Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-07-26
FEDERAL ELECTION BILL
SPEECH OF
HON. D. B. HENDERSON
INFAvOR OFHONEsTELECTIONs
THE ISSUES CLEARLY DEFINED.
BOURBON FRAUD ANDTRICKERY
TO THE REAR.

AOAO auPCh Ottu0 Ouefue, lOucnlng
the happiness and the prosperity OF
our people has engaged, or can en-
gage, the attention of Congress than
the measure that is now presented for
our consideration. The spirit that
should characterize the discussion of
that question should be broad, fair.
friendly, manly, and truthful. l re-
greet to note very much what has
been said, not only here in this dis
cussion, but elsewhere, that the idea
prevails and the belief exists in some
portions OF the country that there is
an unfriendly feeling in the North to-
wards the citizens of the South. l
do not believe that that feeling ex-
lists. For myself 1 can say that at
no period in my life have / entertain
ed such feelings. 1t is believed bv
some that the Republicans of the
North entertained a bitter and nm
friendly feeling towards our South
ern neighbors. At no time in my life.
even when we were brought into the
closest and most dangerous rela-
tions, did entertain such a feeling:
and L believe in saying this that /
represent Northern sentiment on the
subject in the Republican pe.rty. /
know, too, that in saying this rep
resent, in strong degree, most of
those who in the darker davs came
closest to our Southern neighbors.
But, Mr.. Speaker, it does not fol-
low by any means tat because we
feel thus friendly towards one anoth-
Grand do hope that regard among
my friends on this floor as warm and
generous ones on that side of this
Chamber as on this; / know that |
reciprocate every such generous feel
ing on their part-but what was
about TO say Is it does not follow be-
canse of these feelings which do and
should exist, that what we believe to
be grave wrongs should be treated
lightly | must not be expected TO
say that black is white, or that
crimes are virtues. Il must not be
expected, when feel that am being
wronged. or that those whom rep
resent are being wronged, that am
TO touch but lightly on those wrongs
as though they were but mere trifies.
Let us be kind, but let us be honest
with each other in treating this sub
ject.
THE TRUTH AS 1T Is
Now, Mr.. Speaker, in this connec-
ton IL has been enlarged openly In
this debate and it is hurled broad
rast Into every campaign ia the
country that the Republicans as a
party and that Republican politi-
clans, SO called, agitate this South
ern question in order TO strengthen
and unite the Republican party. /
want TO say to gentlemen who use
that blade that THERE'S a sharp knife
III it's handle if it is not sharp at the
point. No class of politicians in this
country use this Southern question,
so called, more cunningly, more in
dustriously, or more vigorously than
do the leaders In the South OF public
sentiment-the Democratic leaders.
And, gentlemen, / appeal TO this
Chamber which class, if both use il.
which / will admit for the sake of the
argument, and / will not stop to dis
cuss whether both use it honestly or
not, but / will concede even that for
the sake of the argument-but where
Will this agitation be most effective?
Will tell most where most education
exists; where there is the broadcast
enlightenment; where every home is
the repository of a newspaper, and
In close companionship with the
school-house and the church? l ap-
peal to the statistics of your coun-
try to show where the demagogues. as
these people have been termed. who
use 1T can be most effective. Consult
the statistic and gentlemen will find
where the temptation exists for usinp.
that argument.
But, sir, | go further on that sub
lect. | say tina that party or that
politician who uses the argument
without having foundation of
truth for its use employs a weapon
which will, in time, react upon him
who draws the blade. Broad and
liberal discussion, the growth of edu-
cation, and the exchange of ideas
will lead this country finally to the
truth; and if it be true that great
wrongs are being perpetrated the
people will eventually see it and
those who use the argument falsely
will finally pay the penalty,
Mr.. Speaker, there are two broad
issues In this contest which | will
name The first question involved is
as to the rights of the community,
the people as a whole; and secondly,
the right of the individual citizen or
member of the Republic. First will
address myself to the rights of the
community.
In touching upon that branch of
the subject, ask, first, what is the
object of this supervisor law? 1t is
to secure the fair elections of menu
bers of Congress. 1t is to permit the
sovereign citizen to freely and fairly
exercise his sovereign right at the
ballot-box. The object is not to throt-
tie the liberty of the citizen, az some
have been bold enough to say, but
the object is to see that the broadcast
liberty shall be obtained wherever q
citizen of the Republic seeks to exercise
his highest right of sovereignty.
The object of this law is to enahle