Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-06-26

been decided to submit the question 10
full vote of the people, there might have
been other things too disagreeable to men
ton, OF which we should all have been
ashamed after the election was over. The
Democrats would not have permitted the
Constitution to be defeated"
W hat then?
3rd. The suffrage clause Is weighted
down with Temporary" understanding
provision! Now why temporary" If
honorable and justified for Temporary"
purposes, why not for permanent" as
well. Ii is remembered how vicously such a
provision was fought by certain Democrats
and declared as subversve of the most
sacred rights of our people. Does anyone
doubt the intent underlying its adoption?
No pure motive moved it!
Further, what?
4th. The Electoral Boards have been
encouraged and honored to repeat their
work. WHO doubts that they will respond
in kind as in 1898 and 1900? They are
the creatures of partisanism. They are
the willing Instruments of their creator.
They will see to it that the results desired
will not fail. The secret work will grind
out its orders.
9Th. And still again, The new Regis
tration Boards have been appointed by
the Constitutional Convention to do the
partisan work of Democracy under the
infamous Temporary" understanding
clause. There are no Republicans. None
were allowed to be suggested. Partisan
Democrats, with accidental exceptions,
have been selected. There can be no
misconstructlon of the motive. The
meaning is simply that there should be
no obstacle to the success Of their plan to
paralyz9 free suffrage. Democlacy's way
of purifying elections must be unlnter-
rupted! There must be no guards! The
minority shall not be heard! Democracy's
demands must be served Otherwise Re
publicans would have been appointed
thereon.
9th. The law is unchanged; the men
who were involved in the conditions re-
ferred to heretofore are still masters Of the
situation; the methods declared repug-
nant to free thought and elections will do
service again. The Congressional Com
mittee's report that the contestee was
"duly elected" despite what r have quoted
hereinbefore, opens wide the door-and
no one doubts what will be done.
Said Committee asked the General AS
semby aud the Constitutional Convention
to select minority members on the Elec-
toral and Registration Boards. They did
not know our Virginia masters. The re-
sponse was a contemptuous refusal to
respond.
Now considering the premises, what
prospects allure US? They deserve rebuke.
The election will be ian empty name"
In the registration the Democrats will
have no troube-expedition will be the
rule and order. Republicans will be sub
iected to multitudes of difficulties. The
permanency of the registration will operate
to our detriment. What Democrats fail
to do, as indicated, Republicans, discour-
aged, chagrined, Indifferent, outraged,
Inundated, ignored, will neglect. The
impulse and the incentive are lacking
when they realize that they haveno right
of appeal, no prospect of defense against
wrong, and see the probability of recur-
renee of same conditions and methods
that have caused Virginia politics, and
which they have felt.
Here is our danger!
What have we to offer to offset the power
of
lst. The election law aud the known
! methods and practices hereunder?
2nd. The Electoral Boards with their
history and record of infamy?
3rd. The Registration Boards with the
reason for their creation and partisan con-
struction, inviting corruption; unfair deal
ing; ready to respond to the necessities Of
their masters and progenitors; and
4th. The fact that there is no defense
against wrong; no representation on
boards; no prospect of improvement in
the incoming election; no change of meth
cd or practice; and worse than all, no ap
peal that promises reparation, or refersal
and that the laws, the Legislature and the
new Constitution are teaching and en-
couragiDg resort to plans, methods anc
tricks, &C., that mean dishonor, dishon
esty, lying and perjury in public affairs.
Nothing we can honorablY do now vii
defeat such conspiracy. The tyrant has
the people in bis clutches. am tired o
farces. | cannot consent to fight politi
cal party which puts no estimate upor
principle or policy in politics. The revo
luton will come. Our people can wei
afford to await the day Of better condi
tions. The conscience of the people ii
not dead.
This, of course, is intended only as M!
own personal act. disclaim any officia
expression.
Very Respectfully,
STUART F. LINDSEY.