Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-22
Testing the Title.

sSitated over a proposed sltemp. TO IN
seat President Hayes. Hon. W. L.
Chandler. Member OF Congress from
New Hampshire, snd Secretary OF the
late National Republican Committee, has
laid the basis tor this attempt in lengthy
letter to his constituents. de undertakes
70 prove, by extracts from correspond
ents, and special kilograms, that e trade
WAS made between Mr.. Hayes. his friends.
and 8 party OF prominent Southern Demo
Gratis, by which Mr.. Hayes was 10 De de-
clsred President. II is said that certain
uneasy spirits propose to ask for Con-
gressioual il quiry concerning the charge
made By Mr.. Chandler. Il is hoped by
this means to unsarth some Illegal action
which will lead 70 the removal OF Ar.
Hayes.
That the Hayes administration has
made many and serious mistakes IS
patent alike 10 psrtizsn and statesman;
but that these mistakes have been sGth-
GENTLY injurious to warrant an imPSacA-
ment, few Will claim. No person who
has the real welfare OF bis country 81 hssrt
will for q moment countsrRncs this ~
tempt. Less than year ago We had a.
exhibition of what Is likely 20 taLs place
in case this course should b. pursued.-
Two rival parties, embracing the whoiS
nation, stood facing each othsf. ready to
draw the sword for the nsi7tensncs Of
their views of right. Esch party tell
confident that its csESidate hsd been
legally elected President. snd neither
was willing 10 yield TO - clsims Of lis
opponent. We were threatened with :
civil war more sanguir'-- lhsr shy ever
witnessed on tbs bloody ssorss - France.
AL nations looked toward Us with emo
tons OF hope or fear, each expecting
that the dissolution OF the Republic was
st hand. But our Peopls loved country
more than party or party candidates.
The calamity which threatened Us WAS
Averted by arbitration. Il wac agreed
on al sides to submit TIE QUESTION in dis
pute 10 q Commission OF honorable,
high-minded gentlemen. s,5 10 abide by
its decision. Certainly this decision
could be satisfactory 70 but one party /;
but it would be more disgrsceiul, ~ this
late day, for thoss defeated, aided Oy
maleonien,s from he ranks Of their vic
torious opponents. 10 ins;ituts proceed
iugs which would bring the Commits ion
into disrepute, and unsstiis political
affairs, than il would have been, when
heated by the contest, TO decline srbit-s-
ton. Republicans hsvs no more right TO
question this decision than have Demo
Gratis.
Mr.. Chambers attempt. II it were
BASED on facts. instead Of newspaper re-
ports, should receive no encouragement
from any quarter. We do no. vish to
think. ourselves, nor DO We wish foreign
nations 10 believe. that our Chief Magis-
trste can secure his position by fraud.
Nor is this the case. Mr.. Hayes has =
perfect title. Tue Commission gave il
10 him. II there had been no valid cleo
ton, and all parties hsd agreed to this
mode OF arbitration. it would be better
10 abide by the result. than 20 unsettle
affairs, snd heat The country by another
presidential contest. Peaceful elections,
and a cheerful acquiescence in their re-
suits, can alone save Us from anarchy.
Every man who seeks. by any means. or
for any purpose, TO disturb this state Of
peace. is "a traitor TO his God. his coun-
try, and his party"
Whatever may have been Mr.. Char
dler's motives, The effect of his letter
must be most pernicious. if it leads to
Any doubts regarding Mr. Hayss's right
to The position which ne occupies. Even
though 20 outbreak should be The result,
it would lead 10 81 insidious feeling OF
dis,rust. which, ii allowed 10 grow,
would eventually destroy al confidence
in our institutions. The mistakes which
Mr. Hay es has made or is likely 70 make,
can have DO more distressing result than
10 overtbrow The Republican party. A
thousand times better this. than 20 take
one step which mus; eventuale in he
destruction Of our government.
We have no doubt that Mr.. Hayes is
acting conscienIiously tha; ais mistakes
have been errors in Judgment. and that
be bas 10 Intention oi iniuring rs party.
Ii our party leaders canno. bring bis
views into harmony with their own. they
must let him alone, and wait iyr time to
prove The correctness Of their position
The patty is irretrievsbly los., if it sane
iiors Any action which can rDffls The 20
li,ical ca m which now prevails.
The movement for the reduction of