New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-10-19
by TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRIBUNE. !


1ELEGR,Ms TO BE CONSTRUED GENEROUSLY IL
POSSIBLE.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WAsHINGTON, Oct. 49," It's an able letter but
who is gong to believe it ~ was the answer made
by prominent Northern Republican this evening
in reply to an inquiry about Mr.. Tildcn's letter OF
denial. This remark is eptOme OF the sentiment
everywhere expressed by Republicans to-day even
by many who have hitherto hesitated to believe
Mr.. Tlden guilty Of any personal connection with,
or knowledge OF. the rascalities of his agents IN
Florida and South Carolina.
Have you read Mr.. Tlden's denialp was asked OF
Secretary Sherman this morning by correspondent
of The TRIBUNE.
81 have not read the letter I'm full, but only the
abstract of it published in The star last evening
and in this mornings Republican,"
Does it seem possible that SO many kilograms Of
the character of those published in The TRIBUNE
could have been delivered at his house without Lis
knowledge or approval"
THAT Is a mere matter Of opinion, depending
upon ones estimate of the intelligence and caution
Of Mr.. TIlden.'
Is it reasonable TO suppose that anybody would
assume to make offers Of such large sums Of money
directly from Mr.. Tilden's house without his sane
| ton or knowledge :"
1T would certainly appear improbable that large
sums of money could be offered by immediate
! relatives and known confidential friends
! of Mr. Iildcn without his sanction or
! knowledge, such conduct their part.
unless authorized by him, would be a great abuse OF
| his friendship which no doubt he would resent and
repcl. 1t appears that certain kilograms IN cipher
were sent from and delivered at the house of Mr.
! Tilden; that by the wonderful ingenuity of TIE
TRIBUNE they are translated by keys which
1t would seem to be impossible 10
invent; that the correctness of this translation IL
not mpeached, and that therefore the translation
| seems to be automatically proved TO be correct.
1t will be 50 received by the public unless the true
keys are given"
"Do yOu see any good reason to doubt that Mr..
Tiden knew all about these cipher telegramsp
well, | see one thing that makes ii difficult 10
believe that Mr.. Tilden assented to some of them !;
that is that they inconsistent with his general
conduct and character and his known caution.
know Mr.. TIlden in a general way, land saw HIM
! transact important business, and believed In his
integrity. The downright purchase of votes iudi-
Gated by these kilograms Is entirely inconsistent
with the conception had formed Of his character.
My opinion is that great fOTbeaTance should he eX-
crcised toward the gentlemen accused OF sending
these dispatches and every opportunity given TO
! them to deny OF to excuse them. They should have
the benefit of all the presumption of innocence and
if the kilograms bear two constructions the most in-
| nOccnt should be given to them, That Is not the
| way these same men treated me when falsely
! accused, but il is the honorable and fair way, and
they should have the benefit of il. IT, after such an
examination, il is established that money was Of
fcrcd to purchase for Mr. ilden electoral votes adj
mitted as in south Carolina, TO have been cast for
Governor Hayes, or, as IN Florida and Louisiana, 70
! influence by money the conduct of the Returning
officers in deciding doubtful contest, then there
can be only one opinion among honest men
Waving the question of the guilt or innocence
of particular individuals, what is your opinion Of
the transactions themsclycsP
They were crimes against the elective franchise
not greater than the frauds Of 1865 the repeated
crimes and frauds in the Southern States;
but affecting as they did. the electoral
college, more dangerous in their character.
The most innocent Of these kilograms, Il
true and genuine, IL infinitely worse than the let
ter falsely imputed to me, or any act imputed 70 the
Republicans who went South az the request OF Gem
cr.l Grant. If the same rules OF logo
and construction and innucn9o and unfair
ness were now applied 10 them that were
| applied 10 the Republicans. the resources
| of the English language would be exhausted
| for terms Of dcnuncaton. Even Republican
! papers that were disposed 10 take an lllberal
view of accusations against Republicans. were very
courteous and gcntcmanly and forbearng TO these
written acts OF bribery and corruption ,..
Can the Democratic party escape responsibility
! for Ill" acts of n, lcadcrsN
AS to that can only say that the party itself 10
composed of great masses OF people. who should not
be held responsible tor the conduct OF leading men
! unless they coudone and adopt il. The trouble
! with the Democratic party Is that II has
never punished any crime against the
! elective franchise where ii derived BEN
/ eft from the crime. The greatest Icproach
against that party that II has always encouraged
! fraud from which il derived an advantage. The
Plagucminc frauds III Louisiana, the frauds IN New
York in lists, the frauds in Kansas, the violence
| and crimes in 1876 which led 10 the contest
! in Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina and,
| more recently the Infamous proceedings now gong
| on in South Carolina by which the Republicans Of
| that State are prevented from meeting discussing
| and voting a. they wish are all eases IN point,
| where the Democratic party cOndones crimes
| against the elective franchise, If thcS only get
| the benefit of them. STILL III the end these
| things work against the Democratic parry, and
| will tend very speedily 10 combine all the people
who really desire fair elections and equal rights 10
all citizens without fraud or violence to defeat tho
Democratic party As sure as fate these crimes will
| react against the party which commits them, and
| will bring their own punishment