The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-29
RADICAL pRoNUNcrAmENTo.
An Open Letter TO Eugene Hale by Hon.
Daniel r. Miller. Of Iowa.

from the pen of Hon. Daniel F. Miller, the
''Nestor" of the Iowa bar, and one of the
most talented and able citizens of our state.
Mr.. Miller was, in the palmy days of the
wing party, one of its favored sons. After
the dissolution of the WING party he allied
himself with the republican party. and as
sisted it to achieve its first victories over the
democracy. He remained with that party
until corruption began to show itself, when,
true to the ideas of liberty which he had ac-
quired from his association with Webster,
Clay, and other patriots. and from his study
of the character of Jefferson and the fathers
of our political liberties he withdrew from
the radical party and associated himself
with the democracy. In his early political
life honor after honor was conferred upon
him by his fellow citizens--a member of the
Iowa legislature in 1S40; twice elected as
whig to congress, once in 1913, next in
1850; twice a senatorial presidential elector.
once on the republican ticket, in 1856 and
once in 1876 on the democratic ticket; the
nominee of the democracy of Iowa for
United States senator in 1878; and many
other times placed in positions of trust, he
has, through an advantageous observation
and experience extending through half
century OF political life, acquired an insight
1uiO uiSJOIg JDdL mdhtS Dlu
competent-no one more SOTO intelligently
discuss any issue that might arise. OF late
Mr.. Miller has devoted himself exclusively
to his legal practice, which is extensive. and
only takes that general interest in politics
which every good patriotic citizen should do.
To those who know him these words and
explanations are not necessary; but thou
sands will read the letter who would like to
know something about the man who wrote
it, and it is for their benefit we state the few
simple facts above. The letter should be
read by every citizen;
KEOKUK, Iowa, May q, 1878.
To Hon. Eugene Hale, Representative in Con-
gress, u. s.:
DEAR SIR have just read the "pronuncia-
mento" OF yourself and radical associates in
congress, against the action OF the democratic
members of the house of representatives in
voting for an investigation of alleged frauds
in Florida and Louisiana in the presidential
election of 1876. You denounce that proposed
investigation In bitter terms; but are your
denunciations just?
Will you be pleased to permit an old political
follower OF Henry Clay, and who shared his
personal acquaintance and friendship to some
extent a short period before his death, to
briefly criticiSe some, II not ALL of your charges
against the democratic members of tie house
You say the investigation if pursued, will
paralyZe business; will cast a gloom over
every household and bring the American ma
This, if true, would be a sad state of affairs
indeed; but think your fears are imaginary
and groundless. / have cen engaged In law
personal observation pretty well acquainted
with the judicial and political history of our
country for over forty years, and have never
known an in stance yet where the exposure of
fraud, and the punishment of criminals, cast
gloom over household, or interfered with
anyoneS business, or brought anyone into
reproach, besides that ofthe criminal and his
associates and Symps thiZers. If you and your
party associates are innocent OF frauds In re-
rarn To fIa nla i'm rain of lnrts do or,l
Louisiana, you owe ii to yourselves and
country, TO court a speedy investigation, that
the charges made against you by democratic
newspapers may be shown 10 be false and
groundiess. If the in We >tigation shall disclose
The innocence of yourself and partisan associ
ates, (and sincerely hope II may then, in
deed. will the civilized world be reioced to
learn that ihe president de facto holds his
position in right, and not by fraud.
think you committed a blunder in the
effort you made to prevent Investigation; for
tho gu you may be innocent, yet the public
whether Justly or unjustly) always suspicious
guilt when il sees the person accused endeavor-
ing to avoid Investigation.
You complain that in the passage of the
Potter resolution "That neither amendment
nor debate was allowed" This mplaint,
coming from one OF liberal thought and con-
duct, should commend itself to public favor:
but when we reflect how many dozen times
within the last 10 years your partisan associ-
ates have refused the privilege OF debate TO
democratic memD rs OF congress, your lamen-
tstion in this regard is simply a subject of
laughter and ridicule. You conn PLAIN that the
democratic members "ShameleSSlN and relent-
leSSly Stlned all inquiry as 10 alleged attempts
at bribery and violence perpetrated In several
states. Have you not made an erroneous
charge in this regard? If the newspaper re-
ports of the proceedings of con-
greSS which | have Seen are correct, the
democratic members of the house of represent.
atives have not stihed inquiry in regard
alleged attempts of bribery or the preparation
of violence in certain states; but they simply
refused TO impose the burden of such inquiry
on the committee having the matter of the
alleged frauds in Florida and Louisiana in
charge; AMI they notified you that if you
would ask for committee in regard To said
alleged attempts at bribery and violence on
the part of democrats that you should be ac-
commodated in that respect. Whydo you not
ask for a committee to investigate the ch argos
in regard to attempts at bribery which you
made? If you do not ask for such committee
speedily the public will likely believe that
neither you nor your associates have faith in
said charges, and That you made them to re-
tard public business in congress. Whatever
the leaders of parties in congress may desire,
it is certain, very certain, that nothing is more
agreeable to the American people than to see
fraud exposed and political Offenders brought
10 justice
You denounce the action of the democratic
members IN appointing a committee to in
vestigate the alleged frauds in Florida and
Louisiana as Revolutionary" The political
sense of revolution" is 10 deny or revolt
against the authority of government; but
for my life can not cOmpreh' rd how the in
vestgation of an alleged crime Is. "revolu-
tionary.", Certainly we have not got to the
pass which France was in when King Louis
stamped the MOOR WIN MS lOOI duu S;tlu, Il
am the state" In this country no one man is
the government, nor above the laws; and il
the time ever comes when it shall be deemed
to be revolu ionary to expose election frauds,
then Will our liberties be a sham, and absolute
monarchy, (wr ich allows of no electfOos) be a
necessary choice of evils. Tweed acted for
time as though he considered himself the
government OF the city of New York; but the
boldness and perseverance, with which Tllden
attacked and prosecuted him, convinced him
ultimately that he had been simply a servant
of the public, and his exposure proved him TO
be a dishonest one at that. And il there be
other rweeds in power your cry OF "revolu-
ton" will not deter the American people from
prosecuting their exposure. Mark the pre-
diction.
You say the appointment of committee 10
investigate the alleged frauds in Florida and
Louisiana is an effort of the democracy to in
augurate anarchy and MexicanIze the govern
lnent." Are you serious about this change?
Or rather ought you not to be ashamed to pub
lish to the world that an exposure OF fraud
and crime Of such exist i'm regard to the elec-
ons in Florida and Louisiana) is calculated
to inaugurate anarchy and Mexicanize lhe
American government? Iexpress no opinion
concerning the alleged frauds in the states last
named: but surely, ii President Hayes Is an