, 1876-12-09
They Cannot Aaord II.

| Inc repuOilchu returning poarCs IN tne
| disputed States are already, as is inevitable
from their constitution, justly objects OF pub
lie suspicion. In the opinion of the mos.
candid and unbiased indges these returning
boards are more likely to commit frauds than
to make an honest return. Many republic
cans believe that Louisiana has east Il major
| ity for Hayes; bat it Is safe TO say that if
the returning board. sitting in secret, or act
ing in any manner which could be called uu-
fair, should declare this result, such is the
notorious character of Its members as un-
scrupulous ard reckless partisans that no.
one intelligent republican in the country
would feel any greater assurance of the re-
suit than before. And the Same is true of
South Carolina.
Under these circumstances we repeat that
the republican leaders cannot afford to count
in Governor Hayes without such precautions
about the count as shall absolutely set at
rest all doubts upon the subject. They can
not afford it, bec.use 10 do 50 would outrage
the sense Of fair play and honest dealing
which lies at the bottom of the American
character; because the uncertainty and doubt
resulting from a well founded suspicion of
wrong would make themselves felt in the
most deplOrable depression of business; il a
shock to national and private credit; in the
depreciation of our bonds; 10 the sending
home of American securities; in a general
feeling Of insecurity, which would send gold
into the fifties or higher; would paralyze in
dustry and trade; would cause thousands OF
business failures, aud would, il fact, bank
rupt the eouStry.
We will grant everything TO the republican
leaders; grant that they observe every pArti-
Gle of the bad laws they have enacted down
there; grant that they not only count in Mr.
Hayes, but carry the count through Con-
gress; grant that they actually install Mr..
Hayes in the White House on the 4th Of
March and, after all, if they have not COM
ple,ely satisfied the intelligent public opiu-
ion of the country that the count is just and
honest, nothing they can do Will give either
content or security or permanence to the gem
raj interests of the country. All industries
and commerce will be struck with paralysis.
No capitalist will venture ON enterprises TO
merchant will dare 10 lay in a stock OF goods,
because no prudent consumer viii buy more
than he needs from week to week; no SEN
sble man will buy our bonds or hold them;
no manufacturer will cs.u-e &c produce be-
yond his actual cash orders credit between
man aud man will be gone; the number of
the unemployed viii increase tenfold; power
ty and want will overwbelm tbe country.
Now, at administration producing such
effects upon the country, and producing them
by the mere fact Of its holding power. could
not hope to live beyond the next election.
All the causes which affect public opinion
aud turn votes would co operate to sweep the
republican leaders into disgraceful retirement.
Their President would fad himself, from the
day he entered the White House, an object
of suspicion aud dislike TO the great majority
of his fellow citizens and an object of con-
temptous pity To his personal friends and po-
liticAI allies. At the close of two years be
would be faced by a Congress in which both
houses would he bis political opponents. sent
there by an indignant and suffering, people
What Is the use of sach victory? To such
adventures as Spencer. Chamberlain. Pack
ard, Kellogg, Elliot, Moses, WhipPer and
their allies in the South, anything which
will keep them in power and plumber for even
another year will be satisfactory. But there
are honorable men among the republican
leaders Of the North. Can they agord 10 sac
r.fce the IDEAS for which they have acted
can they afford TO sacrifice themselves in such
a way? We believe not.
1t is a very great misfortune for the repub-
lican party that the men whom the admins
tration has encouraged and supported in the
South axe adveatuIers; persons, in many
case--. Of infamous character; desperate and
unscrupulous politicians in all. who hesitate
| at no fraud TO maintain themselves in power.
Hitherto the Moth has paid little attention
10 tae u.isireds Of the Kelloggs, Packards,
Spencers, Chamberlains and WhipPers. 81
long as only predominance IN the Southern
States was the o5ect Of these men the North
eru republicans seemed willing for the a5-
mipjstrstion TO take what course il pleased n
! the Sou;h but the last two elections show
! that this careleSsness was more apparent than
real. and the Northern people at the recent
election expressed in strong terms their dis
! spproval Of the republican mismsnagemsnt
| ~ the South. In the recent election the re-
Dnblicsn maiorities in the Northern States
alone were 233. 600 les than in 1868, and
59f 900 less than in 1872 But now We come
,o . mint. where these di>reputabie allies OF
the party are 10 give II, by doubtful means,
its President What will the country-ai-
ready awake, ss these figures shoH-What
will il think. what will It do al the next
election, if the republican leaders dare TO al
low their candidate to be counted IN oy
doubtful means and in a manner which shall
not satisfy both parties as honest or tAlrf-A-
7. HsYGii.
A CLERGYMAN, who had just made the
change from Unitariauism to the Eplscopa-
liaus. wrote note to Freeman Clarke, head
-, Sr Stenben's Day." and Clarke an