The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-20
Failure Of the Conspiracy.

lut OtttE COlllniUCee, WHICH Stdrleu Out
with such extrayagant pretentions to scruti-
nizing hunt after Republican frauds, and an
earnest purpose to avoid all allusion to DEM
ocratic frauds, is now regarded by all reflect
ing men as complete failure and is really
placed in very unenviable role. When we
call to mind the grave charges against two
prominent gentlemen. specifically named
Secretary Sherman and Minister Noyes-and
the high-sounding sentences about Republi-
can frauds in Louisiana and Florida, which
formed the reasons for the creation of the
Committee, and then refer to the agencies by
which these serious allegations were attempt
eato be established, it is difficult to conceal a
feeling of scorn and contempt for the whole
aeedings. The evidence upon which the
caarees were sought 10 be nairtained would
iiot have 5.en received IN any jus Ices court
in The country. The main wifness,-ia TACT
we may say the sole witness,-whose testi-
monv was introduced to blacken the char
acter of Mr.. Sherman, complacently con-
fessed to perjury, and, added to this, forge
ry has been so completely fixed upon him,
that without the formal presentation of re-
butting testimony, the country is prepared
to acquit the accused of all faint OF corrup-
ton in the matter charged. With equal i'm
pressiveness has the arraignment of Mr..
Noyes been accepted as a wicked plot to i'm
plicate the character of an honorable man
in gross corruptions, for the witness depend
ed upon to give vitality and verify to
the charge, has substantially stated that
there was no grounds for such an imputa-
ton. This, too, is upon the testimony Of
the prosecution in both cases, without the
defense having been fully heard. When the
case for the defense is fully developed and
stated, it will be found that the Sherman
letter, about which the Democratic press
has been so hilarious, is a gross forgery, and
that perjury and forgery have been the
means by which the character OF gentle
man who has been in public life for thirty
years, without stain attaching to him, was
to be destroyed, in order that miserable
partizan sensation might be created to effect
partizan purposes; and, also, that so far
from Gov. Noyes having suggested or en-
couraged any suspicious or fraudulent ma
nipuation of the ballot or returns, his only
offence was to ask for fair, just and i'm
partial count, to the end that the will of the
people might have effect and legitimate
force.
The further progress of the investigation
will fully vindicate the character not only
Of Messrs. Sherman and Noyes, but Mr.. Mat
thews, and to the degree that this vindica-
ton is made clear to just and unprecedented
minds, will the condemnation of the insti-
gators of the wicked plot be measured. The
history Of American politics does not offer
parallel to this malicious persecution and
base prostitution of a little brief authority
for partizan ends, and when the calm judg-
ment of the country shall have been rem
dered in the premises, as rendered it will
be, popular scorn will blister the marplots
with its intensity, and brand them as recre-
ants to the high trusts confided to them as
representatives Of the people in the Con-
gress of the United States.
The paramount aim of the investigation
was to assail the title of the President, and
to do this it was necessary to implcate the
gentlemen we have named with transac-
tons which would establish fraud in the de-
termination OF the Electoral vote. The
,ttor 70 il-1re ~ tha cobamn ic aoI,nomIodrod
in the adoption of the Burchard resolution
elsewhere published, as well as in the report
of the Judiciary committee, ard the recorda-
ton OF the Judgment Of the House as
sion that there is nothing liz the evidence SO
far adduced to justify the charges preferred in
the Potter resolutions. Had not the failure
been complete and overwhelming as to the
allegations against Sherman and Moves, the
Burchard resolution would never have been
adopted, nor would the report of the Judici-
airy committee, as adopted, ever have been
made. The men who were directing and
controlling the conspiracy not only against
the character of these gentlemen, but against
the government itself, were conscious them
selves of the wickedness and weakness of
the scheme they had concocted, and felt,
too, the force of an indignant and protesting
public sentiment that permeated the very
air, and was ready 70 visit upon them the
severest condemnation, and hence they were
anxious enough to escape the storm that
threatened, by entrenching themselves be-
hind the report of the judiciary COM
mittee.
1t was deep and cautious plot, to all
The Kimmel bill, covering
the plan OF Montgomery Blair to GUST Hayes
and install Tilden, was to rest with the Ju-
dietary committed until the progress of the
Potter investigation had developed either
success or failure. If success, the bill was
to be reported favorably. If failure, then
the report was to aid them in an escape from
the responsibility of the revolutionary
scheme they intended to consummate. The
adoption of the Burchard resolution and the
committees report, is the severest reproof
that could be given to the eonspirators, as it
is defeat OF the revolutionary purpose which
instigated the entire proceedings, and a con-
demnation uttered out of the mouths of the
very men who conceived and formulated the
The people now will want fair, square
settlement with the men who have shown
such reckless disregard of the peace and
quiet of the country, and this they will have
when the appeal is made to the ballot box.
The Eastern Congress.
The representatives Of France, Germany,
England, Austria, Italy and Russia, who
constitute the Congress to revise the trea-
les of Paris, Vienna, and San Stefano, are
low in session at Berlin. The deliberations
ire in secret, but indications point to COM
,lications of serious nature, which will re-
luire the incest diplomacy to adjust. The |