New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-22
EX-JUDGE THURSTON TALKS.
THE NEED OF A FEDERAL ELECTION LAW
,rs1rrrs OF OBSERVATIONS IN THE SOUTH
NO BOYCOTT OF NORTHERN COMMERCE
TO BE FEARED-THE NEGRO EN-
TITLED TO HIS RIGHTS.

Ex.Judre John NJ Thurston, of Nebraska, president
., the National Republican League, was at National
uedouarters in this city yesterday He is consulting
,-h the other League officers 10 the plans OF the
Jcarue for the Congressional elections this fall, ana
savs the League is in fourishng condition, particn-
,arlv in the Western States, and he reports rapu
Growth Of the League in the South Since the Natona'
convention was held at Nashville last spring hundreds
Of Republican clubs have been formed in the southern
states lie attributes this rapid growth of Republican
c,uhs in that region to the prospective passage OF the
Federal Election bill, and predicts great discourage
ment among southern Republicans in the event oi inc
failure of the bill TO become law in time lor inc
coming election.
Judre Thurston has travelled over 10000 miles
through the United states during the past year. ana
has had unusual facilities for studying the pohuca
situation Concerning public sentiment ana inc pro
posed bill he expressed himself freely as follows.
Al hone and believe the Senate will pass the teie7
Election law. The grand party born OF corVct'o" "uu
,onrare must not perish of cowardice. Popular gov
eminent is based upon political freedom ana olu"ii'S
In it the unit Of power is indvldua olu]cnsnip ""V
hat unit * s,,ppressed liberty is dead The negro Is
NOT permited to vote in a large part OF inc oo"~i
By intimidation, violence blooushe" anu Ii'''o' u
right Of citizenship is denied ms lact Is hoV oiH
conceded IL is exulngy proclaimed by the Democrat"
Marty of the South, and the power OF Une ->"uo" "
onon,v deGed What Is to be done? VIII the con
,ccnc. which would not tolerate the aucton-bock ana
the whpping-post submit to the graVer CRIME "nt'N
s neither excused by inherited belief nor permitted ny
constitutional provisiOn7 The negro of TO-DAY was
horn In this country he is native American ne mas
ALWAYS shown himself loyal and devoted 10 our gov
eminent His citizenship was awarded him on bloody
fields by the judgment of bayOnets. The Republican
marty was sponsor at the altar OF MS baplSm In'o
freedom and it is responsible for his safety ana cquanV
AZ every ballot box opened under the stars ana opes
what is the proposed Federal Election lawl 1t is
a measure guaranteeing to every American citizen Ill
every state of the Union, the right to cast ana nave
counted one free ballot at each Congressional election
This law will not be enforced where elections are free
II can only be used to prevent crime. No man com
plains of law against larceny but the thief NO man
or party will protest against so just and harmless
measure unless he it is meditating political crime
who in the Republican party opposes lis passage !!
The commercial interests Of certain Northern cities
These commercial interests opposed the slavery
agitation: they opposed the election Of Abraham LIN
coin: they opposed the Emancipation Proclamation;
they opposed every measure intended TO save the
rnion The great political battles OF the future can
not be fought and on the money Issues If tho
East is to insist upon protecting It's manufacturing and
business interests by the most radical legislation, While
for a commercial consideration it denies protection to
citizenship, then do not count on the support OF the
West.
The mighty West is loyal through and through
It is ready to protect everything American II VIII
bravelv vote 10 protect American men, manufactures
and money but with il the protection OF the man
come first. This talk that the south VIII boycott
Northern if Congress insists upon enforcing
the Constitution is all The south IS kccNY
alive 10 the fact that it need, Northern capital II l.
fu of white men who respect law and admire bravery
If the North insists upon equal rights for all men, and
has ti- TO enforce them, IL VIII be respected
i'm the south by brave people, who VIII deSplSc II II
its conscience is subOrdHatcd to its commerce -
90 Lot think this proposed legislation VIII &C
couIlish all that claimed, but II Is step III inc
right direction and Republican should hesitate %
support It, ] believe Congress should 90 lurlhef IL
should before il adlOurns reapporon the CogrsNlOha
representation under the new census, ana ii gong 50
IL should reduce the representation wherever the I1s
of citizenship is abridged denied. II has the power
TO do : under the Fourteenth Amendment hlo%
il is claimed that representation can only be reduced
when the right citizenship i denied or abilGSN DN
state legislation. but such is not the lanSudTe Oh ue
Constitution and Congress has the right 10 detcFHi ne
for itself as to how far the electors in any lQcdV
have been denied their franchise II Congress decides
there is denial, It's finding IS absolute, aud II IS
the sole judge Of the election and quahcatOn OF It's
members.
1T j, manifestly unjust that the negro should be
counted for Congressional apportiOnmcnt and sup
pressed al Congressional elections. The south needs
lilo black mans census and ne Is sought for and
counted the forest and the swamp. IT, 10 retain IL
representation IN Congress. il must also have hin
counted the polls. he Will be welcomed by the
shine Of Democratic love, hailed man and brother.
and solicited 10 The Democratic ticket Then VIII
his millennium come. i'm Democratic eyes his ignorance
will DC his best qualification. his cabin Will be safe
his wife and his children, and his song in the cot
ton field Will voice his JOY