The New York herald., 1878-05-30


stephens and Key Versus Potter.
The letter Of Postmaster General Key to the
people of the South, warming them against
the revolutionary designs of the demo-
cratic party, and the letter Of Ny. Alexander
H. Stephens, in reply to Mr. Potter, are IN q
similar strain. We see no great reason Tor
these shrill notes of alarm, because we are
convinced that the Potter committee VIII
discover no facts Of any Importance
which are not already well known to
the country. We expect the investlga-
ton to end in fasco. 1t was set on
foot by the. artful use of exaggerated
statements as to the documents and evil
dence said to be in the possession OF certain
persons in Washington, which documents
and evidence were carefully withheld from
the inspection Of the great body OF demo-
cratic members whose votes were demanded
on the mere naked assertions Of few crafty
leaders The witnesses who are to be sum-
moned before the committee will probably
disappoint the expectations which have been
raised by the democratic nanipulators, the
nest important Of them having already de-
clared that they have as much to tell about
democratic as about republican frauds. Gen.
eral Butler, who was put on the committee for
sinister purposes, will act zealously with the
republicans, and he is too astute and pene-
trating to be practised upon by bogus testi-
mony. His keen cross-questioning Will
riddle the witnesses on whom the demo-
crats mainly rely, and he will take mali
cious pleasure in foiling his democratic as
sociates on the committee. The mountain
will bring forth a mouse, and the result OF
the investigation will be of little value to
the democrats, even as campaign literature.
We therefore see no necessity for such a
passionate appeal as Mr.. Key makes to the
Southern people nor for the note Of alarm
which has been sounded by Mr. Stephens.
We quite agree with Mr.. Stephens, how
ever, in thinking that the movement will
be either great farce or great tragedy-a
great tragedy if serious attempt is made
to depose President Hayes, but great
farce if the investigation leads to nothing
but mares nest. We are confident that 1t
is only mares nest, which will cover Mr..
Potter and his committee with derision.
The sentiments of Mr.. Stephens are ex-
pressed in the following vigorous para
graphs Of his letter.
look upon the whole Of this proceeding. con-
coctcd Il was, conducted as II has bccn ~ most
unw,ss, fortunate and most mischievous. lts
effect VIII be 70 the peace harmony and quiet
OF the country Neither Mr. Potter nor anybody oso
can prevent II, and say 10 him most respectfully
that nothing short OF AZ imm ediAte, general and nrm
concert OF action Of the law and orderabdnx people
OF all parties republicans and democrats through.
out tho Union IN Reproduction OF this investigation
proceeding any further with view 20 disturb the
Prcsicen ai title, such announced by the Pennsyl
vania democracy In their Convention lew days ago,
can arrest the fearful consequeuces Those who
have. though innoceutiy, sowed the wind viii reap
the whirlwind.
Ny own opinion 10, as I have repeatedly said, this
affair will prove IN the end either contemplate
the Mexican OF ocr federal Republic the result
must show. But say, az said on another recent
occasion, that all soft words nstihnG in tue mnd OF
tho pseDie OF this country the idsa toat Mr. Hayes
snS ss sssfai i shs VI q Is srsss Web
asnd 70 sns snap" Of s.oad 10 tue ear Of Evs' no"
We think Mr.. Stephens. pitches his elo-
quence in too high key, and that the
Potter movement is more fitted to provoke
derision than denunciation. Mr.. Potter
confesses that nothing important can be
done without new evidence, and we know
enough of the situation to justify the belief
that the democrats will be disappointed in
their witnesses. We expect the Potter Com
mittee TO become national laughing-stock
rs soon as its investigation gets we'll under
way.
a.