The Republican journal., 1877-01-18
A Candid Republican, View.

|
1t 5treng Them ones faith that WISE couu-
sells will ultimately prevail upon the Re-
| publican side OF the controversy in regard
to the presidential election when such men
as George William Curtis Of New York
| give the weight Of their influence to coun-
teract the schemes of the leaders of their
own party who have planned to secure
partisan triumph by base and unworthy
means. Among the leaders of opinion iii
the Republican party no man has main
| tanned a foremost place more worthily
than the editor of Harper's Weekly, for he
is man OF broad views and keen percep-
tons, and sincerity and candor are two
| prominent characteristics Of his mind In
his leading editorial of the last week,
which is devoted to Il consideration of the
Louisiana imbroglio he cautions the Re
publicans not to misapprehend the senti-
| ment of the country, for ''the action OF
the returning boards of Louisiana and
Florida have undoubtedly covered the de-
clared vote of those States with suspicion"
In his view, 1.-THE party has not gained
strength since the election, and if the ac-
ton in those States should be followed by
the exercise Of doubtful powers by the
Senate" (although he does not apprehend
any Violence 1.-THE leaders would be re-
sponaible lor the total overthrow Of the
party" While expressing the hope that
the congressional committee may clear up
every doubt, lie declares that ''it will not
be enough to SHOW intimidation, for ii IS
not to be forgotten that selfish Republican
politicians, without any sympathy for the
negro, would not hesitate to turn such op-
preston to their own advantage.' Refer
ring to the statements made in the Repuh-
lican ''brief' laid before The Congres5on-
al Committee in Louisiana, which affirmed
that the vote Of the party was abridged by
conspiracy and violence; by murder, mas.
sacre and assassination. Mr. Curtis calls
attention to the fact that Gin q State with
Republican majority Of voters and vita
Republican administration. there has
been N many sections total anarchy"
''1here is no claim,' he asserts, THAT the
Republican Governor has made vigorous
eXert!GnS to keep order, and the inevitable
conclusion n that the anarchy was found
TO be politically serviceablc" These are
brave and truthful words and we'll define
the motives OF the anarchists, hut Mr. Cur
tiS does not stop here. II" goes ON to dt.
clare that lit was This Very lawlossness
and crime, which it was Governor Rel
logs duty to suppress ut all cost which
is now urged aS Il reason for throwing ont
Just enough Democratic votes to put i'm the
Republican electors" Mr.. Curtis is eyi-
IDENTIFY not Il convert to the Morton doe
trlne, that the President Of the Senate is
TIE conSttutlOnaliy authorized person to
count and declare the electoral vote; and
there is no flaw in his logic, when he in
slsts that the :22d Joint rule was adopted To-
authorize the throwing out the possible
votes of States in rebellion, and that its
principle would cover the case OF Il State
in condition of anarchy like that of Lou
islana, as described in the 'brict' above
referred to. He warns the Republicans
also to remember that the proceedings Of
the Board We're open to question, Tor the
refusal OF the members 20 I'LL Il Democrat
&c vacancy Us the law required, and which
was morally imperative, because it was
plain that the result Of the election might
depend upon their action, and because the
decisions of the Board had been previous
ly criticised and disapproyed by Repub-
llcan congressional committee; and be-
cause, further, after u formal attempt to
elect Il Democrat, the Board abandoned it.
and iii Il strictly secret session, MrelD ont
Just tho NltDlber 0t Dcn0cr,utic r0tcs nccc>-
S0Ty 10 .tcct the ClectioH OF he RepujL-
c03lS. In conclusion Mr.. Curtis remarks
that il there has been any adequate iustit-
cation of these proceedings he has not
seen it. He says that he has read careful
ly the report OF Senator Sherman and his
colleagues recently submitted to Congress
and u large part OF the correspondence
from New Orleans. lie does not doubt
1hit thprp ha bppl1 iDf p,iIu+io,, .,rJ In,,