The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-04-05
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HON. j. w. THRoCKMoRToN writes a
letter to friend, in which he defends
the course of a majority of the Demo
Gratis who sustained the acts of the
electoral commission. His sentiments
prove him no less q Democrat than
patriot. He says;
In my Judgment, and / believe in
that of every unpreiudiced and fair
minded person, there can be no ques-
ton but that Mr.. TiIden was fairly
elected, and that the high commission
did not discharge Its duty as required
by the letter and spirit of the law, and
as the great occasion demanded. But,
because of such fsi urP, were Democrats
who had voted for the measure to 90
back on their pledges, and especially
were Southern Democrats, with a full
knowledge of evils that might befall
their section, to do 500 What were we
of the South, or the country, or the
Democratic party to gain by refusing
to abide the result of the count?
No one doubted in such contingency
that the Senate would declare Hayes
elected; that Grant would turn over
the government to him; that he
would be in full possession of every
department and have control of the
army and navy. We were told by our
Northern Democratic friends that there
would be no forcible resistance. We
knew that, with one exception, all the
Northern States were controlled by
Republican legislatures. So that had
the House refused to abide the result
of the count, and had proceeded to
elect Mr.. Tilden by States, what chance
was there to sustain himl 1t could
only have beea done by force, and
that force, we were told, would not
come from the North. Take another
view, and suppose the House had re-
fused to abide the count, and had re-
fused to recognize Hayes as President,
with failure to pass the appropriation
bllll 1t is clear that Hayes would have
been compelled to call an extra session
OF Congress, then, the Democracy
not recognizing him, would fail TO
attend, the Republicans would be on
hand, the contested seats would
be given to Radical claimants, other
Democratic seats would be declared
vacant, their places be supplied with
Radicals, and a full Congress, with both
branches supporting Hayes, be organ
lied, and in complete operation and
thus every department aud branch OF
the government would fall under the
control OF our opponents.
In such contingency, who can doubt
that the iron heel of military dcspot-
ism would have been more firmly
placed upon the neck of the already
too long suffering people of South
Carolina The very necessities Of the
situation would force the Radicals to
this course, and collision, bloodshed
and violence $50 much wished for by
the extreme Radicals) would inevita-
bly, have followed in those States; and
then the danger of our young men
from neighboTing States focking TO
the standard of Hampton aud Mich
oils. and thus gradually embroiling the
Southern States.
A failure to abide the result Of the
count would not, in my judgment,
have advanced the prospects OF the
Hltn GN-
erywhere would have shrunk from sus-
tanning us; seeming confirmation
would have been given to the oft re-
peated charge that Southern whites in
Congress were determined to force an
other war; the Northern public heart
would have been firm; moderate Re-
publicans, who have acted and voted
with rs, and still desire to do 90, would
kEye been frightened back 70 their old
associations and the Republican party
would have been solicited and greatly
strengthened in the North.
As the result is, we have strength
ened the chances OF local self-goYern-
ment in the South the party has main
tanned its faith and honor, and no
fraud and no wrong, however foul,
has made it swerve from its high duty
to preserve and protect the best inter
ests Of the country; not . follower has