New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-02
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL.
NATIONAL ELECTION LAW.
IMPERATIyELY NEEDED FOR THE SAFETY OF
THE NATION.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir Are we, not. As matter Of fact.
government Of the people. by the people and for the
people, II we correctly decide this question, we
then logically decide whether the people have
the rght-and ought to be permitted to exercise itof
voting for Officers 10 carry the peoples policies
Goth Of the erca political parties the habit of
picfacinc their annual party platforms with an affirm
ativc view Of the above proposition. and yet when the
time for election Of officers the Democratic
party-especialiy Of the Southern States-immcdately
announce through their newspaper, that by The
people" they mean only those Of certain complex ions
and having certain political opinions. In other
words they boldly declare that this is white mans
government and that the 100000 tawny skinned
American citizens who were born and nurturcd under
the stars and stripes, and who arc now and have
always been loyal to the flag, have none of the po
hcal rights that a Bourbon Democrat Is bound TO
spec.
\ conspicuous leader Of this view is our own
Memphis Avalanche an Influential daily newspaper
owned by the James Phclan. contestce in Congress
recent challenger Of his brother Democratic editor Mr.
Fleming, Of Knoxville. and author Of history Of
Tennessee which his party has been asked to adopt in
the public schools Of the State what does that paper
think Of the political rights of large class of American
citizens? That majorties shall not rule when such
majorties may happen TO be composed largely of Re
publican negroes This paper has never objected to
coored Democratic votes but only after years Of per
suascn having failed to induce them to vote with its
party, now insists that Republican negroes shall have
no part nor lot In the Government. They may be
quircd to do service in defence Of the National Govern
mcnt bur they shall not be protected in their lawful
rights after having 80 served it, Now what sort of
position is this for great Nation take toward her
citizens Yet this is what the United states IS now
doing suffering 10 be done. i THIS Nation 10 be
pcrpctEatcd on the rotten foundation OF injustice
las any Nation ever long endured built upon such
basis II is not claimed that every Republican in the
United states is sufficiently intelligent and sensible
wisely to hold oricc Is every Democrat so? Is
ignorance any greater bar to citizenship in dark than
in fair skim is rot orr Government based wholly
the theory ~ majority rule and not the majority
always comparatively p)or and ignorant. always less
educated and intelligent than the minority
Tho Nation must change its Constitution or else
permit it, citizens. II no matter what political faith
10 vote according to their honest convictions Can IT,
dare it, consent that any particular political party. in
any part Of the country shall prevent other party
from casting and honestly counting their constitutional
voteSi bourbon Democrats are openly. now, In
Memphis and many other places announcing this as
their party policy. Now, what IS the dominant party
IN Congress gong TO do about IT. VIII this bourbon
political vany be permitted to proceed and no ehoft
be made To countcract II, do not cannot. believe
H. what then is To be done The way seems to
me a. clear the MONDAY sun. Let Congress eN
crciso II, constitutional prcrogavc IN the early pass
agc Of National Election law which shall protect the
rights not Of Republicans, not Of Democrats, bnt-o'
every American citizen in each Of bis lawful rights
What nonsense TO talk of any political policy. 80 long
A. loyal citizens prevented by budczers from cX
crc,ng their lawful right Ia vote and 70 be counted
A. IN Memphis and many other places. .
Md II j. now IN no way local question } ou
In Nev York aud other states directly interested
I'm a fair National election here. Take my own ward
In which have voted Tor thirty years a an lllNtra
ton ~ n" last Congressional election. there were
counted about 1900 VOTES. whereas 1000 i the very
largest possible numlCr II contain, Of legal voters
And To-, fairly illustrate also this entire ConsIe>
,oual di,trlc' In which Nr. Phelan claimed 1000
majority MIR Eaton. who vas fairly elected ny
M least 800 majority. Il this sort IF thing % 20
0n indefinitely Arc t. educate our youth into
ITO habits of election thieves baotbOX suffers and
political bulhnIcrS j. Christianity failure or a
u,ih' What sort Of A people IiuSt We expert %
t.comc II permit this monsrons system OF Nilany
10 20 On permanently rUrchuhei
these are grave quest ons. but they must lie answered
sooner or later. They not asked IN the Interest
~ any particular political party tut IN The interest OF
/ tho high civilization which We claim for our grcat
country There BE- hut ono Wise conclusion Tor
an, patriot who believe, In executing duc measure
of exact justice and that Is that National Election
law 4 now q burning necessity: am unlcSS tlr he
puirau majority In Congress hall give rs one.
/ van, to 60 on record here and now a prophet.
,,ln expects 10 the party in the next NauoA1l
election showed deeply under that complete thaw
NAV not be- anticipated for many year, 70 conc.
WILLIAM X. MOORE.
Memphis Tenn. June -. 1880.