The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-05

machine system, and through that means
the public would be educated I'D to full
knowledge of the situation. He was un-
der an impression that this situation was
not generally understood. But that was
nothing to him for the moment. The
Republicans in Congress were bound to
act up to the light of their present
knowledge, and to trust that the constit-
uencies that they represent will more
than approve when tile explanations are
made to them.
The Senator was asked if there was
anything in the bill which would Justify
the use OF the army or the bayonet at the
polls.
He replied that this was another Of the
lies told concerning the measure. The
army was now so restricted in its uses
that II mob were Tomorrow to attack
the treasury of the United States TO sack
IL the President would have no real
authority to call to its protection the
troops from Fort Myer. Undoubtedly
the President would exercise doubtful
authority under such circumstances, and
be fully justified, but the fact remains
that he would have no real authority.
The army was thus restricted by the
Democrats when they came into power
following the election of Mr.. HAYES.
During the year 1878 they made Just such
a fight as they have made now on the
election laws, which were then on the
statute books. These election laws were
repealed in all of their essential pro-
visions, and to secure the approval of the
Republican President, were placed in the
appropriation bills, The Democrats
threatened the country then as they do
now with the possibilities of an extra
session. The Democrats adhered to their
plan and the President vetoed the appro-
priation bills. This resulted in the ad.
lournment of Congress without provid-
ing for proper maintenance of the Gov
ernment. An extra session was called,
and i'll that extra session such cOnces-
sions were made as to result practically
in triumph for the Democrats. The
election laws were nullified. And prac-
ucally with such notification went the
constitutional amendments following the
war, passed for the protection of the
colored man i'll his newly acquired
rights.
Then, in your Judgment, the war
was practically fought in vain?'
1T practically was, so far rs the break
ing down Of the unrepublican system of
acquiring political power built up by
these slave-hOlding oligarchIes is con
cerned. This association of political
conspirators threatened before the war
that they would wreck the Government
and divide the country if they could not
have their own way. They were ready
to go to war then when their political
power was threatened, and Judging by
their threats and their demonstrations,
they are to-day as ready for similar
situation, If they cannot retain absolute
power. Whether it is good policy to
contest the claims of these gentlemen is
a subject do not care to discuss. 1t is
a question of principle higher than any
question of policy. 1t is a situation that
will not be permitted to endure when
once the public realizes what the South
is doing and proposes to do. The legis-
lation which we proposed provides fOI
nothing more or less than the supervision
of the count of the votes in a congress
sional campaign. In the case of any dis
pute between federal supervisors and the
local authorities as to the correctness OF
the result this question will be tried be
fore judge who holds his place for life
In other words a United States circuit
| judge. He may be in some cases a Dem
ocrat and in some cases a Republican
He will hear simply the evidence ant
will decide the primd fdcie case only
His decision will simply determine tn,
fact who shall be placed upon the roll
of the House as ~, ERmber. The Hous,
will have full authority Do. review tn
case and set aside the decision, il 1t S,
wills. In England, where political elec
ton disputes have been settled in tn,
courts during the last 20 years, do no
think there has been a single case decid
cd in the courts which has afterwar,
been reversed by the House of Commons
This is all that we propose to do. Tn
power to decide now the primd tdcie cas-
is in the hands of one man, the clerk o
the House of Representatives. Th
change that we propose is certainly il
the interests of fairness and honesty
Yet, these simple things which we hav
attempted in the direction of honest,
and a system Of absolutism based upoi
dishonesty and fraud have brought iron
the Democratic sources cries of revolu
tionary proceedings and misrcpresenta
tions carried to the verge Of absurdity il
the way OF exaggeration. What we ar
seeking TO do is TO throw light upon thi
system Of the South.