The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-02
We Reply to the Hon. Whitelaw Reid.

Tho Hon. WnrrEbAw REID grows holder
in his discussion Of the Force bill issue the
further away no gets from the New York
| merchants who enjoy large and profitable
trade with the South. On Monday night
Mr.. REID was at Ithaca in company with
DR.. CrAuNcEY NJ. DEpEw. After DR.. DE.
PEW had jollied tho audience, Mr.. REID
tackled the moro serious matters OF the
canvass. He was in the middle OF tho tarifl
when some Intelligent Ithncan sang out
Force BILL. We record with pleasure the
| fact that tho Republican candidate for
| Vicc-PrcsiGen. did not dodge. Here is
| what he said:
There Is no sGcn thing. ana there never has oesn
There hn, been iii TO provide for tue Federal con-
tro, Of tie election OF Federal Officers Have you any
! objection 10 that You have State contro! OF state
officers Why should not the Federal Government con
troll the election OF Federal ofllccrs'
II is delightful to find so conspicuous a
IrnuLlican standing by his guns. bayoncts
included. Mr.. REDS question goes to the
heart OF the Force bill issue. "Why should
net tho Federal Government control the
election OF Federal officers z"
Because. Mr. REID. the terrible and costly
experience of tho South has shown what
Federal interference with elections signi-
fics and involves. 1t signifies tho alliance OF
lascAlity and ignorance for tho plumber OF
tho States. It signifies disaster beyond
com putation 10 the interests OF great anu
now prosperous section Of the republic;
and disaster. likewise. to all OF those
Northern interests which arc concerned In
tho prosperity which tho South has en-.
loved since it was once before rescued from
Federal bayonets and negro domination.
No repetition or hut chapter OF American
history. If you please. Mr.. EEID!
Because, Mr.. REID. the control OF the
election Of President and Congressman In
tie districts by Federal Supervisors to bully
and harass the voter. Federal spies and de-
tectves to invade the houses OF citizens.
Federal Returning Boards to count tho bal
lots, partisan life Judges to certify the
results and to decide beyond appeal the
contests that arise when the vote is close.
signifies the overthrow OF free suffrage.
1t signifies Republican Presidents in the
White House and Republican Congresses in
the Capitol for an indefinite term OF years.
1t signifies such further enterprises OF GEN.
traization and usurpation as the party in
power may choose to undertake. You may
not see that very clearly now, Mr.. REID.
but your newspaper. the Tribune. frankly ad-
mtted the partisan value Of the scheme
when it urged the Republicans in Congress
not to abandon their effort to put through
measure which carried within itself the as
surance OF future Tariff bills by the hun
dred" The Federal Government should not
control the elections. because Republican
control OF the elections signifies contin-
uous Republican Government Of force and
fraud until such time as the outraged voters
shall break their shackles and arm them
selves for revolution.
Because. Mr.. REID. the Federal control Of
Federal elections involves also the Federal
control Of State elections. county elections.
and municipal elections. DAVENPORT has
shown ON small scale how the thing
works in practice. The citizen who Is seized
voting the Democratic ticket for President
or Congressman. is likewise prevented from
voting for Governor. Mayor. or Sheriff. He
has no astral body which he can send forth
from tho Federal iron cage to exercise In
State and local matters those rights Of sut-
frage which even the Republican Force bill
advocates do not assume to regulate by
Federal law. Locked up as Federal voter,
he Is locked up and disfranchised as clti-
zen OF his State. and as voter in the city
or town IN which he lives.
Does this answer Mr.. REDS question sat
isfactorily? II not. We shall be happy to
give him further information. as extended
and rs specific as he may desire.