, 1878-02-16
ruE yRArprLExr COMPROMISE.

fuE RBAl Dl LENI SOMrkVAsSh.
1t almost invariably happens that, when
compromise is proposed between two COM
petitors or contestants, the proposition comes
from the side which has felt its way and be-
come convinced that its only hope is IN the
compromise it proposes The man who has
his pistol still in his pocket is very eager
always to arrange q compromise with his
foeman who has his six-shOOter ready In his
hand. And if the latter, In that situation,
consents to surrender the great advantage
he has, and becomes a party to compro-
mise which shall transfer the advantage to
the proposer, he must not wonde--however
much he may complain or protest-if he tnds
himself suddenly PROSTATE and helpless under
the fire of his crafty adversary. The most
conspicuous instance III the worlds history,
wherein craft, at disadvantage, managed to
obtain the mastery over the honest compel.
itor who had won, yet not possessed himself
of the prize, is that which Is presented IN
the case of Hayes and Tilden. 1t was the
most unfortunate compromise, Tor the demo-
cracy. that ever occurred In the history OF
the republic.
Murder will out, and at last the bottom
facts of the infamy Of the compromise OF the
presidential election, known as the electoral
commission, are being revealed. The reve-
lations come from the radical side, and how
ever much we may despise the betrayers, 1t
is impossible to read their confessions with
out concluding that they are IN the main
telling only that which Is tue. Chandler. OF
New Hampshire, has turned state s evidence
He was personally employed in the iniquity
of counting in Florida for Hayes, and relates
lust how he managed it, and admits the
perjury, the bribery, and the other Infamous
means by which the atrocious fraud was
perpetrated. He is less reliable witness as
to the similar great frauds committed IN
Louisiana, and in relation to the disgraceful
and criminal bargain which was subsequently
made in Hayes interest between Stanley
Matthews and Foster, Of Ohio, on the part
of HAYES, and certain Southern politicians.
But he tells enough that is true, of his own
knowledge, to prove upon Hayes the fact
that the later did scheme and bargain to
have himself counted in, while he was very
well aware that Tilden had been honestly
elected.
But the proof of the iniquitous proceeding
does not rest with Chandler alone. General
Boynton, of Ohio, another radical, and one
| of the ablest of his party, corroborates Chan
| dler on material points, and challenges any
| to gainsay or contradict what he asserts as
| to the bargain between the agents of Hayes
and Southern men. He reveals something
else, moreover, which Is, in some respects,
| even more important. Gen. Boynt0n declares
| that there were nine radical senators who
| positively refused to vote to sustain the pre-
sumption that Hayes was elected president,
| In the event of the submission OF the ques-
ton to the senate and the house, agreeably
to the requirements Of the constitution. The
| result of the constitutional count would
have been, accordingly, thaaleclaration that
| Tilden and Hendricks were duly elected
| president and vice-president of the United
| States. These nine senators-all radicals
informed President Grant of their determi-
nation. The sequel is known. 1t is before
us. 1t was the second chapter of the stu
pendous fraud - the compromise which
brought forth the electoral commission, and
caused the perjury of the supreme court
justices who voted to give the Office to
Hayes in wanton disregard and wIlful viola
ton of their solemn oaths to determine the
ease justly.
| 1t will be remembered that Edmunds OF
Vermont, proposed the trick of the electoral
commission, as a compromise. BY the light
now thrown upon the whole affair it is
known that Edmunds proposed the CON-
promise after he had learned that nine of his
radical brethren in the senate would so vote
as to give the election to Tilden. His com-
promise was, therefore, on the pattern OF
';;Leads, l win; tails, you lose" And yet
the democrats in congress, with sure thing
in their hands, against precedent, against
principle, and with everything to lose and
nothing to gain, allowed themselves to be
inveigled by the crafty and unserupulous
Nermonter, who never observed trust or
was faithful to pledge, and walked directly
like So many blind mice and willing victims,
into the cunningly- -baited trap. As matter
of course, had the radicals not known that
the compromise was their only hope or
chance for Hayes, they would not have
agreed to it. They were not mistaken in
their reckoning. Byit. and it alone Hayes
was enabled to win. The contemplation Of
the scheme is far from agreeable to us as
democrats. 1t Is too exasperating, too NOR
tifying, to composedly think upon or write
about. Yet it may serve as a mOurnful
precedent and an awful warning for the
although tits hardly possible another
such case can ever occur. 1t is some COM
fort, nevertheless, to have the truth reveal
ed, at last. And that it is extorted from
the enrased rogues Of the Chandler stamp and
from the honest partisans of the BoyntOn
order-radicals all, as they are-makes it
not the less convincing The guilty Hayes
must constantly suffer the stIngs of an accus-
| ing conscience.