The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-09
THE PREsIDENTIAL COMPLICATION.
MIR. Tiidcn Really Elected - HAYES ans
Wheeler had Better Withdraw.

test. Dignity and discretion are both con suited,
probably, In ordinary cases by this system, in
consistent as |; 10 with the usual outspoken
roughDess of American public life. Hut in q
crisis SO extraordinary as thai now dividing
opinion and exciting passions IN the United
States strong and sagacous statesman would
know when to break a rue that was bind Ing
| him injurously. Mr. Tlden showed that he had
Independence OF spirit enough for such a defiance
| OF precedeuts When, few weeks ago, he pub
| lshed bis protest against the intention imputed
| to him OF sanctloninr the Southern claims 4"
| upon the national exchcqUer, and pointed out
that he was bound bv the constitutional amend
nents to reject any pretensions OF the kind. an
OoigatiVn which he accepted In It's full extent.
| There can be no doubt that MIR. lidens oppor-
Democratic party, and that IT repressed an In
cipient panic among the Eastern Democrats. II
| or II, perhaps, he had been his own master. he
would have been able TO strike an equally ef-
cepting the Cincinnati nomination went far TO
satisfy the Reformers, and had the battle been
fought fairy upon the Issues raised In that
manifesto, 1t Is probable that there would
have been no question OF the II publican vic
tory. aud no syppathy with the defeat OF the
Democrats. but Mr.. Hayos's letter and lie
pledges were too soon concealed In the dust OF a
campalan wbicn was conducted by the we'll
the "S-nitorial Ring" the hitter and scornful
enemies Of civil service reform. MIR. Chandler
nd Mr.. Blaine, MIR. Morton and Mr.. Boutwell,,
Gen. Butler and the parry newspapers, pushed
the moderate and sensible promises of Mr. Hayes
out OF the way; and began to fight the battle with
heard Of but southern. ouirages. Southern
claims, Democratic disloyaty, and Demo-
| enough that some explanation was needed Of
Mr.. Chambers views OF the civil service uues-
mcut u the South. and Gen. Buffers views
incredible that all these could be in agreement
SI M haS ys' n %" sns
made no sign, and the party managers
had mover. written the Cincinnlti letter. The
result needs no comment: Whether OF not Mr..
II yes oe installed at Washington IN March
next, the Republicans, as a party, are beaten and
pro , me 20. uar mai ritv against them IN
doubled or trebed were the contest to be re-
newed at once, and Republican Bdmnistra-
ton placed 70 power through such methods rs
those described by our American correspond
ent In his account OF the Florida and Louis
lana Returning Boards would assuredly ind
ocratic majority In Congress greater even. and
returned at tue fail elections OF 1874.
the most hieh-minded members Of the Re-
luuhcan party would now, we imagine, be will
ing to COMES that Mr.. Hayes's silence during
the contest, ana bis apparent acquiesce In the
poiicN of MIR. Chandler ana his allies, were most
disasirons But, though rreparaolc mischief
mas been done. there are further possibilities IL
mischief that may still TO ayerted. Mr.. Hayes
can even now speak with effect, and II It is be-
No "a MS power to save his party from present
political ruin, he may, At any rute, rescue his
couniiy tom The perls Of constitutionai
deadlock OF n rivalry If Goyrrumenfs IL IA
with disappointment that We perceive the COM
mrnalIce eli rIcter of his reply TO "seren de"
given m ms h0noria last week at ID won. i'm ONO
Gen. Grant himself could nor have enumerated
sentiments more respectable or more useless.
Let u give To the world" says Mr. hayes,
- an example OF the value OF republican gov
crlmcnt. Inc world desires nothing more
ardenty. put republican virtue must not spend
Itself ~ idlo words. The welfare Of the re
PA lie ought to command hOth PEI sonal aud
2 rtY sacrifices. and we had some hope that Mr.
