The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-05-03
THE APPROACHING CONFLICT,


Now that PACKARD, with a claim
to be Governor of Louisiana stronger
by long odds than that upon which
Hayes was countedin by the Return
ing Board, has been thrust aside after
the manner of Chamberlain in South
Carolina, shallow observers may sup
pose the controversy is ended and
that all opposition to the Admins
tration on the Republican side will
speedily subside. The truth is ex-
actly the opposite of this opinion.
The settlement in Louisiana, and the
mode o freaching it. will form the
ground of attack. Instead of weak
ening the position taken by Mr.. Blaine
and the large class that he repre-
sents, it has strengthened it mater
tally; and no inventive genius is
needed to find the way for organic
ing a hostile movement.
Resolutions of inquiry have al
ready been prepared, which will lay
the foundation for charges and a bit
ter debate on the Louisiana question.
1t is openly alleged that the affection
in Packard's Legislature was brought
about partially by the personal per
suasion of the Commissioners; and
when that failed, by menaces which
were more effective. 1t will be inter
esting to know what form this moral
suasion took, and if it was backed
by promises of office or of more sub,
stantial compensation. Ofcourset the
instructions to the Commission and
all the accompanying papers will be
called for, and if MI. Blaine, Mr.
Morton, Mr.. Edmunds, or any Other
Senator, is disposed to face the fight,
it may begin on the call, without
waiting for q reply. The letters Of
Mr.. Evarts and Mr.. Matthews, which
were not authenticated at all, anG
had no official character or form
were found sufficient for the first as
sault on Hayes. In the present
case, the Commissioners were ap
pointed by Hayes for a specific pur
pose, and though their instructions
as prepared by Mr.. Evarts, we're di
vested of the usual formality, he ex
pressly says they were directed BY
the President"
In the correspondence by mail anC
by telegraph, the Commissioner.
have doubtless taken care to omi
negotiations with those members o
the Legislature who first deserted
Packard, and thus led the way TO
the stampede which soon after fol
lowed. But it will be easy to pu
them on the stand by widening tn
investigation, and to bring Packart
in person to confront them. TIL
Republican leaders who have I'm
dertaken this task are skilled il
parliamentary warfare, and are no
likely to plant their batteries GU
of range. Besides there are othe
methods of initiating a campaig
like that ahead of US. But the sim
pie and direct plan suggested afford
the best means of reaching the put
/ lie mind, because the resolution
themselves will be the bugle ca
, to arms, and the answers, whateve
they may be, cannot be shaped i
such a way as to weaken their e.
: feet.
: Any attack on the Administrf
!. ton, NO matter who may lead it, c
what may be the motive, will find
sympathetic response in the heart
of the great body of Sturdy and worl
e ing Republicans. They point I
I the Cabinet as a proof of Hayes
, treachery at the start; to his SO cal
. ed Southern policy, Is confrmatio
I OF the charge; and to the civil SER
ice sham, by which the patronag
of the Government is to be perpetr
S ated in the hands of ofice-holders II
toriously corrupt and convicted
all manner Of jobbery, as an insu
{ to the name of reform, and a ba,
g desertion of the men who have born
n the brunt of every campaign sin
the party was organized. 1t is L
likely TO be a sham War.-N. Y. Su