The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-05
Cen. Gordon and the Case against
Hayes.

Hayes.
The tone assumed by Gen. GoRDoN OF
Georgia toward Mr. HAYES reminds one
very forcibly of the old-iashioned command
OF the master to his slave. That any one
should thus address the person occupy
ing the Office of President of tho United
States would have seemed Incredible upon
any doubtful authority; but we have the
assurance Of the fact under GoRDoNs own
sign manual, in n letter addressed 10 Mr.. W.
A. HUFF Of Macon, the disappointed candi-
date for United States Marshal. The au-
thcnticity OF this letter, which has been
published. and to which attention has been
called by Mr.. CHANDLER is unqucs.i oncd.
In this letter Mr.. GORDON writes to Mr..
HUFF as follows:
"Iheard for the mrs, time OF your being pressed for
appointment suitable person 10 hmit up the Rcpub
hcan party Georgia sufprs,d th.- at asked
the President 10 withhold any appointment ter day
,ni until could b, heard from. ~, Pesd Consented
the akcd the rr, nt the direct question, Is
Nj HurF urged tor appointment rs Dcmucratr lie sad
No. not aS Democrat but man with very liberal
kta. IN poiuo~'
The Information given me by the President himself
supplemented 10y the tact that Ncssrs McBuKNrY and
DnHit had presented and urged your appointment he
cause II would materially strengthen Rcpuhcanisn in
Georgia. were the reasons ~ only roi-s ana think
succn reasons tor opposition to appointment
Gen. GoRDoN's opposition to the appoint
ment Of Mr.. HUFF was successful, and one
FITZsGMMoNs, u Democrat, was appointed in
his stead.
These facts arc undisputed Let us for
moment consider what their necessary
effect is upon the reputation and standing
Of Mr. HAYES. We will start with the other
tpli n.
nominated for President IA n Republican.
that he accepted as Republican. and was
supported throughout the campaign, and
voted for, rs IA Republican, pure and simple,
and nothing else.
When, therefore, Mr.. HAYES allowed the
naughty GORDON, fresh from the ranks
Of his foes. and still wearing their war
paint on his face, to demand Of him with
the imperous air Of n conQueror to the
vanqushcd or rather with the tone Of au-
thority used by master in interrogating
slave, WAS Mr. HUFF urged for appoint
ment as q Democrat ?" and when he still fur
Their allowed Mr. GORDON to demand of him
the withdrawal of Mr.. HUFF's name and
the substitution Of Democrats for it, and
when Mr.. HAYES submitted to these de-
mands, and complied with them, he es-
established the fact that he had betrayed The
party that rOted for him. On this point there
can be no dispute.
Now, treachcry to a political party Is not
crime at law. 1t cannot be punished by
Indictment, trial, conviction, and sentence
But treachcry TO political party at whose
hands one has accepted nomination for the
high Office Of President, would seem to argue
baseness OF character akin to that Of
traitor TO his country.
How are we to account for such conduct
in Mr.. HAYES He has been regarded
throughout his life az a man of ordinary DO
litical fidelity. What, then, is the expana-
ton of his treachory 10 the Republicans
who had nominated him? II il very sim
pie. The Republicans, it is true had nom
mated him, hut they had not elected him.
IL attained his erection by a bargain ruth me
rebd element, and he cOnsnLrol ihat to his
element h. olrcd has first allegiance: and
therefore he turned his back upon the Re
puhlicans, and yielded to the demands Of
GORDON.
While, however, this accounts for the fact,
II docs not explain quite satisfactorily the
whole manner OF the transaction. Cor
DoN's demands were rather commands.
given, too, in that singing tone Of the slave
holder to his human chattel which implies
ownership; while HAYEs's submission was
made with the self-abnegation and absolute
surrender Of n slave.
We think this goes far to establish not
only the fact that there was political bar
gain, including among its terms the betrayal
of the Republican cause, but the further
fact that HAYES was IA party to IA criminal
conspiracy to defeat the lawful election of
the opposing candidate. which, If any Of his
fellow conspirators should betray him,
might subject him to impeachment and re-
moval.
Gen. GORDON would not have addressed a
man lawfully elected an innocent man, oc-
cupying the White House, in the dicta-
toral, arrogant insolent, commanding tone
which he employed toward Mr.. HAYES; and
no President, lawfully elected, and limo
rcntly occupying the White House, would
ever submit TO be taken to task and dictated
TO in such manner