New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-17
PRESIDENTIAL PROSPECTS.


Light is dawning Strong proof that Gov.
HAYES has really triumphed is seen IN the
exceedingly bad temper of his opponents, and
in the absurdly contradictory claims upon which
they rely. For example, we are RECALLED with
elaborate disquiSitiOns to prove that one Re
publican candidate for eectOr, for whom the
people of Vermont gave an overwhelming ma
iority, was cOnstitutionally ineligible, and that,
in consequence, the Democratic candidate
having the highest vote has been chosen.
Though it is not clear that the disguallica-
ton applies until the Governor of the
State issues the certificate of election, and the
elector enters upon his duties, Mr.. Caleb Cush-
inc, a Democratic lawyer of distinction, hold
ing that it does not, and though the blunder,
if il be one, can easily be remedied by the
other electors, who have power to fill the va
cancy, and it has been repeatedly decided that
votes cast in good faith for an Ineligible can
didate are not so far void as TO permit the
election of his opponent, still the Democrats
cling to this straw with the tenacity of despe-
rate men. Is it not plain that they would
waste no time upon such an uncertain claim,
if they were confident that Mr.. Tilden was
entitled to more than n majority of the electo-
raj votes by the verdict of South Carolina,
Florida, or Louisiana Equally effective as
proof that they have no faith in their own
Claims, is the absorbing interest they take in
the case of the Oregon elector. 1t is In the
power of the Secretary of State to give Ger:
tifcate to one man for whom the people did
not vote, but it is equally in the power OF the
other two electors when they meet, to observe
the fact that the illegally returned person was
not elected to fill the vacancy, and to forward
three votes in accordance with the will of the
people Would Democrats build great hopes
on so frail foundation if they were sure that
Louisiana had honestly voted for Mr.. Tilden?
Equally frivolous is their hope that the Gov
emOr of California may defeat the will of the
people of that State by assuming judicial
powers which the law does not give him, and
refusing certificates to the electors chosen.
There are easy legal remedies in such a case.
No intelligent Democrat has disputed that the
majority of the people in California voted for
Republican electors, and it will he quite as
easy for the Governor of North Carolina to
convince himself that Democratic electors were
not chosen without fraud as for the Governor
of California to refuse certificates to Republic
cans Is it not obvious that the Demo
Gratis would not invite such cOntrOver-
sizes if they were satisfied as to their
legal triumph in Louisiana Day after day
the Democratic journals reiterate the assertion
that Everybody knows" that Florida and
South Carolina have really given a majority
to Mr.. Tden, and yet the same papers insist
every day that if the vote of Louisiana is de-
clared against HIM il will rob" him Of an
election. Have they not sense enough to see
that they virtually confess that the other
States have voted against him, even while
they loudly declare that he has carried them
Can they not see that claims so obviously i'm
pudcnt in the case of South Carolina destroy
all confidence in similar claims as to Louisiana
This business is becoming very plain. The
Democrats tried to elect Mr. Tilden by stu
pendous Dragging. Now they are trying to
get him counted in by impudent blufling. The
ST. Louis Times of the 18th editOrially de-
clares ave will either have Tilden or a
"fghtn This is language fit for the insane
ASYLUM or the Jail. If the words come from a
person legally and morally responsible, they
cntitle him TO protection against himself in a
strait Jacket. If they come from one who
knows their meaning, they entitle HIM to
place inside the first hangman's moose that
may be prepared for those who get up
light against the United States. He may
rest assured that the loyal people who were
willing to forgive those who took part in the
rebellion of 1861 will see to it, if another re-
bellion should occur, that treason shall be
made odious by the punishment of some of
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those who engage in or incite it.
The country will patiently wait the legal de-
cision of the, proper authorities. 1t will not
countenance any abuse or stTaining of Their
power, but it will none the less insist that the
laws shall be fully and faithfully enforced.
When the proper authorities declare the re-
suit the country will see that those who are
lawfully elected shall be duly inaugurated.
Dragging, claiming, raving, and foul words
will go for nothing. We have no idea that