The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-10-13
Alexander 4. Stephens Opinion on the
Electoral Commission.

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In a recently Published interview with AL
exander II. Stephens, the following was given
as an expression Of his sentiments; There
isn't much comfort for the forlorn few who
are still clinging to the fraud cry. think
Mr. Hayes's tenure IS hrmer than that Of any
President ever inangurated in the United
States. He holds his Office by the highest
Judicial authority in the land. Even if
thought their decision wrong, WHICH do not,
should bow to it as | would to any decree
from the bench. A discussion having arisen
among number Of Brooklyn lawyers as to
the truth ofthis report, ex-Judge John Lynch,
at their request, wrote 10 Mr. Stephens for
an afirmance or denial oft. His answer was
as follows;
MssHs JaAR Lynch and otssA
DKAR SIRs Your note % yesterday just received.
What said was in substance Is follows;-I think
President ever inauguratcd IN the United States.
The Others al held b piuaa Jacie eases The matter
Of his tenure IS res ddad.enia He holds his ofee BY
the Judgment Of the highest judicial tribunal ever
created IN this country Thai tribunal, / think was
constutionally created; and though thought their
decision wrong yeti bow 70 is authority. and think
all good law-abiding citizens should, IS TO every
other judicial decree eonstitutionaliy rendered
Considerations OF fraud or ''usurpaton therefore,
In connection with his title are now utterly out OF
ALExANpER h STEPHESS
East Sixty. Fourth s., New York City Oct S ISL.
More importance seems to be attached
to the uttcranees of Mr.. Stephens than
properly belongs to them. His mind evil
IDENTIFY sympathiaes with his physiealfailty.
BE belittles the great question of popular
sOyereignty,-the right of the people to
choose their President by ballot,-by the
application to it Of the circumseribed rules
or preeedents of courts. Mr.. Hayes ten
ure is 'rss adjudieata, he says. That is,
having been decided, it is just. Mr. Ste
phens further says" He holds his office by
the Judgment of the highest judicial tribu-
nal ever created in this country" No
decision, Of any kind, by any tribunal, can
make that just which in its very nature
and essence was unjust and fraudulent.
The Electoral Commission, "high' as it
may have been, could no. purge the Presi-
dental question of its fraudulent results
in Louisiana and Florida. unless those re-
suits had been reversed, in accordance
with the popular expression at the polls.
Fhe right Of tie Higjority to gopera, which
IS the chief corner stone Of cur political
sapers;raeture, was not respected by that
tribunal. This essential provision Of the
constitution of a republican people was
trOdden under foot by it, which, Of itself,
was creation unknown to and unreeos,
nired BY the constitution. It IS folly in
Mr.. Stephens or any one else to aiseup;
to elothe the act of the Electoral COmmis-
sion with the sanetity Of justice, when that
quality catered not into its decision. For
the peace and quiet Of the country it may
not be expedient to attempt to disturb OF
reverse that decision, and no one contem-
plates it, that We know Of; but, one thing
Is certain, that nothing could have been
more unjust, or more 10 contempt of the
organic law which makes the majority su
/ preme. Aud when Mr. Stephens affirm,
that tenure so derived is less assailablt
than that Of any President ever inaugural
ed in the United States, he is simply guilty
Of an sbsurdity which may be attributed
to his physical condition, or to the out
cropping of the error of his early politica
bias. All the other Presidents derived
their tenure from the people, the source
of all power, in Che mode prescribed BY
the constitution, but Mr.. Hayes derived
his from tribunal unknown to the con
stitution, and therefore it is not true tina
the tenure of Mr.. Hayes is less assailabl
than that of any other President Thi
letter of Mr.. Stephens is neither more no
less than specimen Of a lawyers quib
bling, and as such it does him no credit.