Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-03-08

A Brief n!st0ry OF the Presidential
Election.

ErlCNttNhs
For the last sixteen years the Re-
publican party had contrcl cf the
United States Government, and un-
til within u few years, of a majority
OF the several state governments
Eight years ago Gen. Grant was
elected President by large majority
OF popular votes and electors. The
country hoped for great things from
the great military chieftain, bat un-
fortunately were sadly disappointed
in their expectations. From the
very 1rst did Grant give painful
proofs of incapacity aud bungling.
His appointments were generally un-
fortunate. and had tenden " to es-
TRANCE the best Statesmen in the
Republican party from his sdminis-
trstion. But it was during his Sc
cond term that he developed his
true nature more fully. He showed
his partisauship, stubbornness and
utter seltisaness in the most glaring
light. For four long years did Of
ecial corruption, venaiity and an
utter disregard for the wishes and
interests OF the people, reign su-
p-emc in our nation capital. A
fearful financial crisis WAS inevitable
and came--of longer duration, more
widespread, more disastrous in its
results than any that had proceeded
it. In its woe:ul train thousands
were brought to utter rain-rieh
and poor alike until the country
was brought to a-conditiou the like
OF which WAS not ssen since the Dec
laration OF Independence was first
read, one hundred years ago. There
never was time ia the history Of
this fair land when every department
of industry Was so utterly paralized
-eyery2egitimate enterprise so com
pletely PROSTATE. To-day more men
are out of euiplcy-more people suf-
feriug for the most common necessa-
ries Of life-in truth it is harder for
honest industry to make = decent
living than at any former period of
orr history. Acd all this while our
rulers-ehosen TO further cur inter
ests-revel in luxury and wealth,
In corruption and crime OF every
kind.
Wearily the years Of suffer ing and
endurance rolled on, and the emu of
Grants administration approached.
The two great parties brought for:h
their. candidates. The aspirants in
the Republican party, quarreling
over the rich prize, were obliged to
compromise on Gov. Hayes, OF Ohio,
an aniable. inofrensiye gentleman,
with no positive record as a states
man whatever. The Democrats,
having learned wisdom by sad ex-
perience. wisely discarded the old
party ruts of the past, and nominal
ed Gov. Tilden, a statesman OF un-
doubted ability,-fufly identified
with the wants and duties OF the
present. The issue was clearly de-
fined. Reform was the battle. cry
On the one side-notas an idle catch
vate phrase, but as a living reality.
intensified BY candidate who was
thevery embodiment Of the principle.
The people, the teeming millions,
the bone and sinew Of the country,
were enthusiastic for Tilden's cleo
ton. On the side Of HAYES was ar
rayed the Administration Of Grant,
the National Treasury, Federal bay
onets, and an army of Office holders,
expectants and camp followers. The
campaign was the most hotly con-
tested for years, but right prevailed
and Tllden wastriumphantiy elected,
receiving a popular majority of 257,.
240 votes, and maj ority of 23 cleo
tors But the Republican leaders.
principally Grant, Chandler and the
Camerons, drunken with Office and
power, formed conspiracy to defeat
this emphatic voice OF the people.
Their fat went forth that Florida
and Louisiana must be wrested from
Tjldan. In the Return Boards Of
both states they found their willing
tools. By q system of fraud the
most open and unblushing, both
states we're forced into the HAYES
count by set Of Williams compared
to whom the Eve Point thieves OF
Eew York are saints, and the result
WAS made to say 1S5 for Hayes and
iS4 for Tilden.
The country was shocked. Dan
ger was fast brewing. Troops were
hurried from distant points to Wash
ington, to be used by the conspira-
tors to give practical effect to the
gigantic fraud, The threatening
cloud of Revolution began TO gather
and hang like q pail over the coun-
try. The shattered business inter-
ests OF the country became alarmed.