Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-06-20
Uncle SANS Opinion.

The following is the New iorl
Suns report of Samuel J. Tilden'
remarks ut the Manhattan Clul
reception which was given Ia homo
Of Thomas q. Hendricks.
Everybody knows that, after th,
the recent election, the men VIII,
were elected by the people as Pres
ident and Vice-President of the
United States were counted out,
and men who were not elected
were counted in" and seated. ]
disclaim any thought Of the per-
sonal wrong done to myself in this
transaction Not Ivy any act Of OF
word of mine shall that he dwarfed
or degraded into u personal griev-
ance, which Is, in truth, the greatest
wrong that has ever stained our
national annals. Not one OF the
four millions and quarter Of Amer
lean citizens who gave us their
votes but experienced a wrong as
great and rs deep as l. Not one
Of that minority who did not give
us their votes, but, in the resulting
consequences Of this act, will share
in the mischiefs, il II isnot redress
ed and punished, To every man
of the four and quarter millions
who were defrauded Of the fruits
Of their elective franchise il /, as
great wrong as it is to me, Aud
no less to every man of the minority
will ultimate consequences extend.
Evils in government grow by
success and by impunity. They
do not restrain themselves volun-
tarily, They can never be limited
except by external forces.
IL the men in possession Of the
Government can, in one instance,
maintain themselves in power
against an adverse decision at the
elections, such an example will be
initiated. Temptation exists al
ways. Devices to give the color
Of law, and false pretences on which
to found fraudulent decisions.
will not be wanting. The wrong
will grow into q practice, il con-
doned--if once condoned.
In other countries. in the Old
World. changes In the succession
Of Governments have usually been
the result Of fraud or force. We
fehcitated ourselves that here,
through the skill and patriotism
and philanthropy Of our forefsthers.
we bad established q system If
peaceful change through the agency
II the ballot box. This is the first |
time in American history that this |
right Of the people has been inn |
paired. IL Is the first time In |
American history that anybody has
ever pretended that the Govern |
nent Of this great country was
hauled over 70 any set Of men
through fraud.
The question now Is whether our
elective system, in its substance as
vel rs its form. is 20 be maintained.
This is the question Of questions
Cutil it is finally settled there can
pc no politics founded in inferior
questions Of administrative policy.
e Involves the fundamental right
Il the people. Ii involves the
elective principle. Ii involves the
shole system Of popular govern
nent.
The people must siguSlly con-
Tenn the great wrong which has
'een done TO them. They must
trip the example Of everything
bat can attract imitstorsA They
must refuse . prosperous immuni-
v 20 crime.
This is not all TIE people viii
o, be able 10 trust the authors or
enetciaries Of the wrong % de-
Use remedies. But when those
tho condemn the wrong shall have
he power, they must devices the
,eAsure which shall render Q re-
etitioo Of the wrong forever inn
II my voice could reach through
at our country and be heard in {
5 remotest hamlet. I would saw
Do Of good cheer. The republic :
al live The institutions Of our
'ihers are noe to expire in shame.
he sovereignty Of the people shall
rescued from this peril and re- 7
Successful wrong never appesrs
triumphant IS on the very eve
rs fall Seven wears ago q cor
lps dynasty e1lminstsd In Its I
over over the million Of people \
no hive in the city Of New York. 4
bad conquered or bribed. OF :
sttersd aud son almost every
,dy into sequiesceBce. II ap- .
Jared % be insiDciolc. A wear or
10 later is members vere In he .
'nitsntiAries or IN exile. History A
'oonds in similar examples. We :
ust believe in the right and IN .
9 future. A grs&. and noble ma q
20 WI not sever Is political g
ON Us morzf 10. 49, a