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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 00144186187i 
 
 Hollinger 
 
 pH 8.5 
 
 Mill Run F03-2193 
 
274 
 R42 
 opy 1 
 
 AN ADDRESS 
 
 I PON THE — 
 
 ELECTION LAW 
 
 — 01 - 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 
 -AND THE- 
 
 Methods Employed to Suppress the 
 Republican Vote, 
 
 by— v "*3*?>' 
 
 Ellery M. Brayton 
 
 Chair. Republican State Ex Com. 
 
 COLUMBIA, S. C: 
 U m. Sloane, Book and Job Printer. 
 59 
 
Fsrf 
 
 Hoi 
 
 . 2;. 
 
<7 
 
 HEADQUARTERS 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Jan. Sin. 1889. 
 
 The recent election rn South Carolina was a miserable farce, and 
 justifies an effort to bring its significance to a knowledge of the 
 people. Out of a vote of more than 120,000, the Republicans were 
 suffered to haw counted hi.it 13,740. This is a dismal confirmation 
 of pre-existing fears. It fully vindicates the confidence of the 
 Democrats in the capabilities of their election system to produce 
 any desired result. The machine is known to operate so effectually 
 that the voters of one party have become apathetic, while those ol 
 the other are disheartened. The result i^ canvassed and discounted? 
 in advance, and the so-called election in but the formal registrj 
 what has been ordained. This knowledge of what is known will 
 happen is the chief explanation of the smallness of the 58,730 votes 
 cast for the Democratic State ticket, which is barely one-half their 
 full number, while the difference between that vote and the Gf),s_- 
 votes cast for the Electors represents some of the false counting done 
 at the Federal polls. So certain were the non-resident Fed; 
 office-holders of the result that none of them came home to vote, 
 and the press despatches noting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury 
 Thompson's visit to the State, said it had beeen deferred for his 
 convenience, he knowing his vote was not needed. Ordinaril) 
 this would appear startling and incongruous, with an opposition 
 majority of 20,000; but it simply expresses the security and in- 
 difference produced through the working of the fraudulent electio 
 s< heme. And vet there is no pretense set up that the Republii 
 have forsaken their party ; and the old tale about their not wantil . 
 to vote, which gulled the countrjj for a time, has been laid asich . 
 Southern leader and the pros have' gained courage and lost sham< . 
 and now boldly de< lare that the preservation of white suprema< \ 
 justifies the suppression and cheating of the Republican vote. A; 
 the ruling public sentiment of the Northern people tolerates and ac- 
 cepts this excuse, they forgetting how the crafty Southern lea< 
 have foo'e.l and deceived them in all other particulars, credulo 
 
adopt as true all the direful consequences portrayed as being in- 
 volved in Republican success. They should .seek the facts, and 
 remember that if all the charges made and fears expressed were true, 
 they would pale before the terrible crimes committed by the Demo- 
 crats before they reached power, and the rank injustice, foul fraud 
 and tyranny they have practiced in maintaining it. Southern men 
 know and admit that while the Republicans are crushed and con- 
 trolled their party ranks are unbroken, and that if the heavy pressure 
 was removed their faithful followers would spring into activity, and 
 present a buoyant, united, aggressive front. The only exhibition of 
 their numbers they can make is in their public meetings and cam- 
 paign demonstrations. Congressmen Taylor and Mason were 
 witnesses to the size and enthusiasm of one of these gatherings in 
 the city of Charleston during the campaign, where they addressed 
 15,000 of as true, devoted and long suffering Republicans as ever 
 stood together. 
 
 The late election demonstrates the effectual suppression of the 
 elective franchise in this State, and the utter futility of contending 
 against the infamous system under which they are held. The 
 rights of suffrage are annihilated. Republicans are robbed of 
 the power to successfully oppose their oppressors. Further con- 
 tention is useless under present conditions. This is hard to 
 be realized by the faithful followers of the party, who, knowing 
 their overwhelming numbers, and conscious that they are ready 
 to respond to any call, do not understand why their leaders 
 cannot march them on to victory. The thoughtful and well 
 informed know that reproach against the skill, courage and gene- 
 ralship of the leaders is not merited as an explanation of the 
 hopeless condition and prospects of the party. The Republicans of 
 the country at large seem likewise ignorant of the abnormal state in 
 which we are placed. It is hoped that some of the Democrats in 
 the State are not aware of the degree and extent of the injustice and 
 frauds perpetrated under the form of law, and have not compre- 
 hended the inevitable effect upon society of pursuing a course so 
 fraught with fraud, injustice and depravity; therefore, it is con- 
 sidered a duty to dissect the monstrous election system in this State, 
 and show up the purpose of its mechanism and the product of its 
 operations; then it will be seen' haw impossible it is to extricate our- 
 selves from the bondage to which we are condemned without resort- 
 ing to revolutionary actions. And if no remedy can be found we 
 may as well disband our organization, and conclude there is neither 
 law, justice nor opportunity for Republicans in South Carolina. As 
 matters now stand, Republicans are political outcasts and aliens 
 
to the commonwealth, and have no right which Democrats will 
 concede or respect. 
 
 The election system in South Carolina radically differs from that 
 of any other state. Its partisan purpose is not even concealed. It 
 openly violates every principle of right, justice and fairness. It was 
 enacted to enable the few required to work its machinery to accotn 
 I lish all that the masses of the party have been able to achieve 
 through lawlessness, fraud and brutal crimes. Its operations commit 
 no breach of the peace nor stain with blood the victors' hands 
 This is its only redeeming trait. There is now no occasion to re 
 sort to the revolutionary methods of 1876, the tissue ballot fraud: 
 1878, nor the wholesale ballot box stuffing of 1830. This intricati 
 and complicated election machinery, as the Charleston Newt and 
 Courier aptly terms it, has fulfilled its mission and proven even 
 letter adapted to its purposes than was contemplated by the 
 conspirators through whom it was invented and constructed. It- 
 principal and most effective featvires are the registration of the 
 voters, the multiplicity of the ballot boxes and the partisan boards 
 of election officers. All are skillfully adjusted and essential for 
 thorough effectiveness, but the registration is the most vital. In 
 the way it is manipulated it is not believed over one-third of the 
 Republicans of the Slate are qualified to vote. This anomaly h;i^ 
 been brought about through the partial and incomplete registration 
 i f 1882, and the obstacles and devices engrafted into the law to 
 prevent those changing their residences or losing their certificates 
 from being re-registered. The registration o( 1882 is the onlj 
 general registration of the voters which has been made or is | 
 vided for in the law. All Republic ans then qualified who were not 
 registered were disfranchised and so rem. an to this day, and there 
 i> no way by which they can become voters. This disqualification 
 would apply as well to the Democrats if there was no! some under 
 und way pointed out to them by which their disabilities are 
 removed. Edward M< Creedy, Esq., the author of the act, in a re 
 cent newspaper interview, called this enrollment of the ele< toi 
 "permanent registration." He should have stated that for those 
 Republicans not then registered i' was a permanent disfranchise 
 ment. This is an unexampled outrage. The spectacle is presented 
 to the lovers of justice, fairness and equality of a forfeiture by law 
 of the constitutional right of suffra rj qualified voter who 
 
 w.is not registered at that original p n; while, in pra< ti 
 
 the disqualification is diminished, but the outrage increased bj 
 being made to apply only to Republicans. Of course this favoritism 
 stered Demoi ratic eta tors implies wrongful complicity, 
 
involving false swearing on the part of the voter, or its illegal omis- 
 sion, apd perjury on the part of the supervisors; but these are venial 
 offences for which Bourbon public opinion offers ready and full 
 absolution. 
 
