Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1889-03-09

not as vet taken control OF elections in that case
over which the constitution gives it jurisdc
ton, but has accepted and adopted the elec
ton laws of the several States, provided pen
alties for their violation and a method Of su.
pervision. Only the inetficency OF the State
laws or an unfair or partisan administration OF
them could suggest n departure from this
policy. It was clearly, however, in the con
temptation Of the trainers of the consttut or
that such an exigency might arise, and pro
vision was wisely made for it, The freedom
OF the ballot is condition OF our national
life and no power vested in Congress
or the executive to secure or perpetuate 1t,
should remain unused upon occasion, The
people Of all congre essional districts have an
equal interest that the election in each shall
truly express the views and wishes OF a ma
lority Of the qualified electors residing within
IT, The result of such elections are not local,
and the insistence Of electors residing in other
districts that they shall be pure and free does
not SAVIOR at all OF mpertnence. IT, in any
of the States, the public security is thought TO
be threatened by ignorance among electors the
obvious remedy is education. The sympathy
and help of our people Will not he withheld
from any community struggling with special
embarrassments or difficulties connected with
upon lawful lines and are premoted by Just and
honorable methods. How shall those who
practice election frauds recover that respect
Tor the sanctity of the ballot which is the first
condition and obligation of good citizenship?
The man who has come to regard the ballot
box as iugglers hat has renowned his allie
glance.
Let MS exalt patriotism and moderate our
party contentious. Let those who would die
for the flag on the field of battle give . better
proof Of their patriotism and higher glory TO
their country by promoting fraternity and jus
tice. A party success that is achieved by un-
fair methods or by practices that partake Of
revolution is hurtful and evanescent even
from a party standpoint. We should hold our
differing opinions in mutual respect and, hav-
ing Submitted them to the arhitrament Of the
ballot, should accept an adverse Judgment with
the same respect that we would have demanded
of our opponents il the decision had been in
our favor
mo other people have government more
worthy OF their respect and love or a land so
magnificent in extent so pleassnt TO look upon
and so full OF generous suggestion TO enterprise
and labor. God has placed upon our head dia-
dem and has laid at our feet power and wealth
beyond definition or calculation. But We must
not forget that we take these gifts upon the con.
dtion that justice and mercy shall hold the
reins OF power and that the upward avenues of
hope shall be free to all people.
~ do not mistrust the future, Dangers have
been in frequent ambush along our path but we
have uncovered and vanQuished them all. Pas.
sion has swept some of our communities, but
only to give usa new demonstration that the
great body of people are stable, patriot and law
abiding No political party can long pursue
advantage at the expense OF public honor or by
rude and indecent methods, without protest
and fatal disaffection in its own body.
The peaceful agencies Of commerce are more
fully revealing the necessary unity OF
all our communities, and the increasing inter
course of our people is promoting mutual re
spect We shalt find unalloyed pleasure in the
revelation which our next census will make OF
.he swift development of the great resources OF
some Of the States. Each State will bring its
generous contribution TO the great aggregate OF
the nations increase. And. when the harvest
from the fields, the cattle from the hills, and
the ores Of the earth shall have been we ghed,
counted and valued, we will turn from them all
TO crown with the highest honor the State that
has most promoted education, virtue, justice
and patriotism among its people,"