Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-17
Mode of Electing President.

Mode of Electing President.
The democratic organs parade in their
columns tho popular maiorities by States
of the two candidates for President, and
then point TO the fact that Tilden has n
majority in the aggregate popular vote
and claim that therefore he should be
President A similar result has occurred
in previous elections. In 1874 Polk was
elected by the Electoral College, although
Clay had popular majority of 24,119
votes. In 1856 Buchanan was elected by
the Electoral College although in mi
nority of 377 $40 ut the polls. In 1860
Lincoln was elected by the Electoral Col
lege although in a minority Of 9ii,l49 at
the polls.
If the democrats could take any posi-
ton or exhibit any want of consistency
or honesty in reaching for political pow
err that would surprise the country, their
carping at the result mentioned and
threatening resistance to the election OF
Gov. Hayes on account of it would have
that effect. Our electoral college system
is based on the principle of State rights,
that idea which is the chief corner stone of
democracy. In finding fault with its OPP
Grafton they quarrel with the theory on
which their party is founded. TO elect
the President by a majority Of the total
popular vote without regard to State lines
would be to overthrow the theory OF
State rights on the most important OF all
political questions where it comes into
play Seriously, what do they propose to
do about this thing? Having had one
bloody rebellion TO sustain the doctrine
of State rights, do they now think of get
ting up another 10 put the State rights
principle underfoot because it counts
against Mr.. Tilden?
The present mode of electing President
answers one excellent purpose, which its
authors perhaps did not dream Of, aud for
which the people ought to be thankful.
1t has prevented Mr.. Tilden being elect
ed by frauds at the polls, and as long as
tempts to elect democratic President
by such Infamous means. How did Mr..
Tilden obtain his majority on the popular
vote 1t was by fraud and bribery in the
North, and by the shotgun and revolver
as well as election frauds in the South
While the democrats have the patronage
and largely the wealth of New York city,
and the alliance Of the Catholic Church
and the villainous elements that swarm
in the city, they have the power to add
tens of thousands of fraudulent votes to the
democratic side if necessary, as they did
in 1868, when it was estimated they in
creased their vote by fraud at least 3d.
900. So in the South their majorities
would dwindle to minorities in several of
the States if a fair vote without intimida-
ton and correct count could have been
had, as in the States of the North which
are under republican rule. Mississippi,
Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Ar
kansas, Tennessee, States in which the
democrats now claim an aggregate ma
jority in the popular vote of 252 900,
would have given majorities upon the re-
publican side but for the shotgun policy
which drove republican voters away from
the polls by thousands or compelled them
to vote the democratic ticket
Viewing the check which the present
mode of electing President puts upon the
frauds of the democrats, we can see why
they might wish an election by the popu-
lar vote, but their State rights principles
would get fearful wrenching in the at
tempt TO make a change.