Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-11-01
THE VALUE OF AN OATH.

Why should an oath be considered less
sacred when it comes with politics than
the other affairs of life ? Can it be posi-
BILE that fidelity to party or the advance
ment of mans political interests will
Justify him in treating lightly an oath
which he has taken to honestly and faith
fully discharge the duties of an officer and
citizen ? Are political leaders to be up
held in the Jesuitical idea that the end
justifes the means, the end being the sue
cess of their party, no matter how obtain
ed This seems to be the idea of the
modern Democracy in Virginia, if we are
to Judge it by the way that Democratic
election officers in this State violate the
oath which they take before acting at any
election.
Section lis of the General Election Laws
Of Virginia provides, that before any
Judge of election enters upon the perform
ance of any of the duties imposed upon
him by law, he shall take an oath in the
following form-towit 81, A. B., judge
of the election, do solemnly swear that
will perform the duties of judge of election
according to law and the best Of my abiii
ty; and that ! llH studiously endeavor tC
prevent fraud, deceit, and abuse in con
Quoting This election" -<
How has This. solemn oath been kept!
Let the answer be made by the leading
Democratic newspapers OF the State, who
last Spring used as their chief argument
for making new Constitution the neces-
sity for stopping the election frauds that
were becoming so widespread, so COM
mon in Virginia. Democrats no longer
deny these frauds, but try 10 make excuse
for them by talking of negro supremacy.
There Is not negro vote in Dickinson
county, nor one in Buchanan county, and
yet Democratic judges of election cheated,
violated their oaths in these two counties
two years ago for Rhea. We have also
been informed that Democratic judge Of
election at a precinct in Russell county
recently stated that they had stolen votes
at his precinct for Rhea two years ago,
and we've going to steal votes for him at
the coming election.
We do not pretend to say that all the
Democratic judges of election in Virginia
are dishonest or that majority of them
violate their oaths; but we do say that a
great number of them are and do, and
that the Machine protects them. 1t is
also evident that these men are selected
because of their lack of integrity and for
the very purpose of cheating. The law
under which they are appointed and act
was made for fraudulent purposes; and,
instead of encouraging them to keep their
solemn oath, directs them by its numer-
GUS opportunities and suggestions, to
ststdiously endeavOr 10 stimulate fraud, deceit
and abuse IN conducting elections. The
Democratic Machine has been jealous
aud capable teacher Of fraud, and it has
found enough apt pupils to manipulate
the ballot boxes in every district in the
State successfully. There will be a day of
reckoning for the scoundrels who violate
the sacred oath of election officers, as well
as for the leaders who encourage and up
hold them. The average Democratic vo-
ter who is honest in all bis business affairs
anu cldllDS W Dc du upilBub ClIiICh anu
knows of the disreputable manner in
which elections are conducted by his par
ty, yet declines to raise bis voice against
the crimes, becomes a silent partner in
tie transactions and will some time have
to answer for it. For fear of injuring his
party he stiles his conscience and con-
dones crime. We all know that the De-
mocrac1 in Virginia has for long time
ceased 10 regard frauds in elections as a
crime. and treats the violation of an oath
bv an election officer as trivial matter.
You men in the. Democratic party who
have claims to be considered honest in
your politics, place your hands on your
hearts and answer truly: sis this not
so?' i@s
If we stop 10 consider what the leaders