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Editorial
March 4, 1859
Oxford Democrat
Paris, South Paris, Oxford County, Maine
What is this article about?
An editorial calls on Republicans to mobilize for spring municipal elections, warning against Democratic ballot stuffing and fraud, and urging selection of honest officials to protect voting rights and prevent pro-slavery influences.
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Spring Elections.
Our municipal town elections are at our
very doors, and it is important for our republican friends fully to appreciate the importance necessarily attached to them. In
many towns our political enemies have in
times past succeeded through the apathy of
the republicans, and the want of a thorough organization on their part. It should
be borne in mind, that it is a settled policy
on the part of the black democracy to carry
their points, (if it can be done in no other
way,) by a system of ballot box stuffing
and fraud. This they have practised not
only in Kansas, Minnesota, and other new
States and territories, but in many of the
older States.
If the people want to keep the ballot box
clear of spurious votes, they must elect men
to superintend it at elections, who do not
belong to a party which boldly and auda-
ciously identifies itself with fraud and
swindling. Another thing should be taken
into consideration. Our friends, we think,
will bear witness, that Selectmen even in
our own county, belonging to the border
ruffian democracy, have in times past in
many instances, pursued a wicked, dishon-
orable course, in prohibiting men who in
fact were legal voters, from exercising this
right, merely because they were republican, while on the other hand, almost
every interloper and straggler that can be
hunted up, has been allowed to vote, in order to swell up the pro slavery ticket.
Then again, the influence is bad, when our
friends suffer republican towns to be carried against them, at the spring elections. We
therefore urge it earnestly upon our friends,
one and all, not to be remiss in our municipal elections. So to it, and that in season.
Make it a point to have all our friends at
the polls, and in season.
Bring forward your most valuable, reliable
men. Let all differences of opinion, as
to candidates, be harmonized. Let all personal prejudices be sacrificed upon the altar
of the public good.
Rally, rally then, from every school district, from centers small and centers
large, in every town and plantation. Do your duty, your
whole duty, and then you will have a patriot's reward.
Our municipal town elections are at our
very doors, and it is important for our republican friends fully to appreciate the importance necessarily attached to them. In
many towns our political enemies have in
times past succeeded through the apathy of
the republicans, and the want of a thorough organization on their part. It should
be borne in mind, that it is a settled policy
on the part of the black democracy to carry
their points, (if it can be done in no other
way,) by a system of ballot box stuffing
and fraud. This they have practised not
only in Kansas, Minnesota, and other new
States and territories, but in many of the
older States.
If the people want to keep the ballot box
clear of spurious votes, they must elect men
to superintend it at elections, who do not
belong to a party which boldly and auda-
ciously identifies itself with fraud and
swindling. Another thing should be taken
into consideration. Our friends, we think,
will bear witness, that Selectmen even in
our own county, belonging to the border
ruffian democracy, have in times past in
many instances, pursued a wicked, dishon-
orable course, in prohibiting men who in
fact were legal voters, from exercising this
right, merely because they were republican, while on the other hand, almost
every interloper and straggler that can be
hunted up, has been allowed to vote, in order to swell up the pro slavery ticket.
Then again, the influence is bad, when our
friends suffer republican towns to be carried against them, at the spring elections. We
therefore urge it earnestly upon our friends,
one and all, not to be remiss in our municipal elections. So to it, and that in season.
Make it a point to have all our friends at
the polls, and in season.
Bring forward your most valuable, reliable
men. Let all differences of opinion, as
to candidates, be harmonized. Let all personal prejudices be sacrificed upon the altar
of the public good.
Rally, rally then, from every school district, from centers small and centers
large, in every town and plantation. Do your duty, your
whole duty, and then you will have a patriot's reward.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Spring Elections
Municipal Elections
Republican Mobilization
Ballot Box Fraud
Voting Rights
Pro Slavery Ticket
What entities or persons were involved?
Republicans
Black Democracy
Border Ruffian Democracy
Pro Slavery Ticket
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Mobilizing Republicans For Municipal Elections Against Democratic Fraud
Stance / Tone
Urgently Pro Republican And Anti Democratic Fraud
Key Figures
Republicans
Black Democracy
Border Ruffian Democracy
Pro Slavery Ticket
Key Arguments
Past Republican Apathy Has Allowed Enemies To Win Through Lack Of Organization
Democrats Employ Ballot Box Stuffing And Fraud In Various States
Elect Non Democratic Supervisors To Prevent Spurious Votes
Democratic Selectmen Have Illegally Barred Republican Voters While Allowing Interlopers
Losing Republican Towns Harms The Cause
All Republicans Must Rally, Harmonize Differences, And Ensure Full Participation