The New York herald., 1876-11-19
They canno, Afford II.

HeastS 10 iHeir proceedings, SHOWS tuat tAc
reckless politicians down there, who at first
apparently thought it safe TO proceed in
contempt and defence of public opinion,
have begun to feel the force Of the general
demand for fair play.
The HERALD, as an Independent journal,
committed to neither party, and represent
ing fairly the honest sentiments Of the mass
of Americans, has from the first demanded
the utmost the most conspicuous fair play
in the count OF the vote. While it required
that the democratic leaders should await the
action of the returning boards in absolute
patience and sharply told them of the fatal
error they would make if, in ad
vance of any proof that wrong was
intended or done. they stirred up susp-
cion and strife, and irritated and misled the
ignorant and thoughtless of their constitu-
cncy, it, at the same time, plainly and con-
tinually warned the republican leaders that
their means and instruments in the disputed
States were justly objects Of suspicion !;
that they could not afford to count in
their candidate except in n manner
which would satisfy all reasonable men
of his election, and that they could
much better afford to lose the election than
to take any even apparently unfair advantage,
which should leave a doubt in the public
mind. We rejoice to see that these repre-
sentations begin to bear fruit. AS they
come face to face with tho situation the re-
publican leaders begin to see that, as the
HERALD told them, they dare not insult the
people BY high-handed and indecent
secret proceedings in the returning
boards. They begin to see that
in this matter they must conform them
selves to tho proper requirements Of the
public. The people care little who is to be
President, but they are peremptory in their
demand that nothing shall be omitted
which is needful to satisfy men of all par
ties that there has been fair, honest
count.
The republican returning boards in the
disputed States are already. as is inevitable
from their constitution, justly objects of
public suspicion. In the opinion Of the
most candid and unbiased judges these
returning boards are more likely to commit
republicans believe that Louisiana has cast
n majority for Mr.. Hayes but it is safe to
say that if the Returning Board, sitting in
secret, or acting in any manner which could
be called unfair, should declare this result,
such is tho notorious character Of it's men,
bers as unscrupulous and reckless parti-
sans that not one intelligent republican in
the country would feel any greater assurance
of the result 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 pre-
cautions about the count rs shall absolutely
set at rest oil doubts upon the subject.
They cannot afford it, because to do so
would outrage the sense Of fair play and
honest dealing which lies at the bottom of
the American character because the un-
certainty and doubt resulting from a
well founded suspicion Of wrong would
make themselves felt in the most deplorable
depression of business ; in shock to national
and private credit in the depreciation Of
our bonds ; in the sending home of Amer
lean securities in general feeling of inse-
curity, which would send gold into the
tifties or higher would paralyze industry
and trade; would cause thousands of busi-
ness failures, and would, in fact, bankrupt
the country.
We will grant everything to tho rcpubli-
can leaders ; grant that they observe every
particle of the bad laws they have enacted
down there grant that they not only count
in Mr.. Hayes, but carry tho count through
Congress grant that they actually install
Mr. Hayes in the White House on the 4th
of March; and, after oil, if they have not
completely satisfied the intelligent public
opinion of the country that the count is just
and honest, nothing they can do will give
either content or security or perma-
nence to the general interests of the
country. All industries and commerce will
be struck with paralysis. No capitalist will
venture on enterprises; no merchant will
dare to lay in stock of goods, because no
prudent consumer will buy more than he
needs from week to week no sensible man
will buy our bonds or hold them; no man.
ufacturer will venture to produce beyond
his actual cash orders; credit between man
and man will be gone; the number of the
unemployed will increase tenfold; poverty
and want will oycrwhelm tho country.
Now, an administration producing such
effects upon the country, and producing
them by the mere fact of its holding power,
could not hope to exist beyond the next
election. All tho causes which affect public
opinion and turn votes would cooperate to
sweep the republican leaders into disgrace
ful retirement. Their President would find
himself, from the day he entered the White
House, an object of suspicion and dislike to
,apo avl IN object Of cortocr