The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-06

hoh merely ia difference TO Mr.. Blair. IL Is
true that there is some significance In the
claim Of that gentleman that the President is
now without party, Nay, more, the Presi-
dent has alienated and rendered Indifferent
the leaders of his own party; and. although
some OF them are maintaining a mastery 81.
ience, IT Is quite evident that their consent
could be obtained TO a prosecution Of the
case before the Supreme Court by Congress
furnishing the necessary machinery. The
New York Post pithiIy remarks upon the ST.
lenec Of Mr.. Conkling at present, and draws
significance from the fact that he was absent
from the caucus Of Senators, isho met the
other day IN Washington TO consider ways
and means to strengthen the Republican
party: Il may be that this great leader is
awaiting such combination as Mr. Blair is
industriously and intelligeutly forming to
give the coup de main to its effectiveness. II
IS idle to suppose Mr.. Blair has no influence,
or that his motives are bounded by any other
desire than TO seat Mr.. Tilden. He belongs
to class of politicians that are above the
suspicion of personal motives. He is I'M
doubtedly honest, and say what you please
he has sagacity, foresight and wonderful
power Of organization. If is true that the
leaders of the Republican party are indiffer-
ent or averse to Mr.. Hayes, it is obvious that
the material upon which Mr.. Blair has to
work is malleable. On the other hand, how
ever, 1t is exceedingly doubtful whether Mr..
Blair could manage his own party. The
Southern policy has been highly gratifying to
the Democrats, and even the hotspur's Of the
party are by no means favorable to Mr.. Til
den, because they believe he gave up the con-
test without a sufficient struggle. Mr.. Blair's
resolutions may be in their present shape in
operative, but they may constitute part of the
foundation upon which case could be built
that would shake the tenure of Mr.. Hayes to
the possession of the White House.
The New York letter to the Philadelphia
Ledger, dated on the Sd instant, says Gov.
Iilden declines to be interviewed with refer
ence to the passage of Montgomery Blair's
resolutions in the Maryland Legislature, and
all attempts 10 obtain from him some express
sion of opinion on the subject, by letter, have
failed. Il is well known, however, that not
less than six weeks ago he was less reticent,
and that he then gave his friends to under
stand, without reserve, that he was indisposed
to countenance any scheme that had for its
purpose the re-opening of the Presidential
question. He may have changed his mind
since; but If he has, there have been no init
nations Of 1t, even to his most trusted per-
sonal friends.
Two obstacles appear to lie in the way
of attaining Mr. Bair's ends, the enact
ment of the necessary legislation by Con-
gress and the intrusive rthy character of
the Supreme Court If Congress were
to pass the preliminary Legislation, Mr..
Hayes would not sign it, and unless
it could be passed over the Presidential
veto, it would fail. But, assuming that
the necessary Legislation may be had, the
Supreme Court, as at present constituted,
could not be elied on to give any other
than a partizan decision in the case.
After the action of the Judges in the
Electoral Commission, no confidence can
be placed in that body whatever. Mr..
Blair, therefore, has very unprOmising
case before him. But that in no way
affects the merits of the question. 1t is a
burning shame to the country that its
Presidency is filed by fraud, and dis
grace to her citizens that they should rest
content under such state Of things. 1t
is an evidence of the political rottenness
which has set in, that a number of promi-
nent Journals have attempted to ridicule
the whole matter, and the agents of the
associated press have been conspicuous in
this work. We cannot see how it is that
country like this governed by the will
OF the people as expressed at the ballot
box, should have that will defeated by
fraud, and an attempt to right the wrong
be made a matter of ridicule. IF an hon
est purpose to support the choice of the
people actuated these parties, they would
welcome Mr. Blair's effort instead of at
tempting to ridicule 1t, for it viii not be
denied that the success of such an attempt
would rebound much more to the honor
Of the country than passive submission
to such wrong. AIr. Blair is not shaken
in his purpose in the least, by the light
treatment Of the subject by these light
headed testers. His plan may not be
practicable one, and there may be no plan
to remedy the evil, but the attempt at
least is honorable to the man who makes
it, and betOkens a moral courage which
should command admiration.