Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-05-31
The New Damooratio Iasna.


The New Democratic Issue,
IT is becoming more and more evil
dent every day that the partisan inves-
tigation set on foot in the House of Rep
rcsentatives is aimed at President
Hayes, and intended to depose him
from office. Mr.. Potter's resolution
was recognized as a question of the
" highest privilege" simply because
the Speaker of the House found "the
election of President enumerated un-
der that rule. Mr.. Potter refused to
listen to Mr.. Hale's resolution widening
the scope of the investigation. because
the declared purpose of the investiga-
ton was "to investigate the frauds
which became operative, which were
successfully carried out, which were
effective" Mr.. Young's resolution in
the Democratic caucus was rejected,
because 1t was declaratory of a purpose
to leave the President undisturbed in
the occupancy of his office. The vet
eran Alexander II. Stephens was re-
fused a hearing by his own side of the
House, because he intended to show the
uHfairness of a one-sided and partisan
investigation. Speaker Randall made
a ruling which violated all the prece-
dents, simply because twas feared that
any further delay might force the Dem
ocratic caucus to grant a hearing to the
frauds charged by the Republicans as
well as to those charged by the Demo-
Gratis. Every consideration of patriot
ism and every appeal to justice have
ham aaiHn nf tt,otsnlxy To ,;a,
investigation, but to make it partial
and partisan, because it was felt that
an exhibit of Democratic frauds would
counterbalance an exhibit of Republic
an frauds, and leave no excuse for an
attempt to remove President Hayes,
which is the single aim of the move
ment. Finally, the packed selection of
the committee indicates the purpose to
prevent the Republicans as far as pos
sible from protecting themselves even
in the one-sided investigation that has
been ordered
There is no reasonable doubt, then,
that the Democrats in Congress, under
caucus dictation, against which there
has not been ore practical and efficient
protest, have determined to "crowd
Hayes out of office" They do not con-
template the single constitutional meth
cd for removing the President-first,
because it would be impossible to prove
any completely on his part with any
frauds that may be developed; and,
secondly, because his removal by inn
peachment would seat Vice-President
Wheeler, which would not satisfy the
intriguers. There remains, then, the
moral certainty that no reopening OF
this controversy is designed to accom-
plish the removal of President Hayes
by setting aside the verdict of the pre-
ceding Congress which counted the
votes and declared him elected, accord
ing to the constitutional method. This
would be bad enough if it stood alone,
because it is revolutionary and threat
ems to disturb the stability of our Gov
ernment not only for the present but
for all future time. A successful and
deliberate violation of the Constitution
in one instance will certainly serve as Il
precedent for the future when similar
conditions shall arise. But the Demo-
cratic position is made the more treach-
erous and infamous because there is
not Democratic newspaper or public
man of any. standing who has not at one
time or another, in a more or less en-
phatic tone, insisted that the party
must peacefully abide by the result of
the election as it was determined under
a law of Congress and declared by Con-
gress itself.
In the closing days of the last Con-
gress, and following the session of the
Electoral Commission, the effort made
to break down the decision was abortive,
and the handful of Democrats who re-
sorted to filibustering for this purpose
were denounced by their own party
throughout the length and breadth of
the land as threatening revolution,
anarchy, civil war. Yet the situation
is in no wise changed. The law and
the facts were the same then as now.
Party passions ran higher, and there
would even have been more extenuation
at that time than there is now for rev.
proceeding. The threat of
up the electoral decision and
McXicanizing the Government is even
more menacing to the integrity of the
nation, the prosperity of the country,
and the permanency of our institutions
after nearly two years of quiet acquies-
cence in the result, brought about un-
der the forms of law, than it would
have been under an immediate revolu-
tionary attempt by the irresponsible
demagogues who were bewailing the
loss of the offices. How will the Dem
ocratic politicians ever be able to justi-
fly resort to Mexican methods after
having denounced and foresworn themP
Chicago Tribune.