 However, this flagrant denial and destruction of the elective 
 franchise is made the more startling and subversive of rightful 
 government because of its enormity, as, through its operations, over 
 one-third of the qualified Republican voters of 1882 are irretrievably 
 disfranchised. Such an unheard of condition under constitutional 
 government was brought about in a curious and unforeseen way. 
 It resulted from a conviction that the registration would be a 
 nullity, as it was generally understood the law would be amended 
 or repealed, and the registration thus set aside. A recital of the 
 facts concerning this monstrous iniquity will be valuable as an 
 exhibition of the degree and extent to which partisan cunning and 
 malice have been employed to perpetuate Bourbon rule. The 
 registration and election scheme became a law February 9th, 1882. 
 It provided for a registration of all the voters in the following 
 months of May and June. The law was very unpopular, and by 
 many considered a dangerous experiment. A strong minority of 
 the Democrats bitterly opposed its passage. Two of its provision- 
 were specially obnoxious, namely, the presentation at the polls of 
 the certificate of registration, which was stigmatised asa.pass. and 
 the establishment of eight ballot boxes, and requiring the voter to 
 go alone to the polls and prohibiting any information being given 
 him about his tickets, thereby creating an indirect educational 
 qualification. The law had scarcely been passed before the outers 
 against it from the illiterate Democrats, numbering 20,000, and 
 their sympathizers became threatening. The press and party leaders 
 took alarm at the impending revolt, and demanded the repeal of the 
 law. The Governor yielded to the clamor and called a specia] 
 session of the Legislature, to meet the 26th day of June, to change 
 or repeal the law. As soon as the call was issued registration w;.- 
 practically suspended. When the Legislature met the Democrats 
 consumed three days in caucusing. No Republican had an idea of 
 the devilish iniquity which was being concocted in that secre: 
 conclave. On the last day of June, the final day of registration, 
 the caucus dissolved and the conspirators assumed their legislative 
 functions, and then it was disclosed that the registration was to be 
 allowed to stand, defective and incomplete as it was, and with no 
 extension of time. There was consternation among the Republi- 
 cans. They were completely entrapped, and to this day they have 
 been without redress or remedy. A baser conspiracy against the 
 
elective franchise was never hatched. But its full import was feebl) 
 realized. It was known that at least a third of the Democrats were 
 likewise unregistered. But subsequent events showed that it was 
 part and parcel of the conspiracy that these unregistered Democrats 
 should l>e slyly and secretly registered , while the Republicans 
 should remain disfranchised. 
 
 All subsequent elections have been held under this fatally defe< 
 tive, fraudulent and unconstitutional registration, and the Electors. 
 Senators and Congressmen trace their credentials hack to this tainted 
 and vitiated source. It would seem as if a Republican Plresidenl 
 ind Congress could quickly and effectively find a remedy for right 
 ing this monstrous wrong. 
 
 The full number of the Republicans who for six years have been 
 thus disfranchised is unknown, for the list of voters has never been 
 published nor allowed to be seen, the books being held as sei 
 records; but it is supposed to be between one third and one-half of 
 the total voting population. Fittingly supplementing this bold 
 piece of registration iniquity, are many other unjust provisions in 
 the law designed to operate against Republicans. 
 
 The right to vote is limited to the presentation of the certificate, 
 so that the registration is but a means to an end. There is but one 
 supei visor to each county, and he is invariably a Democrat. The 
 registration lists are not public records, and the names are never 
 published. Of course they are accessible to Democrats. 
 
 The Supervisor's office is open to Republicans the first Monday 
 in each month until July prior to election, for the registration of 
 voters coming of age, and moving into the State, and the issue <it 
 new certificates to those who have lost them or changed their 
 residence. The law makes every change of residence and loss of 
 certificate a temporary forfeiture of the right to vote, and to remove 
 the disability requires a trip to the supervisor's office, perhaps fort} 
 miles distant, and the submission of such proof as the supervisor, in 
 his discretion, may exact. This authority enables the supervisor to 
 be very rigid about the proof, and to put the poor, humble voter to 
 expense in having it sworn to. A removal from one place to 
 another in the same precinct, or from one cabin to another on the 
 same plantation, is construed as a change of residence within the 
 terms of die law. The law appoints no particular place for the 
 supervisor's office, .m<.\ it is frequently impossible to find him. The 
 object of these obstacles and hindrances is to work such annoyam 
 and hardship as to discourage registration by Republicans, while it 
 is made manifest to them that every facility is to be extended to 
 their adversaries. 
 
8 
 
 The most effective plan adopted to restrict and defeat Republican 
 registration, is to delay proceedings and prevent many from receiv- 
 ing their certificates, regardless of the time, distance and expense 
 involved in this useless monthly application. And this device is 
 pursued so generally and practised so systematically, as to make it 
 evident it is part and parcel of a plot concocted at headquarters. 
 The implacable supervisor, when his time to quit work arrives, 
 closes the door in the faces of the negroes, utterly indifferent to the 
 inconvenience, injustice and hardship inflicted. They may have 
 traveled on foot twenty or thirty miles, and lost one or two days in 
 the trip, or undergone the same treatment the preceding month. 
 Reports show that on the first Monday in July, the final day, id 
 every county there were shut out from registration large numbers of 
 would-be voters, in some cases exceeding one hundred, who had 
 borne fatigue and expense to prepare themselves to exercise their 
 elective franchise. This unfair, unjust and cruel device to deprive 
 citizens from enjoying guaranteed rights, is the refinement of parti- 
 san malevolence. And this treatment of Republicans is rendered 
 the more intolerable and exasperating, by the knowledge that 
 Democrats are entirely protected from it. It is seldom that any of 
 that party are seen at the supervisor's office on public registration 
 days, and it is one of the mysteries of that organization how and 
 when its voters are registered. It is, however, known that not only 
 is every facility extended to them to register, but that certificates 
 are sent to negligent ones, and that at the polls there are in the 
 hands of some trusted agent certificates signed in blank to be given 
 out to Democrats needing them. On the last election day there 
 was picked up in the public road of Oconee County a batch of 
 thirty-six blank registration certificates, duly signed by the super- 
 visor, N. C. McDonald, with their serial number exceeding No. 
 0,100, though there are less than 3,000 voters all told in the county, 
 which shows how liberally they have been re-issued. 
 
