New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-08
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
THE SOUTHERN CONSPIRACY OF FRAUD.

THE SOUTHERN CONSPIRACY OF FRAUD.
IF THIS Is BLOODY SHIRT MAKE THE MOST OF H.
To the Fdifor or TIE Trf6uHe.
Sir: There arc many political facts that do not
think have been are being sufficiently emphasized
The chief one of these IS tho immense power which
the Southern States hold I'm Congress and In all
National elections By fraud. Can 1t be that the Re-
publican party, and In fact honest mon generally,
realize AT all the continued farce OF the southern
elections and still sit suplnciy and acqncscc in II
Now do not see any reason why the cry OF bloody
shirt should be raiSed, the cry OF scc;Ona.ism. II
attention is called to tbs perls Of our whole system
Of government by the various methods of fraud that
are openly practised and svowed in nearly ono half
of the States. Men that lay claim TO honesty or
even claim superior political morality, like George
William Curtis coolly say that the methods used
arc unpleasant 10 contemplate and It IS TO be hoped
that they will eventually right themselves Mean
while We so busy assisting the Democrats with
their Civil Service reform that have time to
cenounce methods that not only reversing the
whole Will OF the people but debauchlng the sense OF
honor, II not entirely destroying II, of the young men
Of large portion OF the country.
Politicians OF tho South say: Well the coored men
are not fit for self government. and In sclfdcfcnce
arc bound 10 do somethng-an assertion which l
deny in toto but even admitting their ncapaclty. II
not allowed 10 vote have there votes counted then
with tho least pIetence OF honesty their numbers
should not be allowed TO outweigh the representation
Of the States where honest elections held II Il
admitted that the only chance Of the Democratic party
carrying the Presidential elections by the vote of
the solid South and the Democratic majority In Con
IS only made by the votes OF members who could
by possibility hold their seats II elections were
honest Thus We likely to the Will q: The
people reversed the hcresy Of freetrade policy
thrust the country. and tho most dangerous fnan-
cla theories encouraged.
one would suppose that after a century O, seeing the
evils Of buying all manufactures abroad. and the
poverty that such a country lives In, in comparison
to where all nearly Of the needs Of people
are supplied among themselves, tho Southern States
would awake and see why they have been out
stepped in the OF progress development culture
and wealth. But they seem blinded Ephraim was
not firmly Joined to his idols. so it bchoovcs
the OF the North to awake and for themselves
or the successful policy the world has ever
known destroyed by group of theorists and vison-
aries.
] spoke Of the 'ebanching Of the young men Of the
South by their participating In the frauds. Only a
short time ago in conversation OF the most able
and cultured OF the south. an Governor whose
name Is well Known said with reference to the I'M
bushlng frauds I'm local election that he sadly adj
mitted that the election methods which had been
thought essential were leading to direct results
He said that who took the oath to conduct an
election honestly but who were expected to falsely
their oahs in making the returns and continually did
of their oath In any court Of law, and that X
would inevitably nIure their probty IN their regular
business affairs. Many Of the abest Of the Southern
men, BIO said would be glad to see some way out
Of the position into which they have drftcd, but the
knowledge to certainty OF complete Osracism In
any avowed open change Of position ieters item
but they would gladly the Republican party crush
out the into which they have been led.
think few Of the men at the North realize the
openness with which frauds practsed will
give but Instance or two that eau be multiplied
by the thousand. A prominent rice planter, a
liberal Democrat, in speaking Of the election Of a
certain Congressman whose seat IS in contest,
sad to me OF the four five hundred negroes IN
MY employ am certain that not ten would In any
circumstances vote the Democratic ticket, and there
arc twenty white men in my polling precinct,
at close the election over three hundred
democratic candidate who now holds his seat by
such returns shall not soon forget the look OF
surprise the face OF wealthy ana prominent
Democrat from California who was discussing politics
10 be told by a member Of the editorial stan OF
we'll known southern daily that he had voted
hundred tickets day and had them counted
too and this not in 70 when fraud was supposed
TO be rampant but within the last three years. Now
| say lei the Republican papers. LET speakers on the
things before tho people Do not gave general
assertions but Individual fscts and cases. no mater
II the cry bloody shirt is raised II this Is bloody
shirt make the most Of II. Yours,
NORTHERN REPUBLICAN IN THE SOUTH.
North Carolina, June 20, 1eSo.