Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-25

We recently remarked that Mr.. HlRRf-
BON aud his party stand on platform
pledged In the event OF Republican tri-
umph In November to put bsyonet be-
hind every ballot and henchman of JoHNSf
Davenport behind every basonet. We did
not expect Mr.. HkssisoS. nor JonxSY
DA,xxronr. nor the Republican party TO
acknowledge that they favored such an
outrage upon the people Of the South. We
knew wsll that the Republicans In their
national convention had covered up their
reference TO the force bill In mass
of yerbisge which would prove that
hill 70 be unobjectionable II the peo-
ple were to accept that reference as
expressing all that the force bill was
expected TO do. Surely nobody acquainted
with the ways of the world and the his
tory Of this Republican patty would ex-
poet us or any other Democrat TO accept
MAHoxK's declaration In favor of "a free
ballot and fair count as expressing the
intentions of the Republican party be-
cnuse the Minneapolis convention tdd in
serted that declaration. or one equivalent
70 IL, In the national platform of the Re-
publican party. The so,,thresi, Virginia
paper. however, seems TO attach some nm
portance to the more words In which the
purposesof the mslignants are attempted
20 be hidden. and charges thst we know
that the Republicans are not pledged to
put bayonet behind every ballot and
soldier behind every bayonet SO we will
quote the words OF tho Republican ma
tional platform, which are as follows
sswc demand that every citizen OF the United
States shall DO allowed to cast one free ana I'M
restricted ballot In ell public elections: that such
ballot shah be counted and retarned as cast,
and that such laws shall be enacted and en-
forced ne win secure 70 svery citizen, BIO he rich
or poor, native or foreign born. white or black,
this sovereign right guaranteed by the Consiitu-
tiop.
"a free ana honest popular ballot, the iust
and equal representation Of all the people, as
well as their just and equal protection under the
laws, are the foundation Of our republican insti-
futions. and the Republican party will never re-
lent It's efforts until the integrity OF the ballot
and the purity OF elections shall Do fully guaran-
fesd and protested In every State
Hero the Republican platform declares
for new laws 70 carry out the intentions Of
the supporters of the force bill. Even the
States are 70 be compelled to carry ont
the force bill and the laws which it is In
tended to pass as soon as the enactment of
the force bill clothes the Republicans with
power TO fortify themselves behind bayo-
nets.
We quote Senator HILL. OF New York, on
this point. In his Brooklyn speech he told
his hearers that there was to be a bayonet
behind every ballot IL the force bill be-
came law. He said:
"The chief supervisors are authorized to en-
ploy Whatever United States troops they may
deem necessary at the polls or elsewhere for the
purpose of carrying the law into effect. Tho
homes OF citizens may be ruihlessly invaded,
and swarms OF ofhciais, strangers 10 the people
o. the locality, may DO employed. Arbitrary
arrests without warrant may follow, and old men
may be dragged to distant courts upon technical
charges under this law. The decisions Of State
and local courts may DO set aside, Federal ON
Gals are to take part In the count and may
handle the ballots, ana q reign OF terror may DO
instituted whereby legitimate aud honest elec-
~tors may be inumldated by weil-concerted aud
obnoxious display Of governmental power"
Senator Hu.L farther said that JOHNNY
DAVENPORT himself was the author of the
force bill. We quote again:
"Ihad the honor OF examining him Johnny
Davenport, and he stated in answer to my
question, 70 The great sur ,riss OF the public,
that he was the bold and sole author Of the mo-
torious force bill
.Mr. Davenport on this same occasion, with
brutal frankness, avowod his purpose 10 have
his bill introduced again Whenever favorable
opportunity should occur, and when asked
what he meant py - favorable opportunity,
he unblushlngiy replied; When tho Bspubii-
cans shall again have q majority In both houses
OF Congress'--aa event not likely 10 occur,
trust. for many years 70 como. In the open and
public expression Of his Intention 10 press tho
measure again 70 must be assumed that he
spoke In behalf Of his party and reflected Its
sentiment
Senator HILL evidently holds that the
Republican are pledged to put a bayonet
behind every ballot and soldier behind
every bayonet.
sIf wishes were horses. beggars might
ride on horseback v; and If professions
were performance, there would never be
any wrongs done TO the people by the he.
publican or any other party.
If the reader desires any further infor-
nation on the subject We are discussing,
Jet him read Mr.. ClxM PAfTEsos's letter
IA Wednesdays DrsPArcH.