The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-10

august LIN, at = clock, 4. A., Tor the pur-
pose Of fixing the time Of calling the Congress
~ R. MANNING, Chairman.
w. II. NANDERFoRD, Sec.
Mr.. Tilden and the Electoral Commission.
The Democratic press generally has
been disposed to censure Mr.. Tilden for
his silence and seeming Indifference dur
ing the contest for the presidency succeed
ing the election in 1876, and we confess
to having been Of the number Since the
controversy between Hon. Henry Waiter
son and Hon. A. S. Hewitt, in which the de-
ception and the incompetency of the latter
as leader were fully shown, we have, how
ever, thought better of him; and after
reading the letter Of Mr.. Manton Marble,
which appeared ia the New York papers
Of Monday. and which gives chapter in
the history Of the electoral bill and Mr..
TiIden's actions and utterances during its
tendency heretofore unpublished, we not
only have no words Of censure, but accord
TO him the highest commendation for the
craftsmanship and sagacity he exhibited
at the time He showed foresight and wis
dom greater than all the chosen Democrat
ic leaders in both houses of congress COM
bined. lie saw at a glance that the cleo
toral bill was defeat to the Democratic
party. He opposed haste, and counseled
earnest and thoughtful consideration. He
desired his party to stand firm aud unbro-
ken upon the constitution and precedents.
He feared not a revolution, nor shared the
almost eowardiee exhibited by some Dem
ocrats on account of Grants array of mill
tary at Washington. Mr.. Tilden did not
speak to the country during the trying
and uncertain times Of the winter of 1877,
for that would have put the opposition in
possession of his views and plans, but he
did express himself freely to the Demo-
Gratis directly in charge Of the electoral
count.
Passing over Mr.. Marbles history of
the frauds practiced in South Carolina,
Florida and Louisiana, which is familiar
to every reader, we como to the meeting
of congress and the measures adopted for
counting the electoral votes. Mr.. Tilden
advised his friends foremost in the House
of Representatives that the final success of
the conspiracy was impossible if the
House would stand immovably upon the
unbrOken series Of presidents formed by
the twenty-five presidential counts from
1898 to 1872, and 10 order to familiarize
the people with these precedents, had a
history of them together with the debates
thereon, compiled, published and circula-
ted. Upon these presidents he was will
ling 10 rest the succession to the presiden-
cy, and desired his friends to force debate
on them he accepting all responsibility
for the outcome.
In accordance with the plan of Mr..
Tilden, a set Of resolutions, declaring the
House Of Representatives coequal with the
Senate in counting the electoral vote, and
defining the other powers of the House,
we're prepared and reported to the House
Of Representatives Hon. Proctor Knott
made powerful argument for their adop-
ton in presenting them, but issue on them
had scarcely been joined when another
committee Of the House announced that a
compromise had been effected. The cleo
toral bill, that instrument by which the
presidential fraud was consummated and
the voice of nearly million majority Of
the white voters of the land stihed, had
been conceived in secret consultation, and
the committee-four Republicans and
three Democrats-had unanimously deter
mined to report it Immediately.
4ffer this action had been taken by the
Democratic Senators, Mr. Hewitt, the pos
SCISSOR Of all Mr.. Tilden plans and views,
made Mr.. Tilden acquainted with the pro-
visions of the bill. Mr.. Tilden disapproved
of the bill and cOunseled delay and the
fullest discussion. When informed that
the Senate would not delay, his foresight
was exhibited when he remarked sit is a
panic Of pacifcators; they viii act in haste
aRd repent at leisure" He saw what the
result would be. He had fought Radical
ism before, and had learned wisdom The
experience of the Democratic leaders n
Congress in their contests with Radical
ism, served only to illuminate the paths
over which they had gone.
To Mr. Hewitt's representations of the
danger of collision of force with the ex-
eeutive, Dir. Tildsn replied:
Nevertheless, this action is too precipitate.
The fears of collision are exaggerated. And
why surrender now? You can always sur
render. That is all you have to do after be-
ing beaten. Why surrender before the battle,
for fear of having to surrender after the bat
tie is over2'
In criticising the bill further, Mr.. Til
den said:
i'If an arbitration is to be adopted the duty
Of the arbitratOrs to investigate and decide
the case on IFS merits should be made man
datory and not left a question of construction.
with both the vital points left at loose
ends You cannot succeed. You cannot afford
60 eoncede, and you can exact the selection
ofgood men TO compose the tribunal, which
IS the controlling point; and the nature ofthe
function TO be performed by the tribunal,
which is next in Importance.
Fix these two points-good men; explicit
Powers-and you might probably get through.
Leave them doubtful and il is happy go lucky
the shake of a dice box"
The next day, January 10, Mr.. Hewitt,
having returned to Washington, telegraph
ed thence to Mr.. Edward Cooper, in New
York:
WASHINGTON, January Is, 1877.
To +. G.:-The Senate committee will
probably reject FIVE and report six Judge plan
Immediately.
Our Capators f,al co,,r,;,,aJ a., ,.