The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-10


title, or that the Potter investigation looks
in that direction. That bugbear which the
awkwardness Of the democrats gave the re-
publicans IN opportunity to raise has been
laid. The inquiry meantime has already
developed facts of such Importance as.
to some extent at least. justify it In
the public mind That deliberate
forgery Of enc of the most solemn
and important documents ever exc
.cuted in this country has been COM
mitted seems to be established certainly
if Mr.. Potter makes no other discoveries
this, which shows the desperate character
of the so-called republicans in Louisiana
and gives q necessary warning to the coun-
try against other attempts OF this kind, is
sufficient 1t seems probable, however,
that other, though we should hope less
serious, crimes and Irregularities VIII DC
brought to light by the committee. sf
While every one must rejoice at the dis
covery of such crimes we are not OF those
to whom it is u pleasure to see public men
Of previous high character and good repute
dragged down by apparent or real partlcl-
patton in or knowledge of them. 1t is not
pleasure, but regret, which men jealous OF
the good name Of their country must feel
when they read such letters as Senator
Matthews allowed Anderson to write
him. When Secretary Sherman gave an
uncertain answer to the plain ques-
ton about the letter to Anderson it
was resentment at the thought Of dis
credit cast on the country by the i'm
putation meekly accepted by him which
all honorable men felt. When men high
in place and power are found to stoop'to
dirty intrigues and consort with common
scoundrels. forgers and perjurers, such as
some of the Louisiana republicans are
proved to be, they bring disgrace not
merely on themselves, but on the country.
We were bitterly disappointed, therefore,
when Secretary Sherman did not deny
writing the alleged letter, as we had reason
to expect he would. And while we have
not the rcmotest thought that President
Hayes has been involved in such matters
he ought to know that the persistent and
abundant favor he has shown to men who
were conspicuous in the doubtful political
transactions of 1876 has lowered him in
the general esteem and robbed him OF the
respect and confidence Of the best men in
the country.
He has deliberately and continually used
the federal patronage to reward and honor
men the whole country knows to be dis
reputable; whom he knows, in common with
everybody else, to be tainted with the dis
graceful maladministration in the Southern
States; whom he could not have thought OF
appointing or retaining in office if he had
sought persons Of unblemished character
and reputation, and to whom everybody
sees he extends his favor for no other
reason than that they helped by dubious
means to raise him to the Presidency. We
are not OF those who hold that President
oaght to 60 outside OF his party to confer
public office; but within his party he ought
surely to choose the most honorable, the
most capable, the most justly eminent men.
We should not even complain if Presi-
dent distinguished in n particular man
ner these who conspicuously aided
in his domination and election. It was
charged upon Mr. Jefferson that he re-
warded gentlemen who helped his election;
and Mr. Bayard, the ancestor Of the present
Senator, in 1907, in the House Of Repre-
scntatives, made this the foundation OF a
very piquant reply to one fMr Jetferson's
adherents, of which we quote the following
passage. 1t will be remembered that the
election was by the House. Mr.. Bayard
said
in that scene had my part; II was part not bar
ron oil incident, and which has left an impression
which cannot easily depart from my recollection.
snow who wcro rendered important characters,
either from possession OF personal means or from
ask honorable member what his reflections aud be-
lief will DO when he observes that every man on whose
vote the event OF the election hung has snco been
DISTINGUISHED by Presidential favorY fear,
sir, snail violate tho decorum OF parliamentary pro-
cecding IN the msntionins OF names; bur nupc Tho
example which has been set me Will be admitted MS
excuse. Mr.. Charles Pinckuey OF South Carolina,
was not a member OF tho House. but no was ono OF
the most active, efficient ana successful promoters OF
the election OF The present Chief Magistrate. 1t
well ascerlancd that the votes OF south Carolina
were to turn tho equal balance OF tho scales. The
z,al anu industry o, Mr.. PiDckncy had no bounds.
tic doubtful politics o. Socth Carolina were decided
aud her votes INTO the scale of Mr.. Jefferson.
Mr. Piuckrey has sincc been npponcd Minister Picn-
ipot, niiary 10 the Court OF Madrid. appointment
as hgh and honorable as any within the GIT OF tho
i
the reward OF talents and services, although, SIR
have never yet heard OF the talents services OF
Mr. Charles pinckney. In tho House Of Representa-
tIvcs know what was Tho value Of the vote OF Mr..
Claiborne Of Tennessee. Tho vote OF a State was Ia
hrs hands. Mr.. Claiborne has since occn raiscd 10 tho
high dignity o. Governor oil the Mississippi Territory.
Know how great, and how greatly cit. was the I'M
por,ancc OF tho vote Of NJ. Linn oil Now Jersey.
inc deicgatio OF tho stato consists OF 1.-Two
members. Two OF the delegation were decidedly for
Mir. Jefferson; two decidedly Tor Mr. Burr. Mr..
Linn considered ms incning 10 ono side, but stu
doubtful. BON parties looked up 10 him for the voc
OF Now Jersey lilo gave u to Mr.. Jefferson aud Mr..
Linn has hud the profitable oicc Of supervisor
al his district conferred upou him. Mr. Lyon, OF
Vermont, was, in this Instance, an important man.
He ncutralizod tho vote Of Vermont HIS absence
alone would have given tho vote OF state TO Mr..
Burr IL was too mucn to give Office TO Dir. Lyon ;
his character low. But MI. Lyons son has been
handsomely provided Tor In one OF the executive
offices shall add To the catalogue but tho name OF
one ~ ore gentleman, Mr.. Edward Livingston, OF New
York. Know well, fuil well know, tho conscquct cs
or this gentleman. His means we're not limited to
his own voe my, always considered more than the
vote oil New York within his power. Mr.. Livingston
has been made the attorney for tho district OF New