Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-06-16
Farewell to Hendricks.
Speech BIZ Cor. Talea-TAe Departure Of
Cor Hendricks for Earope-ReRy Of Goo.
Hendricks.

New YORK, June l2-Gov. Tiden made
brief speech at the reception at the Manhattan
club tonight. After abiding to the departure
Of Gov. Hendricks tomorrow with the best
wishes for prosperous voyage and safe re-
turn he said
Everybody knows that after the recent
election the men who were elected by the peo-
pie President aud Nce-president Of thc United
States were counted out, and men who were
not elected were " counted in and seated.
disclaim Any thought Of the personal wrong in
volved IN this transaction. Not by any act or
word Of mine shall that be dwarled or degraded
into personal grievance which is in truth the
greatest wrong that has stained our national
annals. To every man Of the four aud quar-
ter millions who were defrauded Of the fruits
Of their elective franchise il is as great wrong
MS il is 20 me. Aud no less to every man Of
the minority will the ultimate consequences
extend.
Evils in government grow by success and
by impuuity. They do not arrest their own
progress. They can never be limited except
by external forces. If the men in possession
Of the government can in Que instance maintain
themselves in power against an adverse deci-
sion at the election such an example will be
initiated Temptation exiStsalways. Devices
TO give the color Of law, aud false prctenses on
which TO found fraudulent decisions, will not
be wanting. The wrong will grow iuto a
practice if once condoncd.
In tie worlds history changes in the sue
ccssion of governments have usually been the
| result of fraud OF force. Ii has been our faith
aud our pride that we had established mode
of peaceful change TO DC worked out 10y the
agency of the ballot-box. The question now
| is whether an elective system in its substance
as well as its form is to be maintained. This
is the question Of questions. Until it is final
| ly settled there can be no politics founded on
an inferior question of administrative policy.
| IL involves the fundamental right Of the pco-
plo. Ii involves the elective principle. Ii
involves the whole system Of popular govern
mcut.
1.-The people must signaly condemn the
great wrong which has been done TO them
They must strip the example of everything
| that can attract imitatUrs. They must refuse
q prosperous immunity 10 crime. This Is not
all. The people will not be able 10 trust the
authors or bencfciarics of the wrong 20 devise
remedies. But when those who condemn
wrong shall have the power they must devise
n measure which shall render repetition of
the wrong forever impossible. If my voice
could reach throughout our country and be
heard in its rcmotcst hamlets, would say.
" BE Of good cheer. the republic will live. Tho
institutions of our fathers arc not 10 expire in
shame. The sovereignty Of tho people shall
be rescued from this peril and re-establishcd. y
Successful wrong never appears so tTium-
plant Us on the very eve Of its fall. Seven
years ago a corrupt dynasty eliminated in its
power over the million Of people who live in
the city Of New York. Il had conquered or
bribcd or ilatterel aud won almost everybody
into acquieSccnco. II appcarcd to be inviuci-
be a year or two later its members were In
the penitcntiaries or in exile. History abounds
In similar examples. We must believe 10 The
right and 10 tho future. a gro,t and noble
nation will not sOVor Its political from It's moral
| life."