The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-18
Il the Democratic Party "Shooting
Niagara s''-Ths Republican Address.

Is the Democratic Party "shootimg
Niagara s"-The Republican Address.
No intelligent man of either political
party can longer doubt that this whole
batch Of incendiary attempts-the Blair
memorial, the Kimmel bill, the secret
Florida investigation, the Potter resolu-
tion--have q common paternity and were
instigated by Mr. Tilden. He never did
anything more characteristic of his ''stlli
hunt" methods. This astute and secretive
plotter who mistakes cunning for wisdom,
is no doubt sincere in thinking that he has
been defrauded of an Office to which he was
elected by the people. and he probably justi-
fies to himself the underhand attempts he
is making to shake the stability OF the
government, imperil the public tranquility
and disturb the business of tho country.
But neither his aim nor his methods viii
be Endorsed by the public sentiment OF the
country. That his aim is not approved by
the people Mr.. Tilden himself is perfectly
conscious, for otherwise he would have no
reason for standing behind curtain and
assembling his activity. His methods are
those Of conspirator. although he is far
enough from regarding himself in that
light. But it is Of the very essence Of con-
spiracy to act in concealed concert with
others to accomplish an object which
the originators dare not avow, and
to concoct in close privacy plans
whose future execution by overt acts is
made to await the ripening Of the enter
prise. Under tyrannical and oppressive
governments this is iustifiable and some
times praiseworthy, as is shown by the re-
of the illustrious Italian patriot, Mazzini.
But this kind Of politics is out Of place in
free countries where all great questions are
decided by open appeals to public opinion.
That Mr.. Tilden has been secretly plotting
to get the question OF his claims to the
his patriotism. We have the best
reasons for believing that his nephew
and political factotum, Mr.. Pelton,
went to Baltimore to hold q secret
conference with certain members Of Con-
gress who are the foremost abettors Of the
scheme for impugning Mr.. Hayes title, and
that those m embers conveyed to their asso-
ciates the wishes and instructions of which
Mr.. Pelton was the medium. It produces q
painful impression on the public to see
Mr.. Tilden's kinsman, the most intimate
and trusted of his friends, figuring in
clandestine consultation with Congressman
bent on ripping up the Presidential count
made and declared by the Forty-fourth Con-
gress. That Mr.. Pelton went to Baltimore
to hold that clandestine interview without
the knowledge and completely of Mr.
Tilden is incredible The evidence
being conclusive that Mr.. Tilden
is at the bottom of this move
ment, he ought to have the moral courage
and political frankness to stand forth and
avow his responsibility. He should scorn
to act part which he is ashamed to own.
We have the kindest sentiments toward Mr..
Tilden personally; we are disposed to
make allowance for the deep sense Of wrong
he thinks he was elected; but his own con-
science and feeling of manhood must
rebuke him in attempting to disturb what
has been settled. Why does he put on
masks and skulk behind DISCUSSES if he is
not conscious to himself that his conduct
will not bear public scrutiny? At any rate,
he must not expect that this discussion is to
proceed without reference to him when it
has been ascertained that he is the secret
instigator Of the whole movement
All the parts of this movement having a
common origin they must be interpreted in
the light which they mutually reflect upon
each other. The Blair memorial is the
chief feature to which the others are SUBJ
sidiary. 1t is the avowed purpose Of that
memorial to reopen the Presidential ques-
ton with view to depose Mr.. Hayes. The
proposed investigation is publicly linked
with that memorial in the Potter resolution,
and it is fair inference that the aim Of
the resolution is to get up evidence to
carry out the object of the memorial. If
the purpose be different Mr.. Potter and
his associates should tell the country pre-
cisely what it is. What use is to be made
OF the evidence when it shall have been coll
lected? II it is merely to supply campaign
ntCratuTG the GltCilOuS ~ WIS RIDICULOUS
to claim that the resolution presented a
question OF high privilege. II it aims at
the impeachment OF Secretary Sherman or
Minister Noyes that purpose should have
been avowed. If it does not aim at the
object pointed at by the Blair memorial
it is impossible to explain why the me-
mortal is rccited in the preamble as
resolution. In spite Of polite disayowals
intended to ward off suspicion the concu-
sion is irresistible tina. the purpose of this
movement is TO overthrow Mr.. Hayes title
and depose him from office. Had not this
been its object it would have steered quite
clear of the Blair memorial. instead of