Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-12-05
Political.

Political.
For once. the daily and weekly papers
OF this country have been inyeigled into
publishing serial stories-no, 10 use the
more emphatic term, lies. TRe ia.e cleo
ton has furnished subject matter Tor
romance. comedy and tragedy, and every
partisan who can wag goose quill or
thumb The knob vi battery, has given
tull play 10 his fancy. Some people Cyi-
jen,ly think the newspaper Fraternity Is
possessed OF Information which, made
public, would set at res: the present III
certainty concerning so important mat
ter. Hence the question. Who is 10 be
our next President - has become more
burdensome than s;ereotyped remarks on
the westher-ior il lacks the variety !ur-
nished this latter topic in so chapgeable
Climate. But, Tor once, the editor and
omnipresent reporter are "stumped. -
They know no more what is 10 Issue IRON
this turmoil thar docs the humb,Cs, read
e.. Excitement ruuS 50 high that j, is
impossible TO obtain uncOlorel facts
At present writing the situation is. as
near Is We can ascertain. unchanged
the result pendant upon Fiorida. South
Carolina aud louisiana, with tie latter
State as pivot.
The vote Of South Carolina has been
declared. The ballots as presented tor
counting, 10 the State C.nvaSsing Board,
gave Hayes cleo Ors a majority, but to
the conservatives Governor and other
local officials. The South Carolina Board
has always Investigated alleged irregu-
larities. and where fraud wsS apparent,
such vote was cast out. Charges Of q
most serious character were made col
corning the vote OF Ejg,he.d and Lsu-
Teus Counties These we're Investigated.
irregularities proved and the ballots
thrown ou'. There was Jr.Hg utric
evidence OF fraud in this case, Tor Ibe
vote indicated conservative majority
greater than the whole certified regis,rs-
lion. Alter performing is worS, the
Board adjourned. soon. wits, issued
by the Supreme Court OF tha; Safe, to
each member ot The late Board, ordered
them to assemble and recount The vote.
Doubling the authority OF this Court TO
control their action, they declined 10
obey. and were committed 10 Jail for
con,emP,. Alter 4 lew days OF cohiiae-
ment they were released on wri.S from
the Uoited States Court In The mean
lime the Legislature assembled. Actiog
under o.ders from The present Governor.
United States soldiers prevented mem
bers Of the contested districts from sitting
with those lawfully declared eltc;ed -
This action led the Democrats 10 retire
in body. They assembled ia another
building, admitted the members from
LAurens and Elgefeld. and voted Them
selves the Legislature OF South Carolina.
Thus the State has two Legislatures now
D session.
IL is most unfortunate that The National
Government should lie called upon 10
interfere with 3 body claiming to be The
highes: power 10 so Individual State
But in cases similar to this, there can be
but two remedies-one sn sppeal to arms.
the other an appeal 10 general govern
ment. When opposing forces arise in
nation, there can be no settlement until
strength has cor q1ered. The victor is
declared TO be in The right, and affairs
sgain move in their accustomed course.
Each OF these United States Is little
nation, entitled 10 control It's affairs as
such until factions threaten war. Then,
Tor the Interests OF peace and humanity,
the National Government has u duty to
perform; and it must no, be deferred by
cries OF partisauship or OF Federal inter
ference. Not only the law OF humanity
but the provisions OF our Constitution
direct that violence and blood shall not
prevail. Little doubt is there, also. that
Justice will lie as eOrr,e ely administered
when the most distinguished minis OF
the nation decAIe Tor one side, as would
be The case were brute force 10 ti1mph
The United States must settle these q1es-
iions OF jurisdiction aud cr-rgJody mus,
acquiesce in i;s dscisioa. Tue man VINO
does no: is traitor and ought TO be
hanged.
The Florida Board counted all votes
returned, aal thus the Hayes Electors
have - majority. The Democrats claim
that they can show errors and Irregular
tiles sufficient to overcome this mai ,rity.
There now seems to &c no doubt that the
J. ecioral vote Of Florida will be cast iOr
Hayes; tor every time that se&rche, have
been made bebiad the returns, il these
) Utbern States, more D-m.cra.ic than
Republican irregularities have been IN
covered. Probably The vote will be
llowed TO remain as il now stands.