Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1876-11-30
The National Democrats Programme
in Case = Struggle Should Arise.

in Case . Struggle should Arse.
The Hon. Ciarksnn y. Potter, Of New
York, mas written to the Herald Il long
and remarkable letter, Which will attract
wide attention, because the public will
regard it-as it, in fact, is-as an authen-
tic exposition Of the views of the demo-
cratic leaders or questions Of the first
magnitude and gravcst importance, and
an authorized announcement Of what
the democratic party will do, or al least
attempt to do, in great and formidable
conjuncture which is not unlikely 10
arise. This elaborate lottcr is altogether
moro significant than anything which
has yet been promulgated in connection
with the delicate constitutional questions
which are to he tho staple Of discussion
for the ensuing two months. 1t is Il
strong presentation of Mr.. Tilden's case
and of the course of proceeding which
will be adopted by his friends in the
event of the vote OF Louisiana being
counted for Mr.. Hayes. Mr.. Potter is n
near neighbor of the democratic candi
date, an intimate personal friend who
has his fullest confidence, lawyer Of
distinguished :bility, statesman whose
fairness Of mind is universally conceded,
citizen OF the highest consideration
such q man, in short, ~ Mr.. Tilden
would naturally select to be the expo
nent of his views and purposes in
matter which so nearly concerns him
nd his party. Pottor'a singularly alb G
manifesto must be regarded az a great
lcal more than the individual decla-
ration Of Mr.. Potter. 1t is Tho careful
~ prepared democratic ease put into the
shape in which II is to go before Congress
in tho final struggle, if struggle there is
to be 1t is the programme of action
marked out III advance for the omcrgen-
cies which may arise during the count
ing Of the electoral votes il the presence
of Congress on the second Wednesday of
February. AS such it demands and will
receive universal publicity in, every part
Of the United States. As sU9h iS,clsl-
iengcs scrutiny and discussion By the
most gifted and best equipped constitu
tional reasoners in the republican party,
whose logical acumen and legal ingonui
ty will be called into activity in ass.iling
the positions of this semi-ofiicial demo
cratic mariiesto.
We pass Mr.. Po:ter's long Introductory
recital Of the election frauds perpetrated
in Louisiana during the last lour years.
This is an old beaten story, or which the
public judgment was long since termed.
We admit that it supplies ample reasons
for regarding the Reforming Eoard Of
that State with suspicion and for watch
ing its proceedings with vigilance; but,
after all, tho result in Louisiana must be
judged by In facts Of this election. How
ever strong may be the presumption Of
fraud founded on the action Of Ibis Board
in former elections nothing can be az
ceptet. as proofs of iiis OCCASION bat au-
.heGticatcd facts conn4c.cI Wit! t!aa
present count. The only pertinent queS-
ion is whether the dcinocrayic pa!tyot
Louisiana mas been Cheated in ths pa
tic,i!ar election of 1875.
The letter of Mr.. Potter assumed in
advance of specific proofs, tha. this will
be the case, and on this basis it proceeds
to discuss the proper methods OF redress
The whole interest of the discussion lies
in what he has to say on this great branch
of the subject.
at present n-e viii oncreI:- s.s.:s III,
positions. ard briefly su;riaa.iz3 his r.:
gu;non,a, Without pidart.::.::;; 10 les
any iudgmen. Oh thoir Sonninesa. ".
fotte'. n'ai:tars that tilu President nf
the Senate has no Independent authority
70 count the votes and declare tho result,