New-York tribune., 1876-10-30


used by the enemy.
We shall make public in few days the de-
tails of the measures taken to prevent repe-
tilion of the Tweed and Tiiden frauds OF lSGS.
These statements will encourage our friends
throughout the country to believe as We no.
that the conspiracy to steal the vote of New
York has been already defeated.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FRAUDULENT REG
IS7RATIDN.
The registration is over. 1t was intended 10
elect Mr.. 1Ildcn, ard it ought to defeat him.
Put everything else aside; suppose that on
every other issue he deserves success; ana yet
the single fact that there are 10000 Illegal YoteS
REGISTERED in this city, Brooklyn and Jersey City
ought TO convince every honest citizen thar II
is his duty to vote against Mr.. Tilden and his
party. Peitfogging diSgIlises will not serve
here. We all know by which party these things
are done We all know, also, that there Is one
man in New-YOrk who cannot possibly be lgno-
rant of them, who might have stopped them
at any moment and who consents to tins whole
sale robbery of the people just as he seemed 10
consent before, when the same thing was done
bv the thieves of Tammany. But this time he
consents without the possibility of Ignorance )
be looks on in silence, when a word from him
would stop the swindle, because he wants to
be President
Many crimes have been laid at Mr.. Tilden's
door. most of them, as we think. false!yO
lut not one as black as this OF when
his own conduct accuses him. They say he
stole railroads, wronged clients, dcirauGed the
revenue These are mere peccadllloes heslhe
the stupendous crime of robhing the nation OF
selr-goycrnmcnt. Mr.. Tildcn's friends are try
inc to steal The Presidency. Filching railroads
becomes mere petty larceny by comparison
Who can measure the decentralization when
would flow from one successful attempt 10
secure the Presidency by fraudi We may rs
well wipe out all laws against Illegal voting
we may as well open our jails and take from
them the most notorious rcpcatcrs To serve us
in places of honor, if the man who knows that
the nation is being robbed of the right to
choose its chief ruler, and uttcrs not a word
to restrain his followers, can be- chosen Prcsi-
dent of these United States. The receiver Is "a
bad as the thief. The man who knowingly
accepts periurcd voting places himself on
level with the pcriurcr.
We have not been willing 10 believe that
Mr.. Tilden was personally cognlzant oi the
Infamous frauds pcrpctrated by Tammany in
1868. He pleads Ignorance, and in the
absence of proof is entitled to his plea But
now he cannot be ignorant. He cannot have
forgotten what infamous things were done
eight years ago, Eor in what districts; the
most Gallons creature on earth cannot have Tor
gotten the scorchng facts of Mr. Grcccy's
letter. Mr. Tildcn has been Chairman of the
Democratic State Committee. and, aS a candi-
date. has now more direct interest than ever
in the personal supervision of the campaign in
his, the city of his home. lie has read in
TIE TEIHrNr proof that the very crimes
committed 10y Tammany in lsGS are now be-
ing repeated to secure his election. No man
living will doubt that be has then turned to
tie reports Of registration III certain we'll
known districts to see what they prove. He
knows the city well. The figures have told
him the magnitude OF the robbery. AID yet
so far rs the public can perceive, hc has not
lifted his little finger to prevent II, but per
mts without oLiccti N, repcalcrs 20 rob the
people for him if they can, even while he asks
the votes of decent citizens as a great re-
former.
Laws against fraud are worse than worthless
if public sentiment holds tO no responsibility
the party leaders and candidates who cause
the fraud. There is but one way to preserve
the purity of the baliot-box and the Liberties
of the pcope. The mere form Of seii-goyeIn-
mcnt will soon bo abandoned rs costly
swindle. if elections are to be decided by OPP
posing gangs OF rcpedtcrs Elections Vii be
so decided. in spite of all the laws that can be
devised, if we only punish the poor, ignorant
tools. but honor and elect the men who cause
or countrnance their crime Mr.. Samuel j.
Tndcn is personally responsible for the frauds
which he knows to exist aud refuses 10 pre-
vent. 4 word from ham would stop this rob
berry. If he does not speak that word, he
ought to be held To strict responsibility as the
chief of the robbers.