 This wicked discrimination is far from ending with the unfair and 
 fraudulent action of the supervisors, all sufficient as that would seem, 
 for, under the provision of the law requiring each voter to go alone 
 to the poll, all challengers and witnesses being excluded, the parti- 
 san managers may, and often do, waive the requirement of present- 
 ing their certificates on the part of Democrats, while rigidly exacting 
 it of Republicans, towards whom they stand as detectives and 
 unrelenting antagonists. Is it any wonder in a state where the 
 primary right of registration is so undermined and hedged about 
 with difficulties that the election to which it is a prelude is not and 
 cannot be full, fair or honest? Instead of the registration being 
 
merely an enumeration and location of the voters to prevent repeat- 
 ing and to secure identification, which is its object in states where 
 right, justice and equality prevail, it is in South Carolina a boyc ott 
 of free and Independent suffrage. This defective and vicious schenu 
 of registration is the most potent agency in effecting the strangula- 
 tion of the elective fran< hise. But dovetailing with the registratio 
 iniquity are the other abhorrent features of the law which serve i" 
 crush out the remaining vitality in the remnant of Republicans who 
 have been able to qualify themselves to vote. 
 
 The law sanctions the appointment of Democratic election officer-, 
 exclusively, as is the case with registration officers. It establishes 
 eight election boxes to confuse and mislead the voters. Six of these 
 at one polling place pertain to State and County offices, and two to 
 Federal offices, presided over by different sets of managers, so that 
 United States supervisors cannot be present at the former. 'I 
 purpose of these numerous boxes is to confuse and entrap the illitei 
 ate Republicans. This is accomplished through the provision 
 requiring voters to go singly to the polls, from which witnesses are 
 excluded, and forbidding any information being given as to the 
 ballots. The law says the managers shall give information as t" 
 boxes only. But these officers are always biassed and generally 
 hostile, and no reliance can be placed upon their answers. The 
 Democratic voters are freed from these obstacles, because 
 friendly managers may be depended upon for correct information, 
 and because the need of it is avoided by the plan adopted of pla< 
 the appropriate Democratic tickets on the top of the respective 
 boxes. This privilege is refused Republicans, but if granted it 
 would be a pit-fall, for the ballots would be shifted to the wrong 
 boxes. 
 
 The law makes no provision for witnesses and challengers, and 
 therefore Republicans are not allowed to act in such capacities, but 
 practically there is no restriction upon Democrats so acting, and 
 they nut only do so act but communicate freely with the managers. 
 
 Where Republicans largely predominate the polling places are in 
 sufficient and are inconveniently located. In some instances from 
 inoo to 1500 voters are included within a voting precinct, while I 
 polling places are located at the end instead of near the center.)!" th< 
 precinct. Rails and barricades are erected in front of the pol 
 places, and Republicans are forced to move in one direction wl 
 Demo, rats are allowed to c nine in from the other and chec 1; the line 
 voting until their ballots are cast: and general discrimination 
 against Republicans i- pra tic ed. 
 
10 
 
 The law requires the ballots to be of plain, white paper of a pre- 
 scribed size, without distinguishing mark, color or device, and as 
 no Republican is permitted to be close enough to the managers to 
 scrutinize the ballots or detect wrongful assorting, a tempting chance 
 to falsify the count is offered and embraced. The law provides that 
 when the ballots exceed the names on the poll list the excess shall be 
 first withdrawn before the count begins. This is a wise and compara- 
 tively harmless provision where the excess is accidental or incon- 
 siderable, but in South Carolina no limit to such excess has been 
 reached sufficient to vitiate the poll. This is the provision which 
 gave such potency to the tissue ballots used in 1878, and the whole 
 sale stuffing of the boxes in 1880. It is now held in reserve to meet 
 any emergency. 
 
 The managers finding at the first election held under this law that 
 the Republicans became posted as to the location of the boxes, 
 speedily took to shifting them, and soon became so expert that they 
 « ould change their places with professional dexterity, and then 
 would revel in the fun which the blunders afforded. The Republi 
 cans soon discovered that it was impossible to cast their votes 
 intelligently and safely in all the ballot boxes, and sought in a 
 measure to overcome their difficulties by confining their votes to the 
 legislative box, but as soon as their enemies became aware of this 
 plan they checkmated it by declaring that such concerted action was 
 a conspiracy, and its adoption would be visited by criminal prosecu 
 tion. And when at the last election it was apprehended that the 
 Republicans would try to circumvent the eight box scheme by vot- 
 ing the same kind of ticket in every box, so as to make sure one 
 ticket was in the proper box, it was declared that this would be re- 
 peating under the pains and penalties of the statute. To substantiate 
 this seemingly preposterous statement, attention is invited to the 
 following extract from an editorial headed "A corpse that will bear 
 watching," from the Charleston News and Courier, of September 
 27th, 18S8: 
 
 '■Suppose that the Republicans can succeed in carrying out the plan which 
 has been suggested to them, and which has been mentioned in the News and 
 Courier. This plan is to vote the electoral ticket in both the boxes at the 
 polling place, so as to be sure to have the ticket in the right box This i~ 
 repeating under the law, and is punishable, upon conviction, by fine and 
 imprisonment. But how is the repeater to be detected." 
 
 The consequence involved in threats of this sort in a community 
 where courts are manipulated and controlled by the same vicious 
 and omnipotent public opinion which dominates all branches oi 
 government was sufficient to estop the adoption of these or any 
 kindred expedients. This dissection of the transparently sinister 
 
11 
 
 and fraudulent provisions of the abnormal election system of this 
 State, and the exhibition of some of the atrocious practices in vogue 
 to make the working of the election machinery effective, would seem 
 sufficient to show how completely Republicans are at the mercy ol 
 their enemies. They are bound with legal cords. As has been 
 shown, more than a third of their vote is killed by statutory disfrai. 
 chisement, and the eight box educational disqualification shuts out 
 one-half of the remainder, leaving but about one-third of their whole 
 number to wrestle with the multiform obstacles and hindrances in- 
 volved in securing certificates in lieu of lost ones, or where there 
 has been a change of residence. And finally there remains the 
 certainty that if the emergency requires, the ballot boxes will Ik 
 stuffed, and a false count made. The doom of defeat is inevitable. 
 No state or country affords a parallel to the abnormal, fraud marked 
 and vice sanctioning law of South Carolina. It is sui ^n>ir<> 
 Other Southern states show the same result, but this State alone has 
 the odium of maintaining Democratic supremacy by statuton 
 enactment. The pretended justification for this election system is 
 the necessity of keeping the Negro vote in subjection, and the ad- 
 vantage of compassing it surely and quietly through the operation 
 of law than by the turmoil, intimidation, scourging anil other 
 flection day crimes, which sometimes fail. The effe< tiveness of tht 
 South Carolina plan has been vindicated. So thoroughly has i: 
 done its work that the Legislature contains but three Republicans, 
 all fusionists; and every city, county and i sional district is 
 
 safely in the Democratic vise. 
 
