Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-20
THE RIGHT OF 1T,

Gen. Butler s opinion on the scope anu
intent of the electoral commission is law
yer's opinion, and is no doubt a correct one
from legal standpoint. The language OF
the resolution under which the commission
was formed and from which it derived its
authority plainly indicates that it was
merely temporary expedient intended to
tide over an emergency that had not been
contemplated or provided for by the consti-
tuition, and left the question of title open for
futur revision. Mr.. Hayes, under the
operation of this commission was installed
simply as an ad interim President, subject
to removal at any time that constitutional
settlement of the question of his title could
be arrived at. At the time of the meeting
Of the electoral commission Hayes apparent
ly had the best right to the Presidency on
the face of the returns, but as the commits
sion had no right to go back of the returns
and investigate the charges of fraud in the
election, it could not determine as fnality
the question of just and legal title. That
| was left to the authorities empowered by
law to inquire into the conduct of the
election.
But although this is no doubt correct legal
view of the duty and accomplished work of
the electoral commission, there is no legal bar
to allowing Mr.. Hayes title to the Presi-
dency to 60 unquestioned. A default taken
in court is not necessarily regarded as con-
! fession that the cause Of the person who so
defaults is without merit or equity. More
| frequently it is an indication that the liti-
CANT is satisfied to submit to injustice rather
than endure the annoyance and expense of a
| legal battle for his rights--a declaration that
| the game is not worth the powder. This is
precisely the positiont he Democ-
| racy of this country occupy
as to the Presidents title. They know
that they have been outrageously
swindled that Hayes holds his
| Office by virtue of the most
stupendous frauds; that they could if they
| would enforce their right to the control of
| the administration. But they also realize the
fact that any attempt to unseat the President
except by impeachment, would be attended
| by more or less disturbance to the business
interests of the country, and cause a politi-
cal excitement that might prove disastrous
or threaten the peace of the Republic.
Sooner than hazard these evils the Demo-
Gratis, with rare self-sacrifce, actuated only
by the highest patriotism and the sincerest
desire for the peoples good, have solemnly
resolved that they will forego their claims
upon the Presidential Office and make of the
nd interim President, President de j1re
until such time as he may voluntarily retire
! Or be removed III accordance with law.
They treat the decision of the electoral COM
mission as final only from motives of the
highest patriotism, and with a sincere inten-
ton of abiding by their declaration in letter
and in spirit.
It was not with purpose to unseat Mr..
Hayes by illegal means that the electoral in
quiry was instituted. It was simply mat.
ter of justice to the people, that full knowl-
edge Of the extent and character of the
frauds practiced might be had with a view to
forearming the public against similar crimes
in the next Presidential election. There il
no honest man throughout the length an6
breadth of the country who Is not in full &C
cord with these purposes. Democrats AZ
we'll as Republicans, while they may agre
with Gen. Buffers presentation of the lega
aspects of the Presidential case, will depre
cate the agitation of the subject, especial,
as Congress, by an almost unanimous vote
has waived it's undoubted right to revers
the decision of the electoral commission ant
thus made il final