New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-29
THE ELECTION IAU.

The discussion in the House, and all the shop
worn untrnths about the execution of the cleo
ton laws in this city, VIII not obscure the es-
sential facts in the controversy. The first is
that the United States election law is absO-
lutcly the only safeguard which the people
have had for their right Of suffrage in many
of the States The knowledge that it could
at any time be enforced. if there should seem
to be a necessity has prevented a deluge Of
such infamics as those by which the people
have been deprived of their rights year after
year in Jersey City and at other points. In
spite of every effort to enforce the statutes
crime and fraud have nevertheless enabled
the Democratic party to steal several Northern
States to which it had not even the shadow Of
a claim. and its purpose in repeating the law
with regard to these and other Northern States
is plain to every man of ordinary sense.
Another fact known TO all is that the law
as it stands is entirely powcrless to prevent
fraud, unless supported by strong body Of
known and respectable citizens. Wherever
good citizens have declared that the enforce
ment of the law was necessary. it has often
prevented a vast amount of raScality and crime.
But throughout the South the willingness OF
citizens otherwise considered decent and re-
spectacle to permit any and every crime for
the sake of the Democratic party has rendered
the execution of the law almost impossible.
Should different division Of parties arise
however, such as is now threatened by the
Populist movement, there would be found ar
rayed against the Democratic party 50 strong
body of white citizens that the law might be
e., +o honest elections
in many localities. The existing law would
then unquestionably be invoked BY many re-
spectacle mon, who would stand ready to up
hold it unhinchingly against the trained ras-
Gals who have manufactured Democratic vic
tories in that section without regard to the
votes cast. When Mr.. Weaver, the late can
didate of the Popuists. attempted wears ago to
organize an opposition to the Democrats in
Southern States he was forced TO return to his
home Inundated, and paSsionatcly protesting
against the systematic crime of the Democratic
party. Now that there is a chance of such
division that honest voters may cast their votes
and have them counted. if they can claim pro
lection under the United States laws, the Dem
ocratic party is ready to perpetrate any ont
rage in Congress in order to have the law re-
pealed.
The blow is aimed at the PopulSts in the
South and at the Republicans in Northern
States. How serious the detection from tho
Democratic PARTY might become if revolters
could hope to have their votes honestly counted
no one can say. But it is evident that the
Democrats Of the South are greatly fright
ened, or they would not act so desperately.
The crime of the Democratic party is not
against Republicans alone, nor against Popu-
lists alone It is crime against every honest
citizen who desires fair election, and it is TO
the lasting shame Of Southern and Northern
Democrats that they uphold and wish TO con-
time and multiply the infamous deeds by which
that party has 50 often prevailed in some OF the
States Men who imperil all other legislation,
even the silver repeal, in order to give cleo
tion swindlers greater license and impunity,
have no right to complain IL their personal
honor and integrity as men are questioned.
The Populsts have helped the Democrats to
a National victory. The question now is
whether they will lie down and submit to he
swindled out of any chance OF success in the
future As for the Republicans, their duty is
to resist the attempt to repeal the election laws
with all the power they have, whether any one
else has the manhood to do so or not.