Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-20
Elections in the South.

1t is becoming more and more evident
that the old cry of 'negro domination" hal
lost its force as Democratic rallying cry
in the Southern states. The masses there
will no longer be deceived by appeals
t, race prejudice. Again the shadow of Ben
Tillman is over that section. The old line
aristocrats who have lorded it there in
times past are haunted by the spactre of
men emerging like the doughty governor
Of South Carolina, from the ranks of what
they have been wont TO term the Glow
er orders" to become masters of the sit
uation. Such men are adopts in the
political methods that have obtained
in the South. They have learned their
lessons thoroughly in the Democratic party
and have fought under cover of its name.
They have done the dirty work for the old
leaders, and understand it thoroughly
The growth of Populistic doctrines in
the South has brought many of
these men to front, and, with their
thorough training in Democratic meth
DDS they constitute most serious men
ace to Democratic peace of mind. The
old Bourbon leaders are not too arrogant to
appreciate the fact that once intrenched iu
power, with the privilege of counting the
ballots, such men could extend their lease
of power almost indefinitely. Hence it is
that there has come in the South, at this
late day, loud call from prominent
leaders of the Democratic party for honest
elections. The old ballot box suffers have
turned reforners. Self preservation has
proved powerful simulant to virtue j.
their cases. Hoke Smiths paper, The At
lanta (Ga.) Journal gives expression to the
noble purposes of this new born zeal as
follows:
We have every reason to believe that the
election of last Wednesday was fairly con-
Quoted in almost every county, and the re-
suit undoubtedly indicates the will of the
people. Still, there are charges that in p
few localities fraud was perpetrated. and
we fear that there is good foundation for
the assertion. The result was not affected
and the Populists almost unanimously con-
cede that they were fairly beaten. But this
is the time to say that hereafter and forever
the ballot must be held sacred in Georgia.
The man who hampers with it must be con-
sidered public enemy.
The era of addition, "diyision and ST.
lence' in Georgii has passed, never to re-
turn. No party can afford to win offices
by counting votes that were never cast or
by miscounting those that were. The
Democracy will control Georgia, we are
confident, for an indefinite period and it
must control it fsirly. The party in which
the people of this state have placed
such implicit confidence must make
honor the rule of its action. If nee
essary, the Legislature should pass new
and more stringent statutes for the ro-
lection of the ballot, and the courts should
punish without mercy those who dare to
violate the expressed will of the people at
the polls.
The Journal proposes to fight for fair
elections, municipal, state and national and
to expose and denounce anything that
savors of fraud in reference to the ballot.
Corrupt election methods are not only dis
grace, but they strike at the very root of
the peoples liberties and rights. Down
with them