The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1894-02-01
FORUM OF PUBLIC OPINION
Issuf-s IN TIE-~Exr CAMPAIGN.
EDITOR THE CAUCASIAN:

EDITOR THE CAUCASIAN:
/ have just read letter in your
valuable paper over the signature Of
James Mcpherson Templeton, that
contains some valuable suggestions.
/ be writer is well Informed on Il G
election methods in this State, and
like every patriot should DO, coLt
ont boldly for reform.
The manner in which elections
have been conducted aud results an
bounced in North Carolina during
The past ten years-espec,ally during
the last SIX years-is disgrace q
the State and ceproach To onr civ
liza ion. 4 recital Of instances
where gross frauds. have been perpe-
trated Is wholly unnecessary, because
10 truthful citizen, | care not what
MS political affiliations NAV be, will
have the temerity to deny their per.
prcration.
When men are appointed to office
IF honor and responsibility as ID re,
ward for executing the fraudulent
methods conceived and suggested BY
wiser heads; when those who have
been commissioned by the people of
the State to mold the scales of just
Ice in equal poise, frequent the head
quarters Of designing politicians un-
der cover Of darkness and there in a
semi-otiicial way suggest how honest
citizens may be defrauded of their
right to vote, at the same time en-
Joining the utmost. secrecy; when
men descend from their high leglsla-
tive positions aud actively partici-
pate III defrauding citizens of their
own cOuDtieS out of their votes;
when members Of our State Legi:la-
ture are elected from seats to which
they were fairly and honestly elect,
cd, to make place for some Suppliant
tool Of an egotistical boss; | say
when these things are done here in
good old North Carolina, is 1t not
time to call halt?
" hat is known as the Democratic
party-the Bourbon element-does
not embrace majority of the voters
Of tie State by many thousands; but
they manipulate the election ma
chinery IN their hands and the infa-
nous eletion laws as their license,
there will be no more honest cleo
ti0ns in this State until that party is
dethrOned and driven from power.
Can this be done? 1t can when
men lay aside past prejudices, cease
to be selfish and look only to the
good of the country and the State
and the prosperity and welfare Of
their fellow citizens.
Every question = National and
State-should be subordinated to q
single issue-fair elections. Com.
pared with this, everything else sinks
inUo insignicance. We may differ on
the tariff, on the free coinage of sill.
yer, and perhaps on some State issues
of minor importance, but on the
question of fair elections every
eIector having the right to cast ont
vote, and have that vote counted as
cast-we can all agree.
There are thousands of good citi.
zens who have IN the past voted the
Democratic ticket from inherited
prejudice. who have become disgust
ed with the practices of the past few
years. They are ready to join hand.
with US III our efforts to purify the
ballot box.
Just how we can all get together
and present a solid front is a matter
Tor serious and mature consideration
| have 40 plans to suggest. If
should make a suggestion 1t woult
be very much like the suggestion o.
President Grant when the Sec etar'
called to consult with him about tht
| resumption Of specie payment. Whel
asked MS views the President replied
"Ihe way to resume is to resume.
So | say the Nay to get together il
to get together.
The opposition in the coming
campaign TO the Bourbon Democra
cy should be represented by singl
ticket for each Office to be voted for
| We dc not want Republican ticket
/ "a Peoples party ticket and Prohi
bItion ticket to divide one for US
Put forward the very best men W
have, irrespective of past party affili
ations. If Il Democrat who is will
ing to GO with US is tie choice of th
people, put him forward. If a mem
Der Of the Peoples party is the mos
available man select him. If a Re
publican can best represent the pee
pie his former affiliations should b
no bar to his selection. However, a
above stated, this is a matter tha
fShould receive serious consideration
and | would be pleased to see it dis
cussed IN your paper.
4 REPUBLICAN.
Eagle Rock, Wake Co,
Jan. %, 1894.
DrCuTEnES DEMsND