Daily Republican., 1890-06-13
A Federal Election Law.

1t 10 now rendered almost certain
that q federal election law will be pass.
ed by the present Congress that will
apply to all sections Of the country,
north. south, east and west, alike
The only real objection in the way ol
threats to the enforcement of such q
law comes from the South, and the
Nor hern apologists for the eouth al
once jump TO the conclusion that the
law would bo a nulliiy. These apollo
gists for Southern slavery when 1t ex.
listed, for q Southern rebellion when |,
was going on, and now tor free trade
because she wants it, will find them
selves as much mistaken as they were
when they were sure the Republicans
would not pass tariff bill.
A federal election law 10 not only
needed in the Southern States but In
many Northern States, and IL 10 diff
cult 10 see what harm II can do In any
State where nothing but honest cleo
lions have ever been held. But 1t 10
In the Southern States where the law
10 m0st needed. In South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Florida. Missis
sippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, for
many years past elections have been
the veriest shams. Solid so called
Democratic delegations have been
sent 10 Congress from those States by
elections In which there was never q
sh ,dow 4 onesty. The great wonder
seems " be that men could be found
who would present their claims to
seats In Congress without wreathing
themselves In shameful bushes.
1'he objection to Democrats in Con
gress from those States is not SO much
that they are Democrats a. that they
were never honestly elected; as that
they were not the choice OF the people.
BY this fraud upon the ballot, several
Dsnocl attic Congressmen were sent
to Washington and Democratic Presi
dent held his seat four years. We pur-
posely refrained from saying that they
we're elected, because they never
were, and there arc fifty Democrats in
Congress now from the South that
have no other right there than fraud
Of tie polls, and violent syppfession
lhG Republican vote giEss them, and
we all knOwAhat tbee6 give them no
right to seats In Congress, whatever
These are the evils q Federal elec.
ton law Is exp c!ed to abrogate, but
we are met upon the threshold OF our
argumentwith tie old steroeotyped cry
started by Tweed In 1879: "What are
you going to do about it," and farther
We are told that the Southern people
would never permit such q law TO be
enforced. Well, let them resist II,
what will you gain by II? No force
will be used by the Government TO Us
sert Its rights. There will be no ply.
sica). irrepressible conflict. The Off.
GERS of REPATRIATION and the supervisors
appointed to hold the election will pro
ceed TO do 80. and they will do !
quietly and peaceably if permitted. l
the buffdUzers who have heretofor,
carried things their own way appeal
and tell them no election can be helt
there or should they by threats drive
the election officers away and destroy
the ballot boxes, SO be H..
All the election officers will have to
do will be to retire and report no cleo
tion held at that place. This will moi
be rs the federal government desires
but II will be as the Southern people
desire and their wishes are to be re
spected in the case. The government
provides the machinery and means b,
which an honest election can be hel(
and by so doing 1t has done all 1t cal
do. If the people will not permit al
election OF that kind TO be held that il
their lookout. The government simpl,
means that no other kind shall b,
held. II the people would rather e
without representation in Congress
that is their choice and their wish viii
= be implicitly obeycd. 1t ia possibl
that tine Southern people may get tire
OF going without representation ate
awhile and be willing to permit peace
able and honest elections to be held
At any rate 1t is the duty of Congret
10 secure honest elections fl
Congressman and President and "
hope 1t will not ialter until this grel
needed want is supplied.