The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-11-15
G'he forest StpabIitan.
WEDNEspAY MORNING. NOE. Is, ls7t.
THE SITUATION.

political persuasions, and we have also
patiently conned the columns of the
so,called independent press" and up
to this time we are unable to form an
opinion as to who is to be our next
President. If we take the word ofthe
Democratic Press, Mr. Tilden, is elect
ed. Ifthe Republican Press is believed
Hayes is the man. We clip the fol-
lowing in regald to the question from
one of the ablest Republican papers in
the State, the Pittsburgh Gazette
We recognize the fact that the most
intense anxiety is felt relative to the
political situation, and we will do our
best to afford such light as the the
news, received up to the present, will
admit. Both political parties lay
claim to three States-Florida, South
Carolina and louisiana. If the Re-
publicaus have 4sii three of these
States they elect their candidates; if
the Democrats have one of them they
are successful. Both are struggling
with the energy Of desperation to con.
troll the count, and on the count made
the result will undoubtedly depend.
The Democracy claim that the ballots
shall be counted just as they come in,
the returns to be accepted as prima
,facie evidence of the election as it oc.
CURED. On the basis of this idea they
hope that the count will be in their
favor. Whether it will or not is, as
yet, an undetermined point. Kellogg
appears very confident that even with
the ballots as they are, Louisiana is
Republican, although he asserts that
when undoubted and provable intimi-
dation and fraud are rectifed by the
Returning Board, our, majority will
be decisive. In South Carolina, the
Democracy are very positive in claim
ing majority Of from 1000 to 1000
-on exactly the same principle as they
claim Louisiana,-that no notice shall
be taken of intimidation and fraud,
and the ballots shall be counted ex-
actly as they are. Rut in that State,
the same charges are made by Repub-
licans, of terrorism and fraud, aud
these are rendered plausible by the
known violence that has prevailed in
that State since July last. In Florida,
the Democracy claim the State by
from $50 to 500 majority, with the
Same conditions attached as in the
other two States mentioned. This is
the situation on that side.
On the other hand, the Republicans
claim Florida by from 1000 to 5000.
OH an honest vote,-or on the vote as
cast, a clear majority. They charge
that Democrats have thrown train
from the track near Tallahassee, and
that they have destroyed or attempted
to destroy, the returns from the strong.
est Republican district in Florida,
and one that has regularly, heretofore,
overbalaHcel the largest majority the
balance of the State ever gave the
Democracy, Of course. the returns
will never be made up without inelud.
ing the vote of Tallahassee. This
done, and we hold unswervingly to
the idea that we have Florida In
South Carolina. these facts are appar-
ent: 1. That wherever there has been
an unintimidated vote, the Republic
cans have gained, as compared with
the vote Of 1874. 2. That the Repub-
licans have, on a fair expression of
popular will, $4,000 majority in South
Carolina. 3, That this large majority
has not been overcome by honest
means, and has not legally been over
come at all. That the colored people,
where not intimidated, remained un-
werviug in their loyalty to the Repab-
icAn party, is susceptible of the clear
st proof And A. That the State is
Consequently Republican, by major
ty of from 5000 to 5000. Louisiana
confidently and calmly claimed for
he Republicans by Governo. Kellogg,
the vete as it stands. Yet he sub
tits specific statements of frauds aud
ltimidations that must be investigat-
as part of the count. For example,
is simply impossible that where
ere was large Republican majority
parishes two years ago, there
ould be no Republican votes now,
latever Those parishes must be
Iown OUT G the count, though With
that ihe ,diaims the State, Thus
proper Republican authorities
lim thethree States mentioned.
The grave feature of tho situation
however, in the fact that we are
.eito face with the question whether
lence, fraud, and murder shall
innate, in the election of the Presi-
It of the United States. This issue
row as clearly defined, in its reia.
10 the States ,mentioued as though
ppliea TO every State in the Union.