New National Era

Protection of the Ballot.

Leading Democratic journals are much exercised because of the disposition of Congress to protect the citizens of the United States in their exercise of the elective franchise. Protection by the General Government has been made necessary to the safety of black voters in the Southern States because the Democratic party (now merging into the Liberal Republican party) have considered it their right to murder and intimidate all persons opposed to them. The bayonet of the Government comes in against the violence of armed men who violate the laws of the land by attempting to deprive citizens of the exercise of the elective franchise. It is not used to make men vote either this way or that way, but to protect them in voting in whatever way they may choose. What wrong is there in this? Who is in any way injured? Protection of voters means that Republicans shall not be allowed to use force or unlawful means to drive Democrats from the polls, nor shall Democrats be allowed unlawfully to drive Republicans away. This is pronounced by the Patriot of this city a "daring scheme of usurpation," endangering the very foundations of civil liberty. Any one not blinded by party passion and negro hate can readily see how foolish and false is the position taken by the Patriot. Of what value is this Government if it does not protect its citizens in the exercise of those rights which distinguish it from tyrannical and monarchical governments. It is easy to understand from the opposition made by Democrats and Liberal Republicans to all measures for real protection of voters in what condition we may expect to find ourselves should that combination succeed in obtaining control of the Government. All their opposition to the enforcement act, the Ku-Klux bill, and the civil rights bill goes to show that success for them means a strong effort to subjugate the negro.