The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-20

THE ONE QUESTION AGITAT1NG THE COUNTRY
POSSIBILITY OF A FAIR REPORT FROM RADl-
CAL RETURNING! .BoARDS-GRANT'S WISHES
AND CHANDELIERS ASSURANCEs-o F cE-
HOLDERS FEELING MERRY-THE STORM
ABOUT TO BURST, ETC., ETC. ...@tH~Hs' ="
:, correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
III '."4Ta~ NOVEMBER 16, 1876.
+ But one question agitates the capital now,
and that has the same interest in New ork,
in Chicago, in Richmond, and in every other
CITY of the country that it has here. 1t is
the simple query, What will the Return ing
Boards do ? And this relates to Louisiana
and Florida only. South Carolina Is now
regarded certain for Hayes. Very few who
have been studying the canvass from. this
standpoint had the temerity to believe that
the State would go otherwise. Hampton,
with fair vote, it was thought would sue
ceed in carrying it, but that Tilden could
do so might with no degree OF improperly
be regarded as simply an imposslblllty.
Now, strange as it may seem to those who
are familiar with the delightfully."- cool i'm
pudeuce and chicanery Of the leading
Radical wire-pullers in Louisiana, the
impression nevertheless stands with
some very positive Democrats here that
the Returning Board in that State, which is
relied upon by the io1oer order of the Radi-
cal element here, will not commit the fraud
ulent act OF refusing to recognize Demo;
cratic maiorities which plainly appear to
them. The better men OF the Republican
organization do not want such q consum-
nation Of downright wickedness. Presi-
dent Grant, who hopes that his administra7
ton will close with honorable actions, does
not desire It.; and their best men in the
North, if their words may be regarded as
of more than tri1ing value, cannot afford to
recognize any such Villainy. There will be
no glory to gain BY any Returning Board
who IN such way Shall commit fat perjury.
And SO it seems that there are those here in
tile Democratic ranks so magnanimouS as
to believe that the truth will BE suffered to
prevail Evil consequences must ensue il
| it does not to those who perYert It. We
must think or the immense responsibility
resting with that . Louisiana Returning
Board, little in every sense though its
| mem bers be-. It must take more than the
boosted Spartan courage Of Packard and his
Submissive men to- do d thing for which,
when they are shown to have done wrong,
! they will be reyiled and despised by the en-
| tire country. ~" a.'t -. :. ~.
TOT course President Grant wants to be
succeeded BY Hayes, and Of couse he thinks
that he WILDE. Chandler tells him every day
4 that the tintegrity OF the republic depends
upon it that Hayes is certainly elected and
that he will be inaugurated, and Chandler
is the highest political authority in the Cab
met. Greater even than Robson. He is as
Yindictive as Satan, and when he means bu-
siness will ride rough-shod over law, order,
majorities, and religion itself, he may have
suggestions to make to Returning Boards !;
u mt h;c
can afford to pay some regard to the rights
OF voters in their sections which the grand
leader OF the frightened party will never,
never do. - SIS -,
The grand army of ofioe-holders have
taken heart lately. They now hope to be
saved, and every report from their parti-
sans contains to themthe assurance that they
will be. One thing is absolutely certain ::
Complications thicken everywhere. What
the Democratic House of Representatives
will do in the event Of paIpably fraudulent
returns from Louisiana or Florida is d mat
ter of surmises, speculations, and theories
innumerable. No Democratic Boosting is
heard Of anywhere; but there are earnest
discussions as to possibilities that may hap.
pen in the very near future. The leaders
of the party are looking at events without
passion or prejudice, but 1t must be regard:
ed that they are at heart determined that
the country shall have prompt and official
notice OF means taken to overthrow the
rights OF the majority. TIL \ 1855 ~
The present is certainly a calm before d
storm Of some kind what that storm will
betoken OF can only be deyined when Ii
comes. The northern people no less than
the people OF the South desire profound
piping peace. The interests OF the entire
country demand il. Seventy per cent. Of the
moneyed interests, the bond capital. and
solid stocks located in New York and the
New England States insist upon 1t. There
must be, and the leaders OF parties believe;
there can be, no net, Lending to violence; but
on this dry OF our Lord everything Isl
doubtful as to what events In this country
are now on the eve Of happening /. (.
g s TrMoN. 81,