Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-05-15

The opposition of the radicals to Mr.. Potter's
resolution for an investigation OF the Florida
fraud, 90 matter what msy be its objects, can
have but Que effect, and that is to strengthen,
10 the minds of all unbiased people, the belief
10 the existence of that fraud. The excuse tor
their opposition, founded upon the assertion
that tho democrats will not allow the nvestiga'
ton to be general, but want to conhne 1t solely
to the case of Florida, is as untrue as it is dis
Ingenious, and, in tho language of the streets,
10 entirely "too thin to gull readers OF ordinary
intelligence. The democrats do not object to
making The investigation include not only every
State, but every city and county, and every
ward and precinct 10 the country,in which fraud
is charged at the last Presidential election, and
assert that they will vote for resolution to
that effect, but, as the fraud 10 Florida is the
most glatog one that has been exposed, as
some Of those engaged in it have made full and
open confession Of their completely in the lDfa'
nous transaction, and as there can be 10 pos.
sibe doubt about the result of az Investigation
10 that case. they very properly don't want it
trammeed BY and incumbered with, a multi
lude Of other exrsneous matters about which
there is great uncertainty, and the examination
of which, simultaneously with the Florida
fraud, must necessarily hinder and rctard
decision 10 case 10 which everybody is inter-
estod. When Mr.. Potter's resolution is adopt.
3D. so that proceedings under it can be com.
menced, the democrats will vote to investigate
any aud all charges of fraud the radicals may
bring but, until that is done, they are justified,
and the country vii! sustain them, in their re-
fusa to have that resolution - loaded down as
to make it ineffective, and that that is the
object Of Mr.. Hale's resolution, providing for
general and ndiscrimnate investigation, there
can be but little doubt. Mems actions 10 poll.
tics are guided by the same Influences that con-
troll them in other matters and upon that prin.
ciple # the radicals in Congress were conscious
of The iuucccnse of their party they would court
aothiug so much as thorough Investigation of
every charge that has been brought against it,
knowing that its complete vindcaton would be
The result; and if Mr.. Hayes were convinced
that the charges against him were groundess
be would 60 to the House and demand that bis
political friends, so far from opposing, should
support MIR. Potter's resolution to q man. Any
man in private life who had false charge
brought against him, in order to clear his char
acter Of tho stain that would otherwise attach
to land to remove stigma that would 10 case he
attempted to smother that charge descend to his
children, would demand an Investigation by the
proper tribunal, being assured by bis innocence
that az examination would be all that would be
required to acquit him before all men, AMI tho
radical congressman and Mr.. Hayes would do
likewise were they not convinced that the moro
the Florida case is probad tho more positive
and direct becomes proof that man is Prosi
dent who was not elected to the Office, and that
other men obtained, and now hold, prominent
and lucrative positions as pay for the respective
parts they took in the fraud by which the coun.
try was robbed of its fairly and legally elected
president A smothered fraud is as evil in it's
effects upon lis pcrpctra!or as 40 open one, and
% Mr. Hayes title could not now be invalidatod
were it proved that he had forged the returns
with his own hands, the radicals would lose
nothing, but rather advance in the opin.
ion of the people Of the country, by urg'
iug Oh The Investigation Of the Florida fraud,
even il the result as must certainly be the case.
prove that the President, Judge Bradley, Sec
rotary Sherman, Minister Noyes and many
other shining lights 10 the republican party arc
guilty of felony, and should 60 about like the
man in Baltimore, yesterday, with the plaoard.
Il anl thief" on their backs.
The Ohio Legislature having finally agreed