II yes, being OF a different stamp from the &C.
llclln. no unfortunately cOnductej his cam
Nnisn' would rise 10 me neisnt Of ne occasion;
the isnruage IN witch we lately referred to the
the law-auiding ana orderly demeanor OF the
American pepple under tue pressure Of "A painful
iri AZ aha ne evidently Thought that he was con-
nrhinS VII I e nai stated wnen he said To his
friehds. You and VIII submit TO the d.-
nltnt 81 the Lawful author les, whatever II may
be; ANA believe tnc maj irity vi our opponents
VIII do tie same" iiut ta, - not tue sort If IS
surance winch u needed TO trauuulliiz re the pub
lie MIND In the uni.ee States. The Republicans
MAJ very safey declare that they VIII submit
to the decisions Of the "iawfl author.
iue-;' for tney contend that the "lw-
iul authorities are the Southern Return
neuniican W ,nHat nave rlor run'eu IN TIE
and south Carolina, and the Presdent OF
the seuate. for whom the ultimate right VI de-
TERMINATION II claimed, and who il the creature
OF Republican IN iJoritv. IL Is permissiole TO
p aise the Democrats for m intaining order I'M
demands that we should extend our admiration
10 the party VINO have reversed the apparent
I a
nominal victory for their candidate bee uso
tneN. too, nave Shown themselves llw-abidins,
We "A hardly meet him with becoming con-
ratuihions. Geo Grants troops ana tue ener-
getic Dartisansnip Ut the Returning 80 rds do
not form political machinery, nor do they dis
close political spirit that we can honestly call
admirable.
Mr. haves. II he had chosen, might have IN do
a very different contribution to the history OF
tins conlct ami on. tn I would have done him
lastiug honor. 1t will be remembered, perhaps,
tnit when the uncertainty OF the decislon Was
n. m. hrd "A
ole appeal to the good sense Of the nation, IN
when be affirmed that no man worthy OF being
elected President OF the Uuited states woull
submit to De counted in." Inc friends OF sIr.
HAYES asserted with confidence that he, at least,
would not SO submit, and they boosted that his
success would Ue est ,bshed SO far beyond all
cavll that no faint could rest upon his accept
ance OF power. But what has Ueen the actual
course OF events2 Without the elsctoral votes
OF Louisiana, Florida, aud South Carolina IL ~
admitted that MI. ha,es would not be elected.
Inc necessary votes have been recorded for him,
but tho manner In which they have oeen N
oiei Is notorious. The Democratic MAORI, les
composed Of discredited Republican poiti-
Clans, and these non--for instance. the Iour
members Of the board IN Louisiana whose con
duct was censurcd and whose decisions were re-
versed by Congress couple OF Years ago-are
pracucaliy tue electors VINO have given Mr..
Hayes the majority no claims. II has been
'shed IN the United States whether SIR. Hayes,
an ho.or Die man IN every social relation,
AS the l. pulsani Returning Board tue award
even OF hundred dollars against. the claim OF
possOis for man OF honor to accept from the
same tainted source the supreme executive
power III the republic, or, accepting II, would he
be able To govern the country with dignity or
authority These are questions which Mr..
Hayes must face. His colleague upon the Re
publican ticket, Mr.. heeler, ~ personally COM
mitted to au answer t. the same questions from
wnicn he cannot credltably rece1e; for he wasa
member OF the committee OF Congress winch
eAposod and condemueu the corruptlons OF the
L. Iisnnl Hoard. The withdrawal II Mr.. HAYES
ana air. wheeler from conflict In which
they must perceive int victory would te
uishOnUr Is scarcely perhaps, 10 be hoped
Tor, tut at least II may be SAID that two
puOIc men coming at the same time to IA gen
crOuS auu straightforward resolution have II in
their power TO break through thu cObwebs Of
technifalIties ana trickury. TLeir country, We
are sure. would not fuTgel so noble a service.
Tue Presidential election. whatever the formal
result showed popular majority OF some
$4,000 votes for the Democratic ticket, and tue
"unura~ al oi tie Ropuoiican cand dates would
only give eject to Tue viii OF the people. II
would he Tor the advantage even OF tue Kepub-
mean part Itself, winch Under d new Republican
Administration would irretrieyapIy 70 20 pieces,
out Whicn In opposition may hope sueeuily TO
renew Il, strength. Inc ratification OF HepuO
lcnn poiCi by "A democratic Government would
% no uninporiaut Rgin and II Is certain that
MI illden viii % as little able or willing TO as
tulb the cons ltutlOnai amendments a. the Con-
setvaiiVo Administration Ot tue last three years
was disposed 10 reverse tue legislation VI Mr.
GladstOue's Government.