 Rut while the direct result of this f<ml and nauseating fraud has 
 been to paralyze the Republicans, the reflex consequence on the 
 Democratic party and society has been terrible and deplorable, [1 
 has undermined the moral standards and safeguards, occasioned 
 party apathy and bred ring rule. What else could have bee,n 
 expected from a law that is itself a brazen declaration that legalized 
 iniquity and injustice is righteous and justifiable! It pre-SUpposes 
 that official oaths will be broken, the sacred rights of citizenship 
 tampered with, and the sanctity of the l>atlot box polluted. It 
 mv ites fraud and puts a premium on vice, and is impregnated wit": 
 tile doctrine that the end justifies the means. All deeds essential 
 to success are incited, approved, and then condoned. Swoi 
 officers of the law deliberately and systematically plan to be recreai : 
 and dishonest, and commit their misdeeds openly, without any sen>- 
 of shame or fear of f ensure or punishment. Citizens are familiarized 
 with the noxious crimes pertaining to elections, and are taught I i 
 regard fraudulent acts and corrupt practices as neither d< 
 
12 
 
 contaminating. A false code of morals is created and public 
 opinion is depraved. The despoiler of the ballot box does not hide 
 his crime, lor it constitutes a claim to preferment. Ministers of the 
 Gospel dare not inveigh against the sin, nor the prosecuting officer 
 to notice the crime, and a corrupted public sentiment absolves from 
 all guilt. The holy commandments are construed not to apply to 
 the stealing of votes, lying about the ballot, or bearing false witness 
 to election returns. Officials fraudulently counted in complacently 
 swear they were honestly and fairly elected, grand juries stultify 
 themselves, and the body of the people become tainted with the 
 corrupting virus. 
 
 One of the inevitable effects of this career of fraud has come to 
 pass, and is tormenting the Democrats. Their primary elections 
 have become infected with the same corrupt practices which have 
 overborne Republicans. Complaints from all parts of the State are 
 heard of fraudulent election tricks; but this is notably true of the 
 elections in Charleston, Berkeley, Newberry, Marion and Lexington 
 Counties, where such practices were flagrant and excessive. This 
 should have been foreseen, for when society is corrupted and its 
 members defiled by crimes against adversaries, there is no such 
 standard of honor possible as will exempt themselves from being the 
 victims. 
 
 " Ye have plowed wickedness; ye have reaped iniquity, ye have 
 eaten the fruit of lies. " 
 
 Prior to the last election, a formal effort was made by the State 
 Executive Committee to get the Governor to appoint one Republi- 
 can upon the election boards of the State. A delegation waited 
 upon him and presented a memorial embracing the facts and reasons 
 which warranted this rightful claim. It is needless to say a com- 
 pliance was not expected; but there was no conception that the 
 Chief Executive of the State could be so insincere or indifferent to 
 the opinion of those who honor the truth as to proudly publish the 
 following absurd, grotesque and dishonest reply: 
 
 Ftate of South Carolina — Executive Chambers, 
 Columbia, September 29th, 1888. 
 To E. M. Brayton, Thos. E. Miller, Stephen A. Swails, Thos A. Saxon, 
 G. E. Heriot, Committee on the pari of the Executive Committee of the 
 Republican party. 
 Gentlemen: I have carefully considered the preamble and resolution? 
 which in behalf, as you claim, of the Republican party of South Carolina) 
 you yesterday presented for my consideration and action, as well as the 
 remarks made by Mr. Thomas E. Miller, a member of your committee, in 
 advocacy of the same. 
 
13 
 
 In announcing to you the conclusion at which 1 have arrived, it would 
 answer no good purpose that I can perceive to expos< — what mast be evident 
 to thus.- tborougbly acquainted witli the condition i>f parties in thi- State — 
 the fallacious statements of the one and the unsound reasonings of the other % 
 It will !»• sufficient Bimply to say that, in my judgment, a departure from 
 the wisel* established methods and principles upon which these appoint* 
 ments arc made would endanger the continuance of the perfectly free, lair 
 and peaceful elections— the professed object of your desire — that are the 
 proud Iroast and the highest achievement of Democratic rule in this State 
 
 It may with greal truth !><• said that hones! elections are the true test o' 
 I are government, and constitute the only faithful expression of the popular 
 will which it is their sole mission bo elicit. No machinery, however per- 
 fect, can accomplish a result so essential i" representative government with- 
 out the instrumentality of agents, both intelligent enough to thorough! 
 understand the law and t<> carry out its provisions, and <>f that hi.'^h probity 
 of character that will command the confidence of the elector, and be a sur<* 
 guarantee against the evil and corrupt practices once so dominant in this 
 State. These disgraceful scenes and unscrupulous manipulations of election* 1 , 
 so confessedly prevalent during the day.- of Republican rule, are now happih 
 things m| the past, and can never return, under the benignant sway of 
 Democretic principles, to curs*- and blight with their horrors the j>caceful. 
 prosperous course of all the people of South Carolina. 
 
 To the eternal honor of our Stat* and the Democratic party it can noio be 
 said that our elections are the freest and fairest in the world, and that not a 
 single citizen of hers, ho matter what his ra?tk, color or condition, can, under 
 her just and equal laws, impartially administered as they are, '-. by any per- 
 ,,, or intimidation debarred at the polls from the free and full exe r c\ «. 
 A/'? suffrage. Tliere if not only a perfect freedom in voting, but the amp!.' 
 protection a/forded the voter. 
 
 I shall, therefore, with a deep sense of the responsibilty resting upon me 
 t.> preserve to the best of my ability tin- purity of the ballot, so happily re- 
 stored in this State, appoint to the important position of commissioners oi 
 ii n in the several counties men of such known intelligence, h i^h char- 
 . and unquestioned patriotism, as will give all the people of South 
 (';ir 'Una tie' confident assurance of having in the coming elections the full- 
 est, freest and fairest expression of their will. 
 
