The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-20


increase has been any more than the usual
natural Increase occssioned by the steady
growth OF the state. 1t may possibly, also, be
true that there have been few less strikes dur
ing tue past two years than during the preced-
ing TWO years but this may be attributed to
moderation and the good judgment Of our labor
organizations rather than to the effect Of any
tariff law, l know this mnch, that the Demo
cratic party will be entirely content to permit
every worktngman whose wages have been in-
creased since the passage of the Mckinley bill
70 vote The republican ticket If our opponents
Will consent that all those whose
WAGES HAVE NOT BEEN INCREASED
shall vote the democratic ticket and upon that
OASIS we will carry the country by 1000. 600
majority. We should not, however, permit our
position to be misunderstood. We are not seek
ing power upon calamity issue, but with all
good citizens we rejoice in the prosperity OF the
country and trust that It may continue, bus we
insist that the country has been prosperous, not
because OF the Mckinley law, but in spite Of it
OF protection cannot much longer stand against
the tremendous pressure of public sentiment
for its abandonment. The cause of industrial
emancipation 1s marching on. There is another
issue in this campaign of equal If not greater
Importance than the tariff, which affects the
rights and liberties of every citizen.
THE FORCE BILL ISSUE.
The Republican party seems to be irrevocably
committed to the passage of a federal elections
bill, generally known as the "force bill,' and
thoughtful and patriotic members of that or
ganization that it is piece OF political foolish
ness, only equaled by its mendacity there has
appeared for them no escape from its advocacy.
1t IS an impeachment Of the good sense Of the
republican leaders that they should press the
consideration of so offensive and unwise a
measure at this or any other time, especially
tn IN view sTsrv Of ota the fact fact now apparent
prevents their party from receiving a single
electoral vote in third of the states of the
union and, although as partisans we may re-
Joice at their folly, yet as citizens we deplore
the threatened attack upon the free institutions
OF our country, never before so imperiled
A MENACE TO LIBERTY.
The bill has been well described as menace
to liberty"-the liberty Of the north as well as
the south, the liberty of black as we'll as the
white, the liberty OF every citizen, no matter to
what party he may happen to belong 1t is
conceded that the measure is without a prece-
dent IN the history OF the country. For over 100
years the government has been successfully
conducted, yet no such measure as this had
ever been proposed. The Republican party, in
the days OF its greatest success and glory, had
never ventured to suggest a scheme OF this
days Of its prestige and honor, under honest
leadership and with patriotic methods, it ap-
pealed to the intelligence, loyalty and emotions
OF It's followers to sustain It's supremacy, but
not to fraud, force, federal bayonets or arbi-
trary procedures against It's opponents. Ihave
not time tonight TO enter into any elaborate
presentation of the details Of this bill.
PARTISAN CONTROL OF ELECTIONS.
1t is sufficient for us to know that the only
purpose of the measure is TO control, for parti-
san advantage our elections-state and federal
Chief supervisors are authorized to employ
whatever United States troops they may deem
necessary, at the polls or elsewhere,
for Tor the ;neo PUP purpose r,o Of carrying the
zens may be ruthlessly invaded and swarms
Of officials: strangers 70 the people of the local
ity, may be employed; arbitrary arrests with.
out warrant may follow. old men may be
dragged to distant courts upon technical
charges tolerated under this law the decisions
OF state and local courts may be set aside; fed
ersl officials are 70 take part in the count and
may handle the ballots and
REIGN OF TERROR
may be instituted whereby legitimate and
honest electors may be intimidated by well
concerted and obnoxious display of govern
mental power. This ia an epitome of what
may be attempted and accomplished under the
Davenport scheme to promote "the purity of the
ballot-box in the several states of the union
The law would be expensive in its operation and
dangerous In its enforcement. and is of doubtful
consttutonality. IL would drag judges into
politics, degrade the army, weaken the respect
for federal authority, provoke conflicts between
the races as well as between the people and the
military, and the present era of cOnciliation and
good feeling would be superseded by the preva-
lence Of a spirit of bitterness and hate.
DEMOCRATS WANT FREE ELECTIONS.
The bill is a desperate attempt to prop up the
failing fortunes of a once great political party
II was conceived in political animosity, Is urged
from the narrowest and worst OF motives, and
Is unworthy OF a place among the statutes
OF the American republic. The Demo-
cratic party desires free, honest and fair
elections everywhere. Il desires them not
merely because they would inure 20 its benefit
but upon the unselhsh and high ground that
they are essential TO the preservation of our
free Institutions. Our party has suffered much
in the past from the corrupt and tyra naical
election methods of our a1versaries The Re
publican party is party Of wealth, plutocracy,
Of corporate influence and Of protected moRop-
olists
THE PARTY OF THE PEOPLE.
Ours is party of the plain people, men of
country" We have Mother disposition nor
means to corrupt our elections, and our party
has been foremost in all the laudaole efforts Of
recent years to place upon our statute books
those reform election laws under
which corruption, bribery and intimida-
tion are rendered difficult if not i'm
possible. There has been no such
condition of affairs at the south as to Justify
the enactment of the Davenport measure. 1t is
true that colored people in large numbers are
there voting the democratic ticket, but this af-
fords no sufficient reason for taking away from
them, or from us, the control OF their or our
elections. The colored people were not freed
from slavery to become the slaves OF the Re-
publican party.
THE SOUTH LOYAL
The south is loyal, honest and capable, aud If
permitted as II should be, 1t will work out its
social and other problems in its own way with
out injury to the colored race. injustice to the
north, or TO the Republican party, or danger to
the elective franchise In any event, the majority
of the American people will never approve the
measure which threatens their liberties. legal
ICES unfsirness and absolutely guarantees parti-
san victories to the unscrupulous party that
dares 30 enact IT, Fellow citizens, / need not
urge you to the performance of your full share
in this campaign. Kings county was never
known to
iFALTER IN ITS DUTY.
The interests involved demand the greatest
sacrifices and our highest and best efforts. 1t
is the welfare OF the old Democratic party, which
we all love so well, which is at stake. plead
not for individuals, but for the cause. In great
contest like this men are nothing, but principles
are everything, Our candidates represent our
principles and our principles cannot prevail
without the election Of our candidates The con
test may be q severe one, but so much more
glorious will be the victory IL we win. You
need have 20 uneasiness-"the old guard" will
do its duty Look out for the new recruits. l
believe that large majority of the people Of
this country are convinced OF the rightfulness
of the democratic principles and want them to
prevail. But the election will not win itself,
and there must be complete organization.
OUR DUTY TO ORGANIZE.
repeat the injunction l uttered before the
democratic state convention at Albany in
February last, 1T is our duty to organize,
organize, organize" With this motto inscribed
upon our banner, public office is a public
trust" supplemented by other sentiments
which l have endeavored to present
to You tonight. mo public taxation