Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-20
rHe RADICAL JUBILEE.

~
These singing rebukes will become
a part Of the record and go to the
people in due time, and cannot
fail to make a lasting impression
on the conservative and thinking
masses of the country. Mr.. Thur
mar cited the main facts in the
case That the statute creating a
returning board required that its
members should be composed Of
members of both political parties,
and that this had been disregarded;
the board was utterly unconstitu-
tional, and even if not, it had ut
terly refused to compile the returns
of the commissioners of election.
"Proof which counsel offered be-
fore the commission should have
been accepted, and in that opinion
he was fortified by the action Of both
houses Of Congress, years ago, In re-
jecting the vote of Georgia. Hethen
referred to the alleged ineligibility
of certain electors in that State, and
said he could not regard that other
than as a notification of the con-
s~titutional provision on that sub
iect. Under this decision, no mat
ter by what fraud a man might be
elected President or Vice President,
or how ineligible an elector might
be, there was no power to inquire
into it. The vote of an ineligible
elector mustbe counted, and neither
State nor congress could right the
wrong. He utterly dissented from
such decision as being destructive
to our republican form Of govern
ment. The decision would have
the effect of a proclamation to dis
honest returning boards to perpe-
trate whatever villainy their inter
ests might dictate, with absolute
certainty that they would be sue
cessful." The Republican sena-
tors, except Morton, did not
attempt to argue the ques-
ton. They merely replied that
the Democrats had voted for the law
creating the commission, and were
bound to abide by its decision,
much the same as a gambler would
talk to one of his dupes. The
Democrats voted for the measure,
believing that the grave difficulty
pending would be settled according
to the law and the facts. 1t was
not known at the time which side
would have the political prepon.
derance, and much as was known
of the Republican party to its dis.
credit, it was hardly expected thai
they would take advantage of an
accidental majority on 50 solemn an
occasion to override the constita
ton and all sense of self-respec'
and decency to gain a political re
ward. We will know them better
hereafter, and learn never to trus
them under any circumstances
They have unmasked themselves t
present a more hideous moral aspecN
than their enemies ever charged o.
described. So lost to all sense o
shame are they as to boast Of tn,
sharp trick by which the Demo
Gratis were led to trust them
The Democrats felt secure in tn.
Justice of their cause, and the Ger
tainty that Tilden was fairly elected
and being moved by a patriotic de
sire to allay the great excitemen
that prevailed and to avert threat
ened troubles, they cheerfully &C
guessed in the plan proposed t
~judicially determine a question
which congress in joint convention
was never likely to decide. From
the moment the Republicans ascer
tanned that they had eight votes il
the commission the leaders CAV.
themselves no further apprehension
Morton foreshadowed the result il
an interview in which he spoke il
the most confident manner. AL
the great speeches in and before tn
commission were made on the Dem
ocrotic side. The Republican coun
sci merely filed up their time 70
appearance sake, but not with th
manner Of men who felt that the.