The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-07-16
(Springfield mass } Republican. ]
Let the People Speak.

1t appears that strong pressure is brought
upon republican senators to pass the federal
election bill. Speaker Reed on one side and
President Harrison ON the other are crowding
hard to this result. 1t has been believed that
there was a conservative sentiment in the
Senate which would prevent action on the bill.
But where agressivensss ardor and party dis
cipline are on the side of extreme measures.
there is danger that a hesitating opposition
may be swept away by the current. That it be
not swept away. that republican senators be
heartened by the public voice to Withstand the
selfish and dangerous passion of the hour-the
private citizen and the Independent press should
speak with strong voice.
A danger lies in this bill which gives weight
and edge to all the perils that the reckless leg
islation of this Congress has heaped together.
It should be called "a bill to promote sectional
Strife" In that direction lies Its only Power
and possibly great power for mischief. Its
operation will create an antagonism between
federal and local authorities, at hundreds of
polling places. which is sure to generate bad
blood. mutual accusations. bitter hostility and
suspicion. 1t will solidify the whites and the
blacks against each other. 1t will breed quar-
rels of which the rancors and confusions may
very possibly embroil the country. We are in
no danger of another civil war, but if this bill
ucCOmcs law we are III uduStr VI SUCH Wlue-
spread and complicated exasperations will
jostle the nation out of its wonted order and
peace. and change political debate into furious
wrangle.
We speak OF facts as they are. If there were
no prejudice and injustice among southern
whites. if southern blacks a class were intel
ligent citizens-if, in short, the mischief be-
queathed by centuries of slavery had been
cured in a quarter -century-then this bill might
be comparatively harmless. But the South has
lingering and obstinate maladies-and this bill,
pretending 10 cure. exasperates them afresh.
1t is not patriotic in its Inspiration or its pur
pose. 1t belongs to a series of measures by
which q faction is usurping the governm ent of
the country. That faction has enacted a system
of oppressive taxation and extravagant ex-
pense. 1t has broken down the constitutional
defenses of the minority. 1t has allied itself
with the most mercenary forces 1t has Offend
ed the moral sense of the people And now it
proposes a measure perfectly calculated to re-
awaken all the bitterness of race and sectional
hostility. Let that measure be enacted, let it
work its natural result. let the next national
election day yield a harvest of angry disputes
at the ballot-box between state and federal of
fcials-and in the rekindled animosity of North
and South the peoples attention may be sue
cessfully turned away from the issues of finance
and administration. 1--WE have taxed and mis-
governed the people until if we give them
chance to think about it they will send us fly
ing. Divert them. stir up the old southern
question, put the screws on to the South until it
breaks loose and gets the North mad again-and
we may get another presidency out of it!'
Is that program to succeedP is the econom
ical issue to be thrust out by the sectional2 Is
the negro to be again made a cat's-paw for the
Yaolitician2 fha tiOn he
tied wholly by partisanship and passion at
Washington. Let the larger mind of the coun-
try be felt. Let the press speak for the people.