The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-02
MONDAY, JULY q, 1906.
WHAT THE REGISTRATION MEANS.

When the registration books closed a
the city hall Saturday night they contained th'
names of I7,27o citizens. This is not as large
total as was reached in some recent years but i
exceeds that for 1905 by more than 36oo
Such result is particularly gratifying wher
1t is remembered that it has been secured in spite
of obstacles placed in the way OF a large regstra
tion by board notoriousy y partisan and servilely
subservent to boss dictation.
II will bring cheer TO the heart OF every citizen
who hopes for the redemption OF Rhode Island
from the condition of political infamy into which
Braytonism has plunged it, because the great ma
jority of those 1870 men who have qualified
as electors champions OF honest government
and the foes OF the maodorous oligarchy that has
suppressed that sort of government in this COM
monwealth usurped its functions and exercised its
powers with mischievous and malign disregard OF
justice, right and decency.
Though it breaks no record, the registration
for 1906 not only in Providence, but throughout
the state insures the triumph of the forces of
form at the polls next November 1t renders GER
tain the election OF general assembly that will
represent the people and repudiate Braytonism.
1t means that government of the people, by
the people and for the people will be restored and
that government by Braytonism will be whipped
from its entertainments in contumely and dis
grace.
AT last the people have come to realize their
own power-the power that has always been theirs
but which in their apathy and inertia they neg
lected to exercise. No longer they asking that
question of deusion and folly: What is the use?'
They are vocing today that nober sentiment
born of militant neutrality-suspicious. must be
crushed The time has passed when the people
OF this commonwealth will bear supinely the fet-
ters with which corrupt Braytonism has shacked
them.
They know now that to shatter these fetters,
to throw off these badges of ignobe political serv
tude, to regain that liberty which is the inalien-
able right of every American citizen, they have
but to fight manuly and fearlessly the unscrupu-
lous Braytonism that forged them
They know that Braytonism fears them
because it realizes their power They have come
to understand that Braytonsm is essentially cow
ardy. 1t shuns fair and open battle and seeks
success by craft and cunning, by the scandaous
invasion of popular rights and the shameless
debauchery OF the weak and mereenary among the
electorate.
Braytonsm cannot withstand the assault
that the decent citizenship OF Rhode Island is
preparing to make upon it on November g. Al
ready it realizes its peril. It's outward turbulence
is but transparent cloak for its inward despair
Upon the aid OF the Hessans who fastened them
selves on the Democracy in order to betray it for
pay it no longer depend They have been ex-
posed in their treachery. Never again can they
help Braytonism or harm Democracy for the inef-
faceable brand of the political traitor is upon them
Nor can Braytonism depend upon the support
OF honest and sincere Republicans. In shame and
disgust at the niquities for which their party is
held responsible, they aligning themselves with
their Democratic and Independent fellow citizens
They are enlisting for the war not to save Bray
tonism but TO crush it.
Braytonism is doomed BY the magnitude of its
outrages against justice, honesty and deeency it
has reused the people at last to realization OF
their own potency and to a determination to fight
to a finish
That is the plain meaning of the big regstra-
ton secured in the face OF many discouragements
To Braytonism that registration spells disaster
That is why it is no longer the defensive, but
the run.