Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-02
AZ the End Of the Campaign

no means an enviable one. The Commits
sion for deciding this unfortunate dispute
was, in point Of fact, method Of that par
TVS own choosing. Many Republicans of
broad and liberal views opposed the plan
because they believed it had no warrant in
the provisions Of the Constitution, and
large proportion of the Republican masses
accepted it only under compulsion, for the
reason that they believed it an attempt to
compromise q matter in which there was
nothing 10 compromise. But with the De-
mocracy the case was different. With very
few exceptions, both their leaders and the
rank and file eagerly welcomed the meas
ure as giving them their only chance OF Sc
curing a recognition of the claims of their
candidate-and, in the interest of truth it
must also be said that their open threats of
violence and revolution in case their de-
mands were not acceded TO unquestiona-
bly, furnished a very strong argument with
leading Republicans for the adoption of the
compromise. And yet, after Mr.. Tildens
friends, both in Congress, and through
their press, had loudly proclaimed their
satisfaction with the tribunal and their de-
termination to abide by its decision, as
soon as it began to be evident that the final
verdict was 10 be adverse to their claims
we were greeted with violent denuncia-
tions of the Commission, with open efforts
to nullify the results of lis labors, and with
a strong effort on the part of Northern hot
heads in that party TO prevent the compile
ton OF the Electoral count, and TO thus
launch the country into the excitement
and depressing influences of new cleo
ton. Never was a more absurd clsim
raised than is the Democratic charge of
partisan ship and disregard Of law in the
rulings of the Commission, unless, indeed,
we concede that the minority Of that tribu-
nal have been so hampered by their party
traces that they could not look outside for
either fact or justice. The decisions of the
Com mission have been based on that con-
str uction Of the law and the Constitution
which recognizes the absolute right of each
Stale 10 decide all matters pertaining to its
own State Affairs for itself and in accord
ance with its own laws. The vote for Pres
idential electors in any State having been
duly counted aud the election of the cleo
tors having been properly certified TO, in
accordance with the laws of the State the
action is final, and Congress has no power
to 60 behind it. If there is anything wrong
in the law or the method the State must it.
self correct it. This, in brief, is the doc
trine of the Commission, and it is neither
more nor less than an adhesion 10 the State
rights doctrine which forms, or has been
supposed to form, the cornerstone of the
Democratic faith.
The Democratic claim Of Republican bad
faith in refusing TO 90 behind the returns
has no foundation in fact, any more than
has their claim to the election on the score
of the equities of The case. 1t is easy for a
member Of that party 10 declare that he on
ly asks 10 have the votes counted which
were actually cast, but the argument which
this assertion implies will not bear a mo-
menps examination. a legitimate and
systematic attempt has not even been made
to show that forcible revolution was not at
tempted in Louisiana and South Carolina,
and that the most outrageous intimidation
was not prscliced in several other South
ern States. 1t is not even disputed that in
numerous counties Of different States,
where, four years ago, the Republican ma
jority was counted by thousands, in The
last election hardly as many single votes
were cast for the Republican candidates,
while in Mississippi evidence before the
Congressional committees clearly indicates
that the ballot boxes were secretly tamper-
ed with by the Democratic judges of the
election, Republican ballots removed and
rpnlacad "a nAmnnra io ba mud in The
way a round "majority" for Mr.. Tilden
was secured. Does any candid person for
a moment believe that court of equity
would give an election TO a party which
had sought 10 triumph by such means as
these? We should say not. Nor do we
any the more believe that the testimony
for the plaintiff in such a case would be
strengthened by tie cry of fraud and cor
ruption and the exhibition of buster and
bravado which had been the leading fea-
ture in their campaign, to be silenced only
by the discovery and exposure Of such
practices on the part of their candidate in
attempting TO buy the vote of a Republican
State as have never before disgraced po-
Utica campaign in this country.
We do not mention these things in a Bit
ter or revengelul spirit, but only as show
ing the utter Inconsistency and practical
bad faith which has marked the course of
the Democracy throughout this campaign,
and also to express our conviction of Mr..
Hayes's undOubted claim TO the presidency
on the equities of the case as well as through
the indisputable title in which the law
vests him. No Republican should allow
himself to be for a moment disturbed by
any charge that Mr.. Hayes accepts the
Presidency with suspicion of fraud hang
ing about the means by which he is elevat-
ed TO it. On the contrary 1t should be fully
understood that every reasonable SUPPOSE
ton and a candid comparison of figures
and statistics tends to the conclusion that,
with free and Untrammelled vote through
out the Southern STATES, his election would
have been assured, not only by the techni-
cal points of law, but by large majority
of the popular vote of the country. Fort
unatsly for the people present indications
are that the revolutionists of the House
will not succeed in preventing the season.
able declaration OF his election. The OPEN
ing of another week will see him installed
in the Office to which the people have elect
cd him, with his honor and self-respect I'M
impaired, and we have full faith to believe
that his administration will be so WISE so
prudent, so justly conservative and inspir-
cd by so lollya patriotism, that il will unite
the best elements OF both parties, North
and South, in his support. with the result