 To these boards will be entrusted the designation of precinct managers •< 
 duty that I am sure that they will not only discharge faithfully, but th* 
 responsibilities of which they will Juatlj appreciate, 
 
 1 have thus frankly and succinctly stated the main consideration that will 
 miide my action in tin; appointment of these election boards; but I cannot 
 refrain from briogiog to your attention, in this connection, the fact that 
 vour committee cau scarcely bo said to represent an organized party, as the 
 comatose condition of the remnant of the Republicans in this State t«<r man', 
 irs past wuld Burely justify the non •recognition of alleged rights and 
 consequences bo urgently demanded and strongly asserted by you. I will 
 
 • >n!y add that the whole people of South Carolina — every voter within her 
 
 border — can Bafely rest in the absolute assurance of having, at th ruing 
 
14 
 
 elections, the fullest opportunity of expressing their will through the eonsli- 
 r.uional and American method of a free ballot and fair count. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 . J. P. RICHARDSON, Governor.- 
 
 Could there be a more startling example of the degeneracy and 
 demoralization produced by the corrupting and debasing practices 
 in this State than this flippant and untrue statement affords. The 
 Governor must have known that it was utterly and riduculously false, 
 and that his fellqjw-citizens would so regard it. And yet he felt no 
 more shame in writing and giving it to the newspapers for publica- 
 tion than Democratic voters do in stuffing the ballot boxes, or man- 
 agers of election in making false returns. A temporary point was scored, 
 and that was sufficient. It illustrates in the concrete the effect of 
 being familiarized with vice, and stifling conscience, justice and 
 virtue for the sake of party. 
 
 The reflection is natural, if the Republican party is defunct what 
 harm could result from conceding them a representative on tht 
 election boards and thus stopping their complaints. But it is re- 
 membered that shortly before his nomination, when canvassing the 
 State, he warned the opposing element in his party, that '-nothing 
 hut the flimsy eight box scheme stood betweem his party and defeat." 
 Besides all the other evidence which impeaches the Governor's 
 statement as to the fairness and honesty of election* in this State it 
 is refuted by Democratic testimony, as will be seen by the following 
 extracts from recent published declarations: 
 
 [From the Charleston World.] 
 
 "However, by means of the primaries, with the managers' stamp used to 
 prepare ballots the night before for stuffing the boxes, and rapid penmen to 
 write two names every time one voter casts his ballot, some persons have 
 come to great apparent political prominence in t > 1 i s city. But all this sort 
 of thing has squeezed the life out of the party here." 
 
 [From the Charleston News and Courier. 
 
 "The primary in Newberry to determine the choice of a candidate i'<>T 
 Slate Senator was followed by sweeping allegations of bribery and fraud. 
 It was the same in Marion county, where Bingham was the defeated candi- 
 date. Charges of fraud at the primary in Lexington county v>~ere promptly 
 and deliberately made. * * * * * 'jj, e eight bo\- law. 
 necessary as it was and beneficial as its operations has been, is demoralizing 
 to the people of the State. It must lower the younger men in particular in 
 their own eyes to see the spirit of our institutions is violated at every elec- 
 tion. It is beneath the dignity of the State to admit that there is not states- 
 manship in South Carolina to face the consequences of ignorant suffrage, and 
 overcome them without political trick or subterfuge." 
 
IT) 
 
 ••The RegittU r helit- v.-s this soletun matter of fair elections l- the most in - 
 portant of ;t!l public questions in the whole country, ami it believes that 
 reform, like charity, should begin at home. The plan of the Register is uoi 
 for the Negro. It is for gociely. It i-, if anything, more t\>r the white than 
 the colored race. Cheating and swindling cannot ^o on at elections and b 
 kept there. Besides, the cheatiug and swindling in elections is a greater 
 rime against society than in the private affairs of life. This cheating is 
 elections and being honest after ii is like forging a will in the interest of th • 
 party administering it, :iml then claiming tin- beneit of honestly administer- 
 ing it." 
 
 [/•Vow a Published Address of Lexington County Democrats,] 
 
 '■ With mingled feelings of shame and indignation, we Democrats of 
 Lexington County come before the good people of the county with '<ur 
 \ aticcs. Tn the recent primary election held in this county, fraud the 
 most glaring was shamelessly pei potrated by tin- supporters of a combination 
 of candidates who will go down to history in the annals of Levington county 
 the ('<»urt House King. The supporters of seme of the successful as- 
 pirants in that contest, forgetful of ail personal honor and ignoring all 
 patriotic considerations, steeped themselves in political infamy by slutting 
 the ballot boxes, voting fictitious names, riding from poll to poll over certain 
 poitions of county and voting at each precinct vi-ited, in total disregard of 
 their decency and manhood." 
 
 And yet Governor Richardson declares that "To the eterrm' 
 honor of our State and the Democratic party it cad now be said 
 that our elections are the freest and fairest in the world." 
 
 The Republicans of this State not only charge their adversaries 
 with a spoilation of their sacred rights of suffrage and their debase 
 ment of public morals, but they hold them up to reprobation for the 
 base betrayal of their pledges, and their utter indifference to the 
 solution of the civil and political relations of the races. 
 
 In the revolutionary campaign of 1S7H the Democrats pron 
 that all the rights of the Negroes would be observed and maintain 
 tod that they would prove themselves their friends. What are the 
 facts? Instead of making their plighted word good and proving 
 their sincerity, the whole intent and effect of their government has 
 been to deprive them of their political rights, to oppress them in 
 their civil rights and to embitter and estrange the mutual race rela 
 tions. The record shows this action to 'have been deliberate, pra< 
 tically unresisted and unrcbuked. In addition to the statement 
 ilready made as to the suppression of political rights, the Democrats 
 party should be held in everlasting contempt for it- shameless bn 
 of honor and agreement in stealing the representative to Congress 
 from the 7th district, after it had created it through a gerrymc 
 
16 
 
 unparalleled for its partisanship, and set it apart under the title of 
 the Black District, with a colored majority of 25,000. Their greed 
 for office is insatiable. Had they cared for the contentment and 
 welfare of that race, or sought in one particular to secure its favor 
 and confidence, they would not have allowed their lust for the 
 solitary office vouchsafed the Republicans to have spurred them to 
 commit the stupendous crimes required to strangle such a majority, 
 composed of men as earnest, loyal and devoted to their party as was 
 ever saint to his religion. 
 
 The denial of the right to vote to the great body of Negroes is 
 emphasized and made the more glaringly unjust by the provision of 
 law making it a criminal offence not to pay the poll tax, punishable 
 by thirty days' imprisonment. This is the refinement of injustice, 
 to prevent the vote and then punish the non-payment of the poll 
 tax. Their civil rights are equally and notoriously violated. The 
 spirit and terms of the law are habitually defeated by their exclusion 
 from the jury box. In many counties Knights of Labor and kindred 
 associations are prohibited, and if their organization is attempted 
 they are brutally broken up, and the courts afford neither remedy 
 or redress. Emigration agents are not suffered to visit several of 
 the counties. The law makes it a criminal offence, "punishable 
 according to its gravity," for a farm laborer to break his contract. 
 
 The law against carrying concealed weapons is enforced almost 
 exclusively against negroes. The purchase of seed cotton is legis- 
 lated against with intolerable severity. Penalties for crimes likely 
 to be committed by negroes are made unduly severe, while the 
 lawless acts of white men go unwhipt of justice. The leasing out of 
 convicts is fraught with inhuman cruelties and barbarities. 
 
