Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1876 — Shall Mob Force and Intimidation Pre vail. [ARTICLE]

Shall Mob Force and Intimidation Pre vail.

This is the one great issue to be decided at the coming election, rising above and transcending ail other questions. Attempt to disguise it as we may, and sneer at il as some do, the startling fact-still remains patent and indisputable, that npon this one point may rest the entire question of the Presidential contest. The Democratic party base their only hope of the election of Tilden and Hendricks on what they call the “ solid South.” They concede, at the odtset, that the loyal States, as on all occasions since the Democratic rebellion of 1861, will now be substantially united in support of the party that put down that rebellion and saved the Union. So the only possible hope of the Democrats is in controlling the entire strength of the rebel States, (138 votes), with which ar a basis, they hope, by some means, to obtain in the North the forty-seven votes necessary to success. Thus it will be seen that unless the South be made “ solid” for Tilden, he stands no chance whatever. But ihe Democratic leaders find themselves confronted with the fact, that in ’72 the Stains of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia and West Virginia cast their votes for Grant, and that while several of these may now be regarded as Democratic, there yet remains five of the number —North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, with forty-seven electoral votes —which, are so clearly Republican, that if left to. a free ballot they would go as they have done at every election since the war. Take these forty-seven votes from Tilden, and he would have but ninety-one Southern votes, or less than one-half the requisite majority. It is thus seen that this thing of a, “ Solid South” isaimply a cnatter of life, and death with Tilden. Without it, he’ never would have consented to become a candidate, while with it, his chances, are by himself and friends regarded as ex. tremely doubtful. The one point, then, is simply this.: Can the Republican majorities in the five States named be overcome,’ and those States controlled for Tilden ? If not, tbe issue is decided in advance. But how? That was the question on which all hopes hinged. Not by argument—not by reason—hot by any of the means recognized among freemen. The forum aad the press were ndt considered for one moment in that connection, and but one resort remained, and that was bruts force. The only possible means of securing a “solid South” consisted in such personal intimidation as should pre, vent Republicans in those States from voting at aR. How this is to. be accomplished, ia already known. The Ku-Klux

and the White Leagues are the forms of .organized action heretofore employed by the Confederates. Their business, largely, was to assault, murder and rob loyal citizens, with thq view of driving them out of the coon try. But additional means have been found necessary to tire emergency of the campaign, and this need is met u*. what is called the* “-Edgefield Policy”-—that is, the shot gun policy—tc» which Gen. M. W. Gary, a leading Tilde* and Hendricks orator of South Carolihi, referred hi a recent political speech, lie said:'. ~r. ‘ *y; Tho Edgefield policy won In tbe State Convention and wtii win, ta the present umpalgn- That polk * U to fdalnly tell Vle ntgrort that th e *eWeS a t agmnineoninmod of the State. We Itoniocrate do not wa«d >hetr votes, bat they will vote against ui at their We must warn to*- leaders tha% the “ tail poppies will hdl first.”* I for one won Id shoot first Chattitorlan, Elliot, Patterson, and uel* carpetbaggers; second, the miaerub, e white native scalla-'ags. and lastly, - t e black leaders gene ally, Oo armed to the balMdtojr, tud uwrt with force- K tuyo**

IfttSTBBiWBSStiSr wbo so try must be removed em* of’the way by to remr them, then we must be prepared to shoot, Aeaui, tireTlUen tader**. The “Edgefield Policy” is based oa ££&»«»£ ass business it will be on election day to patrol the country, as mounted cavalry, Slid to kcepr the negroes away from the wllot?tign, there is Mt tbe slightest quest tod.* he speech of Gary, and the entire movement of tho Democratic leaden in the South, confirm his testimony. They Well know that there is in South Carolina a, Republican majority of 40,0u0, add that a free ballot would give the State to Hayes and Wheeler beyond aU powdhUtty «f doubt, as It would at least four other Southern States, and to prevent tills, is tho business fp hand. - , r . *. This was in.accordance with the entire policy of the Confederates, who, at no Eb tr&ws sanot votes” Mode art torite counted. Now, as In ISfiSw A 1 South Carolina is a. white man's State,” and, “ nigger majorities” must ndt be allowed to interfere/ “If it becomes necessary,’,’ says the outspoken Gary, ‘‘ to shoot them, in order to remove them, we must be prepared to shoot, rather than be prevented from redeeming tho State.” .. * That this is not, on the part df the Confederate leaders, a mete purpose to carry the “ solid South” for,Tilden, but has for its ultimate Object Something far beyond the pending Presidential election; is paiEable to every observing person. What i that object was plainly Stated by Wade Hampton, in an address' before the Virginia Military Institute in 1868, ttyl is reported by a Richmond paper, as fellows r* Alluding most touchingly to anrmartyred dead, he said that our 'grief should be tempered, at we Vefflember that they fell when they thought toey would ayqt faJLiavain—that they feuin the bright nope that euccess would crown: theiraffante. Bnt he did eud believe that they had fallen in vain— the ‘cause for which Jackson And Stewart fell, cannot he “ The Lott Cause—for which..our soldiers fell.” This was drank silently and lsolemniy by “The Lost Cause,” which, “in some form,” is “ yet tp triumph*” 18 the one end and aim of Hampton and. his Confederate associates, and allthttt they da for or with the Democratic party, looks to that object. Tilden was nominated by their aid, and,is now supported by them, simply and, solely because they think can use him, and for no other reason.' They Would as readily support HAyew, if he could,be used by them. , , * , What, is to be done f Howls this crime against free government to be prevented ? How ia the ballot-box to be protected fiosa this startling assault? Has it come to this, that the chriice of President of the JJnited States is to be..coitt|-plkd,,by Rifle Clubs and Ku-Elox Elans, made np of unfepentaint and nnrPconstrueied rebeto? Isthiathe“fom” in wlrtch , Mthe, cause” is “yet to triumph?” These are questions for the deettion of the ihtelligent people of the North. It may not be in their power or that of the Government to secure to citizens in tho South the right to a free ballot at the coaxing etoctioas, but they can, by means <rf their own bal. lots—thank God, yet free—defbat the ppr. pose of this, great crime* by insuring the defeat of Tilden and Hendnckb, ja wbose behalf it, is undertaken. Htnce, eVery ballot in the South for Hayes and Wbeqter is a vote, for freegovernment and tbe most* effective protest against ihe infamous Attempt, to control this Government by mob forces— Toledo filaje. • ' ,