Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-20
From the New York Tribune.
Presidential Prospects.

Light is dawning. Strong proof that
Gov. Hayes has really triumphed is seen
in the exceedingly bad temper of his OPP
ponents, and in the absurdy contradictory
claims upon which they rely. For exam
pie, we are RECALLED with elaborate dis
QUESTIONS to prove that one republican
candidate for elector, for whom the people
of Vermont gave an overwhelming ma
jority, was constitutionally ineligible, and
that. in consequence, the democratic can
didate having the highest vote has been
chosen. Though 1t is not clear that the
disqualification applies until the gov
ernor of the State issues the certificate Of
election, and the elector enters upon his
duties, Mr.. Caleb Gushing. a democratic
lawyer of distinction, holding that it does
not. and though the blunder, ii II be one,
can easily be remedied by the other elect
ors, who have power to ill the vacancy,
and it has been repeatedly decided that
votes cast in good faith for an ineligible
candidate are not so far void as to permit
the election of his opponent, still the dem
ocrats cling to this straw with the tenaciiy
of desperate men. Is it not plain that
they would waste no time upon such an
uncertain claim, If they were confident
that Mr.. Tilden was entitled to more than
a majority of the electoral votes by the
lot 81 a.
louisiana Equally effective, as proofs
that they have no faith in their own claims,
is the absorbing interest they take in the
case of the Oregon elector. II is in the
power of the Secretary of State to give
certificate to one man for whom the people
did not vote, but it is equally in the power
of the other two electors, when they meet.
to observe the fact that the illegally re-
turned person was not elected to Gil the
vacancy, and TO forward three votes in ac-
cordance with the will of the people.
Would democrats build great hopes on so
frail foundation If they were sure that
Louisiana had honestly voted for Mr.. Til
denp .#f
Equally frivolous is their hope that the
governor of California may defeat the will
of the people Of that State by assuming
Judicial powers which the law does not
give him, and refusing certificates to the
electors chosen. There are easy ,lega,
remedies in such case No intelligent
democrat has disputed that the majority
of the people in California voted for re-
publican electors. and it will be quite as
easy for the governor of North Carolina
to convince himself that democratic elect
ors were not chosen without fraud as for
the governor of California to refuse GER
tificates to republicans. Is it not obvious
that the democrats would not invite such
Controversies ii they were satisfied as 10
their legal triumph in louisiana Day al
ter day the democratic journals reiterate
the assertion that everybody knows" that
Florida and South Carolina have really
given almajority TO Mr.. Tilden,' and yet
the same papers insist every day thai if
the vote of Louisiana is declared against
him ii will "rob'' him of an election.
Have they not sense enough to see that
the other States have voted against him,
even while they loudly declare that he has
carried themp Can they not see thai claims
so obviously impudent in the case of South
Carolina destroy all confidence in similar
claims as to Louisiana?
This business is becoming very plain.
The democrats tried to e'rct Mr.. 1flden
by stapendous Dragging, Now they are
trying to get him counted in by impudent
biuiiing. The St. Louis Times of the 14th
editorially declares: I'VE will either have
Tilden or fight" This is language fit
for the insane asylum or the Jail. Ii the
words come from person legally and
morally responsible, they entitle him to
protection against himself In a strait
jacket. II they come from one who
knows their meaning. they entitle him to
a place inside the FIRST hangman's moose
that may be prepared for those who get up
a "fght7 against the United States. He
may rest assured that the loyal people who
were willing 10 forgive those who took
part in the rebellion of 1861 will see to ii,
II another rebellion should occur, that
treason shall be made odious by the pun
ishnent Of some Of those who engage In
or incite It.
The country will patiently wait The legal
decision Of the proper authorities. 1t will
not countenance any abuse or straining of
their power. but it will none the less insist