 The Trial Justice system is a shame to the State and a source of 
 untold woes to the negroes, and shows an utter indifference to their 
 welfare and just claims. All thoughtful and observing men know 
 what strong prejudices and bitter antipathies are inbred against that 
 race, and it should have been the purpose and object of those in 
 authority to have established a judicial system for the determination 
 of their rights and the punishment of their petty crimes that would 
 protect them from extortion, injustice and oppression. These in- 
 ferior tribunals come closest to the people, and the immense power 
 centered in them should have been intrusted to men of character. 
 legal training, independence and merciful disposition. But on the 
 contrary, these arbiters of law are very often ignorant, unmerciful, 
 tyrannical, negro hating men, who from the greed to make the fees 
 by which they are supported, and kd the desire to advance the in- 
 terests of the party to which they are beholden for their offices, use 
 
17 
 
 the power in their hands to grind the humble, foment cross suits and 
 prosecutions, and terrorize those who are alert, zealous, and other- 
 wise unmanageable in political action. The majority of these pett) 
 magistrates are in rural parts of the State, where there are no lawyers 
 to protect the rights of litigants or those charged with crime. The 
 ruling class in the State are either ignorant or unconcerned about th< 
 treatment these poor, humble, despised and defenceless people hav< 
 indicted upon them. But it was plainly the duty of the thoughtful, 
 humane and justice-loving leaders among the Democrats to haw 
 seen that a system so fraught with temptations and opportunities for 
 oppression and extortion should not have been kept in existence 
 This indifference to the welfare and persecution of a defencless race 
 is a reproach to those who should < ontrol the policy of the Demo- 
 cratic party, and stultifies their pretensions of friendliness and con 
 cern for their well being. That it may be clearer seen how dereli< i 
 they have been, and some conception may be had of the enormities 
 practiced by these legal tyrants in sections even contiguous to ; 
 good sized city, an extract is inserted from a statement published in 
 the Columbia Register by a Democratic lawyer, W. S. Monteith, 
 Esq., of cases happening in Richland Count}, in which the capit; ! 
 of the State is situated : 
 
 "The entire trial justice system is a» abortion; it was conceived in .-in 
 and born in iniquity in the Radical party, in order to enable them to control 
 this jurisdiction, and they steadily disregarded the Constitution which re 
 <|uires that elections should be had for justices of the peace, and all sort ol 
 sophistry was resorted to in the Supreme Court of South Carolina in thosi 
 days to uphold the constitutionality of the Trial .Justice Court, and although, 
 at all times an ardent Democrat, I raised my voice at the outset, and wi i 
 ever continue to declare that it was a duty of the Democratic party to at 
 once have abolished the office, and not to have accepted it for the same im- 
 proper purpose that the Republican party created it, viz. , by subterfuge t 
 avoid the performance of the constitutional duty to elect justices of the peac 
 in order to have a power of appointment that would amount to patronage. 
 which the executive might control in the interest of the party, and tie 
 exercise of this power leads to the grossest abuses. In Radical days ire 
 to bear of inefficiency in the office of (rial justice, and •) udge Hudson is very 
 correct in saying that .-•; h inefficiency continues to exist, but it tin- office o 
 justice of the p< 1 lowed to be Ailed by n popular vote %& the < onsti- 
 
 lution prescribes, the people who know good men in their midst would - 
 proper men for this imp >rta»l office, and wise legislation might safely 
 mil to this jurisdiction many of the matters which Judge Hudson complains 
 • fas now burdening the Court of Common Pleas. 
 
 ,; The amount of oppression practised by trial justices who hold 
 appointments under executive appointment can not be estimated. 1 
 jome instance! that have 1 ite l<..- been in tin 
 
 Urol of the Democratic party, and these can be multiplied indnfinit< 
 
m 
 
 ' I. Peter Murry leased lands in Richland County and another person 
 occupied adjacent land; the line between the two adjoining fields was un- 
 certain, and Murry included in his work three acres not included in his 
 lease, which fact was not discovered until toward the end of the year when 
 :i survey showed the mistake. In the course of the year Marry became 
 involved in a difficulty with other parties and was sent to prison, but his 
 wife and his large family continued to live upon the premises leased by hinn 
 and during his imprisonment finished the crop and were engaged in gather- 
 ing it when the owner of the adjacent lands demanded of the wife of Murry 
 §6 rent for the three acres so planted by mistake. Upon her refusal to pay 
 rent a trial justice issued a warrant for her arrest for a trespass and sent to 
 her house for her arrest while she lay sick with an infant five days old by 
 iier side. The officer took her and the infant out of bed, put them in a 
 wagon, hauled them six miles to a trial justice court, when she was tried for 
 -ueh alleged trespass upon the warrant which stated that the trespass con- 
 sisted in planting three acres of land and refusing to pay rent for it; the 
 'rial justice adjudged her guilty; sentenced her to pay |6 rent to the 
 rosecutor and the costs of the proceedings, $10, or to be imprisoned in the 
 county jail thirty days, and upon her refusal to pay the money demanded, 
 the constable hauled her and the infant to Columbia, twenty-one miles, and 
 h-^n when the Sheriff refused to receive her in prison, he was forced to 
 abandon her in the streets and her friends sent her home. 
 
 "2. An appointee under Governor Hampton, in Richland County, made 
 ;i contract with a negro to work upon his farm ; the negro, as. he alleged, 
 broke the contract and came to this city; his employer, who was a trial 
 justice, met him in the city, caused his arrest, by a police officer, alleged thai 
 he was wanted before him upon a criminal warrant; when he was 
 ready to leave town he placed him in iror.s, carried him to whore he lived, 
 and there assuming to be able to try the case as trial justice, he himself 
 ig the prosecutor, sentenced the accused to be imprisoned in the county 
 jail thirty days, giving him the option to work thirty days in his field for 
 nothing. The negro accepted the alternative, and he fearing that the negro 
 would not remain the thirty days out handcuffed him to the plow stock. 
 and be remained so handcuffed by his left arm to the plow stock for several 
 days until released on l«ibcas corpus. 
 
 "3. A citizen once, but not now, of this county, lost a game hen which 
 he alleged to be of the value of $5, and he indicted a man residing on the 
 premises for the alleged larceny of the hen. The matter coming up before a 
 neighboring trial justice, resulted in the prompt conviction of the accused 
 upon most flimsy testimony, and the sentence was that he should pay a 
 certain fine and the costs, amounting to $15, or be imprisoned in the count) 
 jail thirty days. The sentence, however, was suspended upon the prosecutor 
 agreeing, that if the defendant would hoe thirty days in the field of the 
 prosecutor that the prosecutor would pay the fine and costs in lieu of wages, 
 and the defendant set in to do the hoeing. Upon the day sifter the hoeing 
 commenced, the hen came up and brought thirteen chickens, instead of be- 
 ing stolen she was sitting and had hatched a brood, and the innocence of the 
 defendant was apparent ; he refused to hoe any longer and was taken by the 
 prosecutor and surrendered to a trial justice, who was made aware of the 
 fact of the discovery of the lost property. The justice said, however, that 
 
19 
 
 if he would not tfoe lie might go to jail and he sent the defendant to the 
 Richland County Jail under a sentence of thirty days imprisonment, which 
 he served. 
 
