The Arkansas Banner

For the Arkansas Banner.

THE LATE ELECTION.

To the Editors of the Banner:

Gentlemen—As the whigs are boasting very much of their victory in this county, I will give you a key to the system of fraud by which the democrats were defeated. As I live in the country, several miles from the city, I have not before had an opportunity of giving you this information. In Eagle Township the polls were closed before the time specified by law: and after the officers of the election had concluded to close them, but before they were actually closed, a democrat offered his vote. The judges were disposed to allow him the right of suffrage, which belongs to every freeman; but one of the clerks refused to register his name, alleging, that as the judges had ordered him to close the polls, he intended to do so; notwithstanding it had not yet been done, neither had the time expired, fixed by law, for the closing of the polls. With such impunity have the laws been violated and the rights of voters infringed. In this manner have the whigs achieved their inglorious victory, and the Democrats been cozened out of one Representative from Pulaski county. Are we to let such dereliction of duty on the part of election officers pass by without the proper reprehension? And are the infringement of the rights of voters, and the consequent fraudulent election of a member to the legislature, such trivial and unimportant matters as to be regarded with silence? I should think that the very mention of the late election in this county would make the whigs blush for their treachery and their fraud. I would warn the democracy to be on the alert on next Monday, and see that the laws are respected, and that every eligible voter has granted to him the right of suffrage. The frauds practiced at the late election were only a prelude to those which will be perpetrated on next Monday, if we are not watchful of our interests. Democrats! be on your guard, ready to thwart the machinations of the enemy!

ALEXIS.