The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-06-07

WHEN Mr.. PotteI's resolution Tor the
appointment of a committee to investigate
the alleged frauds in the Louisiana and
Florida election returns was adopted oy the
Democrats in Congress the Rep1blcan
press denounced it as revolutlonary-an
attack on the title of Hayes to The Presi-
dency-tbat it would paralyze the business
Of the country and end in another civil war.
Two cabinet officers, John Sherman, Sec
retary of the Treasury, who is implicated
in the Louisiana business, and David NJ.
Key. Postmaster General, both rushed into
print with letters attributing the same pad
motives to the friends of the resolution aud
predicting the same terrible result. 1t was
also said that Grant would at once return
from Europe and be prepared at the proper
time to take command of the loyal hosts TO
put down the new rebellion. thus tar
there have been no indications that any OF
these dreadful things will take place, or
that the country will become half so excl
ted as it did ten years ago, when the Re-
publican leaders, without cause or reason,
inpeached Andrew Johnston with the view
of installing Benjamin F. Wade in his
place. The title of Hayes, although he
was never elected, rests on the decision of
the Electoral Commission, concurred in by
both branches of Congress, and 10 Demo-
crat wants to disturb it. 1t could not be
done even # attempted, for although proof
of the frauds perpetrated i'm Louisiana and
Florida may be piled mountain high, Pc
lion upon Ossa, it would not destroy the
validity Of his title, unless, as we have
heretofore said, Hayes himself, by clear
and explicit proof, could De connected with
the frauds, and thus be liable to impeach-
ment and removal from office. The coun-
try has right to full and searching in
vestigation into these frauds, and a refusal
10y Congress to do SO would be blunder
worse tnam a crime. Although the light
ming of the investigation will be likely to
strike some of the Republican statesmen"
who went down to Louisiana and Florida
TO see shat there was a ''fair count" the
country will pass safely through the crisis.
There will be no revolutionary proceedings,
nor any paralysis in business affairs.
In All interview some days ago between
Judge Black and a reporter of the Phiia-
delphia Times, the Judge, in speaking of
Hayes title and the Potter investigation,
covered the whole case in these words:
Il take no stock in the prospect of turning
out HAYES Iy quo warTantO- No doubt Har eS
got the Presidency 10y means OF fraud. But
he got it and has it. 1t was conceded TO him 10y
the House Of Representatives. which ought to
have withheld it from him. Possession under
such circumstances is title to- every legal intent
and purpose. MIR. Hayes is President for four
years uul S. his term shall be abridged by im-
peachmcnt, resignation or death.
Can he he impeaChed for the fra nd practiSed
. to elect him ? Certainly not. But II there
bargdiued beforehand and after he got into
power he rewarded the guilt of the rascalS 10y
giving them offices, he Is impcachuhle Tor that.
So also is any subordinate officer who did the
ing and outrageous was pcrpetrated IN L0uiSi-
ana and Florida is beyond denial. II has been
already proved many times, in thousand ways
and by clouds Of witnesses. The pending in
showing 10y whom il was iaStigated and paid
for. | nope AMI believe that Mr.. Hayes had
nothing TO do with it, But ccI tain visiting <
statesmen may have gone down there and
t mere Instruments who did their corrupt work
on contract. If one of these visiting men be-
came Seer CtaTy Of the Treasury afterwards and
carried out the filthy bargain 10y rewurding the
criminals, then there Is no law or justice either
that can save him from impeachment. An cX
ample is needed. think tn. House ought &C
. have prOCe eGCd distinctly and prcsslY on thi:
ground and moved to this oi iective point, CIV.
ing Mr.. Sherman either a clean vindication on
p a just condemnation after n fair herring. ~
ii l., the invest igai ion seems to be aimleSS.-
. The mill is going, to be sure, but there is not h.
ing III the hopper that can be legally ground