 "4. There is on file here a commitment issue! by a trial justice appointed 
 )>y a Democratic Governor, which commitment charges a paralytic negro 
 with "creating a fuss," and which commitment landed the accused in the 
 county jail in default of $1,000 peace bond, and his stay in jail was onbi 
 terminated after considerable time 1>\ the discharge of th" prisoner oi 
 habeas corpus. 
 
 "There are very few courts in the State at which I have nol attei 
 am! 1 recollect no instance where I ever went to court in which, among th< 
 appeals from trial justices that have been beard by the circuit judge, I coul 1 
 nol 6nd a case which shows cither inefficiency or oppression, and tic 
 cited above are only fair specimens. In the cities and at the count- 
 
 BSces are filled by persons of fair, sometin d, ability and in- 
 
 tegrity, as is the case here, but Judge Mackey mad- a correct estimate of 
 the average trial justice in this State when he announced on a memorabli 
 n to the grand jury that "every i ne is suppo ed to know the law 
 except the trial justices." \Y. B. Monteith. 
 
 This recital of the wrongs inflicted by the Democratic party in 
 State upon the political and civil rights of Republicans woul< 
 seem sufficient to convict that party of crimes and misdemeanors 
 almost beyond Divine forgiveness or the toleration of Ami 
 citizens. It < alls loudly for the interposition of such instrument 
 alities as can break the chains which hold more than a half of the 
 people in bondage, and restore the sacred rights which have been 
 ruthlessly subverted; and, thanks be to God, there are signs that 
 the day of deliverance is approaching. Indications are appearing 
 that a conversion is setting in among the liberal and conservative 
 Democrats who deplore this long spell of fraud, injustice and 
 tyranny. The remnant of conscience and patriotism which was un 
 consumed while this twelve years' reign of corruption and hate held 
 sway is at last awakening to a sense both of the wrong and cruelt) 
 which has prevailed, and also the dread consequences to themselves 
 and the injur) t<> the State which this career has inflicted. With 
 the great opportunity they have had to win the confidence and sup 
 port nf the [ them arrayed in sullen, dertermined 
 
 opposition. They see the greed of the ring or absolute 
 
 power has led them on, step b) step, iii the road of fraud and in- 
 justice until they have passed the bounds and restraints which have 
 been ordained to protect society and preserve government. Ann 
 bow a hah is being called. White standing in the mire breathing 
 the fatal miasma, they are looking for some temporal'}' lodgment 
 which they can reach in the hope that some way can bt discovered 
 by which they can retract their steps and at the same time 
 
20 
 
 keep the plunder. A portion of them, under the leadership of the 
 Charleston News and Courier, want to enact a constitutional educa- 
 tional qualification. Others, under the guidance of the Charleston 
 World, favor a change in the law which will practically effect the 
 Mine end. And still others, with a clearer perception of the gross 
 wrongs which have been perpetrated and the duty of making some 
 concessions, are supporting the Columbia Register in advocating a 
 policy of friendliness and justice and partial division of the offices, 
 which is a recognition within limitations of some of the rights of the 
 oppressed. The last plan is the more promising of good results. It 
 is at 3ea>t an attempt to partly solve the difficulties, and is in line 
 with pledges made 12 years ago. It is believed the consequence of 
 this agitation will be the destruction of the present villainous elec- 
 tion system, and the establishment of some plan less revolting and 
 repugnant to moral sentiment. 
 
 A good deal is being said of late about the Southern problem, 
 which means the race question, and especially in this State has the 
 subject been taken up for consideration. The difficulties involved 
 are magnified, and the only effectual remedy is either not grasped 
 or is fought shy of. The C&lumhia Register seems to have the 
 courage, desire and purpose to go to the root of the matter, and 
 adopt the plan which would cut the Gordian knot, for it advocates 
 the recognition of the political rights and legal equality of all 
 citizens, and their just, righteous and imdiscriminating treatment; 
 and this course, put sincerely and unreservedly in practice, would 
 solve the portentous and dread question. This way of taking hold 
 of the matter has never been attempted. Southern leaders, up to 
 this time, have never wanted to settle the question on any just, per- 
 manent and mutually satisfactory basis. The franchise of the Negro, 
 with the recognition of his political and civil rights, has never been 
 accepted at the South. His enfranchisement has been looked upon 
 as a calamity and outrage, which in some way might be annulled, 
 and at all hazards must be undermined and controlled. Under the 
 provisional governments preceding reconstruction, the abolition of 
 slavery was looked upon in the same way, and the black code legis- 
 lation was as naturally the consequence of the failure to grasp the 
 full and logical results of emancipation as are the equally indefensible 
 election laws and practices the product of those who believe the 
 Negro is not entitled to the political rights, privileges and full 
 opportunities of citizenship. Southerners actually and instinctively 
 believed at that time that the freedmen could not become law- 
 abiding citizens and good laborers — that they were incapable of 
 education, and that the attempt to educate them would result in 
 
21 
 
 unmeasured evils and dangers — that they ought not and should nol 
 \n land and houses, and finally, that they must from necessity, if 
 not kept under subjection, be lawless, untrustworthy and dangerous 
 What an absolute, and now admitted, refutation of all these sincere 
 md dire conceptions and forebodings does the record of this 
 wonderful and peculiar people exhibit. The general government 
 repudiated the unrighteous, unjust and inpolitic class rule which \ 
 attempted, and forced the South to treat the frecdmen as freedmen, 
 md the result has \ indicated the wisdom and policy of this pro 
 lure, while the unexampled conduct of this people has won the 
 recognition and praise of all who have given the matter thought. 
 And while this despised and persecuted and little understood race 
 was working out its partial destiny, what a marvelous change in scnti 
 ment, amounting to conversion, has come to the white people, until 
 their views upon slavery and the nature and capacities of the Negro 
 have been entirely transformed. If they would now look upon the 
 franchise of the Negro as a finality, and mould their action upon the 
 basis of the full and absolute recognition of their equal rights, re- 
 nouncing their own assumed political superiority and exclusiveness, 
 the apparent dangers and dreaded consequences would fade awav .- 
 surely as they have in the civil status. The negro race is not clanM> 
 revengeful or potentially disposed, nor has it a race pride, ambition 
 ind destiny; otherwise it would not be the unresisting victim of op 
 presston and persecution. They are forgiving and forgetful of in- 
 juries, and long years of dependence have made them incapable of 
 ploying the means necessary for their protection. They would 
 rally divide in politics if they were not goaded and forced to 
 hold together by the political hatred and hostility of the whites, w 1 
 ilignment on questions and issues has been in open antagonism t i 
 them. When the Southern people earnestly and fully want to settle 
 the political race relations it will be quickly accomplished, and all 
 iger of Negro domination will be exploded as effectually as h 
 i the dreaded anticipation of insurrections, race conspiracies 
 Labor organizations. The Southern leaders have not wanted this 
 political ra< e question settled, but have conspired against its adjust 
 ment, for they were thriving upon the conditions as they exi->t, and 
 ould easily maintain their hold by inflaming the passions, exciting 
 prejudices and arousing the fear.-, of their blind followers. The 
 rai e issue has been their political stock in trade. 
 
