The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-02-23

lhe actlon oil the kepuOl;can IN cmDefS OF
the Electoral Commission in deciding that
Hayes was entitled to the votes of Florida,
after having first refused TO hear the facts
was a surprise to fair-minded men of both
parties; but the majority claimed for the
Democrats was so small that n reasonable
doubt might exist MS to the true result, and
the decision was acquesccd in. The people
of the country, however, were scarcely pre-
pared for the arbitrary, Illegal and unjust
decision of the Commission that it possessed
no power to examine the notorious frauds
in Louisiana, upon which the claims of .he
Hayes electors were based. None hut the
most blinded and ignorant Republican par
tisans doubted the choice of the Tden cleo
tors in that State on the 7th of last Novem-
Der, but even if the result had been clouded
with doubt, the refusal of; the Commission to
investigate the NATTER is enough TO convince
any one that the Republicans feared an eX-
animation would show the partisan nature
of their decision too clearly before the whole
world.
The outrage they have committed is not
simply against M +. Tilden, who was fairly
and legally elected, but against the honest
sentiment of three-fourths of the people
of the United States, who urged Congress TO
adopt the electoral bill, in order that COM
mission of men who, it was supposed, could
rise superior TO party, might fairly invest'
gate the matters in dispute and ascertain
who was truly elected President TO this
end, Congress conferred upon the Commits
sion all the power to investigate the elections
in the disputed States which it possessed it.
SELF and this Interpretation of the act was aC-
copied by Democrats and Republicans alike,
Instead Of making any inquiry, the Re-
publcans, having numerical majority of
one, steadily and rersistently refused to do
what the people of the country wanted them
10 do, and by a party vote gave the State of
Louisiana to Hayes. They have thereby en-
dorsed the frauds and vilainy of Wells and
his guilty associates of the Louisiana return
ing board, and set the seal of their approval
upon all the illegal and unconstitutional
methods by which the voice of TIE people of
Louisiana has been stfled.
In view of the extraordinary course of the
Commission it may well be asked what they
were appointed to do Surely not to decide
that they had no power to go behind the re-
turns, and simply to count the votes which
had the appearance of being genuine. There
was no question rs to which set of votes
from Louisiana were accompanied by the
&c Il, fa,Ja 10 h,,f 1,o
country demanded that the Commission
should test the validity Of the different sets
of votes presented TO them, and separate the
true from the false, by other means than out.
ward signs.
The Commission has grcvously disap-
pointed the country. Not only the Demo
Gratis, who, believing firmly in the election of
Tilden trusted to the honor ofthe Republican
members of the Commission TO examine his
claims; but it has also disappointed honest
Republicans, who, while they might almost
have persuaded themselves that Hayes was
entitled to The place, yet desired him to take
it with an unclouded title, the justice Of
which might bc known and read of all
men AS it is, the decision fails to estab.
lish Il clear title for Hayes, and only demon.
strates the numerical superiority of eight
votes to seven.
1t is victory for the baser elements of the
Republican party, and those Of its members
with reputation to llsc, who sanctioned
and aided in the fraud, have imprinted stains
up0m their characters which time will not
efiace They will receive their punishment
in their own party, by the preference which
will he shown 20 those who have been direct
~ instrumental in carrying through the 81
gantic fraud.
The Democratic party will emerge from the
contest brighter, purer;nd stronger than ever
before. Its members have shown that they
g attended for principle and for the good of
the country and although smartinG under
the most slupcndous wrong ever inflicted by
Que political party upon another, for the
sake ofprncc and the welfare of the country,
they have resolved to submit to The injustice.
Their fight against fraud and corruption
is no, enCed, but they will continue to wage
I'M unreasing Confl'c against the men who
have violated Their oalhs, their honor and
thc Con stiiutlrn o! our country.