Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-26
TIE PROPOSED DIVIDE OF OFFICES;

Heekty-P0Stdge JTee'
TIE PROPOSED DIVIDE or OFFICES.
1t has been suggested in high political
circles that some sort Of a compromise
will be agreed upon between the Demo
Gratis and Republicans; that the election
of President will be thrown into the
House and Tilden elected President and
Wheeler Weep President. To any such
q proposition we are firmly opposed. II
Mr. Tilden was elected and is to be
seated, that election carries with 1t the
election of Thomas A. Hendricks as
Vice President. There is a higher prin-
ciple involved than the distribution OF
government patronage to one party or
the other. The Democrats have not
been kept together these long years by
the hope of eventually holding fat Offices
and enjoying the hsnors Of place, but
by a respect for constitutional govern
ment aud a desire to see the liber-
ties Of the country preserved. Elec-
lions are held to ascertain the will
Of the people. A majority voted for
Tilden and Hendricks or for Hayes
and Wheeler. We surrender and degrade
the elective principle and the most Vi
tai theories Of our form Of government,
If we consent to an arrangement for q
division Of the spells. If Governor
HAYES has been elected 80 has Wheeler
and both should be inaugurated. What
Justice, virtue or necessity is there in
excluding Governor Hayes, if he was
fairly elected, and admitting Mr.. Wheel
err The very suggestion Of such q com.
promise implies that we are a nation o.
Office seekers, and the highest aim o
parties is to hold Office, and reward par
tisans. Unfortunately, We have seen thi
idea grow up within a party in the las
sixteen years until it has become a grea
evil of the times. Mr.. Tilden havinI
been elected fairly and legally, he shoult
be iuaDgurated President and Hendrick
as Vice.President. If this cannot b
done, let the Democratic party pescslul
ly and resoluteIy appeal to the bette
judgment and innate sense of justice 0
the whole people,snd wait for the next OF
portunity at the ballot box, and then To
Republican party will be o%verwhelme
in a inal and lasting defeat. II we b
come a party to Wheeler's inauguratio
as Vice President and President Of th
Senate, we condone a crime and an Ga
rage and could no more have the face {
make a struggle for pure principle
sake. A msjOrity of the popular vot
was cast for Tilden, and if the electio
could be held to morrow his moiorit
would be increased another quarter Of
million votes. Thousands Of honest, il
telligent Republicans, who have slsay
been such, are Disguised at the use
troops to carry elections and perp tat
carpst-hsg governments, and still loot
at the ~effrontery and villainy of return
ing boards, who have disregarded ID
votes cast and counted in Hayes On
Wheeler. The Republican party hl
lost ia moral support, and the lea.
ers have weakened in their purpoi
before the firm bearing Of the Dem
cratic party or they wouldn't talk
a compromise. They cannot admit N
Tildeu's election without eoceeding Il
same to Hendricks. We do not belie'
that Mr.. Tilden would accept the pl4.
on such conditions. Stock jobbing po
ticians, who are always looking out 4
the strong side and not knowing wh
the result Of this case may be, are wi
ing to trade with either side that "
keep them in Office. The great mass
Of the Democratic party will tolerate
Pach triAing. Papers that have coqu'
ted with both sides may favorthe schsI
as an easy solution Of the diaicu.
which has arisen under our peculi
electoral system. the leading men of c
party will not. We have not thought
any time that there was any %probabil
of such an agreement, much less tina
wonld be satisfactory 10 the people
large; but cannot Withhold this express
in regard to a possible issue.