 Uut if the Southern white people will not undertake the solution 
 of this question, then the duty falls on the National government t • 
 interpose, as it did under the provisional governments immediate!) 
 following the war, whe t the civil rights of an emancipated people 
 
22 
 
 were denied and trampled upon. Happily the power to do this has 
 been conferred by the people through the late election. If laws are 
 enacted by which the conduct and management of all Federal 
 elections are taken from the hands of the State and placed in the 
 hands of Federal officers with full authority, a summary solution of 
 many of the difficulties involved in the situation will have been 
 provided. And the immediate result will be the restoration of 
 many congressional districts, and the electoral vote of several State- 
 to the party from which it has been robbed. It may be expected 
 that an outcry against the unconstitutionality of such a law will 
 come from the throats of those leaders who have seen no harm in 
 the killing, whipping or oppression of negroes, nor illegality in the 
 denial and destruction of the elective franchise. 
 
 An inviting opportunity is now afforded in this State lor the 
 upbuilding of the Republican party on an enduring basis. The 
 reign of injustice, fraud and ring rule has planted the seeds of decay 
 in the Bourbon party, while the vitality of and prominence given to 
 the issue of protection to American industries and labor has fur- 
 nished the steps up which those can reach the Republican platform 
 who would not otherwise or in any other way go upon it. There is 
 a revolt against the illiberal, un progressive, proscribing spirit which 
 dominates the Democratic party, while the conviction is fast gaining 
 a foothold that the South will be benefitted by an adoption of thai 
 system which has built up, thickly peopled and enriched other 
 sections of the country. If those who believe in this doctrine 
 would have the courage of their convictions and take a pronounced 
 stand in its support, and also plant themselves upon the ground that 
 the ballot box must be purified and the foul election scheme of this 
 State abrogated, they would find the Republicans eager to clasp 
 their hands in hearty loyalty and co-operation, and join them in 
 re-organizing the party upon these living political issues. The 
 Republicans have always sought and welcomed allies and recruits, 
 [t is the Bourbon leaders who, by plying the lashes of ostracism and 
 proscription, and kindling the fires of prejudice, hate and dread, 
 have stifled the promptings of independent natures, and smothered 
 the outcries of the conscience stricken. But these weapons are 
 wearing out. The people are awakening to their interests and their 
 condition. A dry rot has fastened itself upon that party,. and the 
 apathy and discontent which overshadows and pervades it is the pre- 
 cursor of its disintegration. If there was only a man among these 
 at heart in rebellion against the fraud marked, ring ruled and blood 
 stained Bourbon organization to sound the bugle call, as the bold, 
 brave and wise Mahone did, there would rally to his standard as 
 
23 
 
 valient and determined a following as w&s led to victory by the 
 Virginia patriot. 
 
 A most potent and available agency which could be utilized to 
 
 hasten the disintegration of the Bourbon party would be the 
 
 establishment of bold, independent, untrammelled newspapers in the 
 
 th, wht< h would pour light upon the dark and debasing deeds "! 
 
 conspirators against the right-; and liberties of the people, ex- 
 
 their plots and build up a public opinion whi< h would pcotei i 
 
 '.he political morals of the citizens and preserve the institutions 
 
 ty. At the same time the Republican doctrine of protection 
 should lx- explained and its advantage to the South set forth; and 
 led encouragement and support furnished to the liberal minded 
 and progressive citizens who are ready to break away from the thral- 
 dom which restrains and circumscribes them. 
 
 As conditions have existed, newspapers could not i»e self-sup- 
 porting in this section, which were established on tin's plan. 
 
 Another most important and efiii ienl instrumentality for under 
 mining and overthrowing the accursed Democratic rule in the South 
 ire the Federal offices. They should be filled with men who, besides 
 harging their duties faithfully, exactly and satisfactorily would 
 use the opportunities and emoluments of these positions in the 
 patriotic cause of their party's welfare and advancement. This a 
 
 ason and insult to tin civil service doctrine, which 
 gained a foothold in the country. But the code of political ethic - 
 which would dismantle the public offices of their utility and pi ' 
 for party purposes should not be applied in the South, wha:> 
 may be the proprieties in oiher sections of the country. Here 
 there is a boycott against Republicans, and the powers of the State. 
 County and Municipal offices, and the terrors of business proscrip 
 lion and social ostracism are centered and wielded against thai 
 party. For the present the only rallying points from which to or 
 opposition to this army of hate, intolerance and criminal 
 desperation, are the public offices, which enable the incumbents to 
 be independent, if not indifferent to persecution, and to earn the 
 ns to help the party whose control is necessary for the protection 
 of the rights ol the people and the prosperity of the country. This 
 devotion to the interests of parly implies no neglect of official 
 duty, or its unsatisfactory performance, nor i-, it in any proper » 
 incompatible with it. The liourbons will make a fierce howl against 
 this course of urgent and effective part) policy, though they ado] 
 and so rigidly adhered toil four years ago thai ry tion w 
 summarily emptied of ir> oc< upanl 
 
24 
 
 If these offices are utilized, not to reward pretended and preten- 
 tious past claims, but to secure the services of those who will use 
 their ability, energies and means to organize the party upon live and 
 practical issues, and bring to its support those who can be detached 
 from the enemy, a long stride will be taken to hasten the overthrow 
 of that rule in the South which has despoiled the rights of the 
 citizens, and become a menace to the safeguards anil vital interests 
 of society. To effectuate this gtand object most surely and effici- 
 ently, the incoming administratiojn should take charge of and mould 
 the action of the party in the states where the political rights of its 
 ••importers are denied and ruthlessly strangled. 
 
 And it would be a welcome and inspiring sign if there should be 
 called to the cabinet of the President some representative- Southern 
 Republican of ability, courage and political skill, who understands 
 the crafty, intriguing and plausible characteristics of the Bourbons, 
 and knows how to circumvent the plotting* of these desperate and 
 conscienceless conspirators. For years they have hoodwinked the 
 Republicans of the North, while tyranizing over their own affrighted 
 supporters, and they will be recreant 10 their natures if they do not 
 try to deceive, delude and stab the next administration, which will 
 
 find the only true and safe policy 
 gifts." 
 
 ELLEJZ\ 
 
 is "To beware of Greeks bearim 
 
 M. BRAYTON. 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 014 418 618 7 #