The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-15
PMOsP EETs.
The Hopes ana Fears of the Republicans
and Democrats.

MHu beWbGFAtss
[H. V. Redfsd in Cincinnati Commercially
WASHINGTON, Feb. at looks to me
more like Hayes now than at any time
since the October election. The signals
point that way, but by the time the In
fatuated Republican drinks In this NOR
sci OF Encouragement, the tide may
turn, bearing aloft the banner of Tilden
and reform, as it were.
Now, the truth is, the Democrats
were disappointed in not getting Davis
for the fifth Judge. AS the question
hangs, all depends upon the fifth spoke
in this judicial wheel. That Is plain
enough from the proceedings Of the
past few days. Bradley holds the bal
ance OF power, and Is really the man
who will choose the President. He Is q
Grant. His leanings" toward tho
Democratic cause has never been SO
marked us tho party independence Of
Davis. Davis has often been canvassed
as proper timber for q Democratic can-
didate for President. Bradley never
was. The two men are very different.
With Davis as fifth Judge, the Demo-
crafts would have little moro than u
fair fighting chance in ~ legal point Of
view. Now they have q little less. The
political basis OF the Commission Is
against them.
1t was great blunder in tho party In
Illinois to elect Davis to the Senate, as
they lost the chance Of having him upon
the Tribunal. In this way have matters
worked around to the discontinue Of
tho Democrats, although they cannot
point tho finger Of blame at anybody
but themselves.
TO those who watch the proceedings
it is plain that Bradley holds the bal
ance Of power, and is really the man
who makes tho decisions when the lines
the Republican side In vital points.
Should he continue 10 do this, the "se-
lection OF Hays Is beyond doubt. The
only question is whether be will do it.
The fear that the Republicans have Is
that Bradley is an intensely legal man
If | may use the term-even more
legal than Republican, and that he will
not hesitate to give the Presidency to
Tilden. The csse Of Oregon has been
cited, and the fear is expressed by Re-
publicans that Bradley would not hest
State IL the majesty Of the law was
upon the side of the Tilden elector
com missioned by Grover. And this Is
now what the Republicans fear most,
and, in fact, about oil they fear. don't
mean the Oregon case in particular, but
Bradley's general habit OF tracking the
technical points Of the law to the very
letter, let follow what will. These per-
sons fear that Bradley Is moro O LAWYER
than Republican, and the Democrats
fear that he Is more Republican than
lawyer.
The Republicans are more pleased
with the Tribunal tonight than they
have been at any time. Even the car
pet. baggers who voted against the plan
because 1t was contrary to the constitu-
tion-a document which half of them
never read now rub their hands with
glee and reflect upon future post Offices
between drinks. They are almost per-
suaded to say that they made O mistake
In voting against the.plan. One of their
excuses is that they thought Judge Da-
Wis, who is supposed to be no better than
d Democrat. was to sit in high judg-
ment upon the concern.
AS the chances increase that Hayes
will be counted In, the Republicans who
opposed the plan because it was out
side the constitution, and for other rea-
sons, are coming to the opinion that il
Is entirely constitutional in every re-
spect. SO much depends, you know,
upon whose bull Is punched in the ribs. |
At the same time the crop Of Il told
you SOS" among the Democrats Is de- |
finely. All those who opposed |
the plan are coming to the front with |
quotations from their speeches in oppo- |
sition, and numerous bits OF profanity |
added thereto by way Of emphasis.