The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-16
MONTGOMERY BLAIR

MONTGOMERY BLAIR.
Although the republicans themselves
have been greatly disposed to make war
upon President Hayes, and the action Of
republican leaders has exhibited unwonted
bitterness in assailing his so called Southern
policy end civil service reform, it is now
plainly evident that their displeasure has
arisen mainly from his not being radical
enough to suit their selfish and partizan
purposes. One of the principal actors IN
the returning board frauds, Mr.. W. +.
Chandler, ventured to make direct allega-
tons duplicating persons occupying high
official positions in torturous and crooked
practices to compass the election OF Hayes,
and, complaining of the abandonment OF
Packard in Louisiana, very logically said
that if Hayes carried that state undoubtedly
Packard did also, as his vote was longer
than that of the Hayes electors; yet the
persistent efforts of the republicans to pre-
vent any investigation of the alleged frauds
shows conclusively that it is not the wrong
and outrage perpetrated upon the ballot box
about which they are concerned, but their
great fear is lest the benefit of their con-
spiracy should be lost to the party through
the detection or the refrigeration of their
own president.
When Mr.. Montgomery Blair made a
move in the Maryland Legislature to call
upon Congress to make thorough and ex-
haustve investigation of charges, made
not only by democrats but also by republi-
cans themselves, Metropolitan press, great
and small, opened with simultaneous yelp
in condemnation of the project, and assailed
him with ridicule and vituperation.
Whether the subject is ever officially inves-
tigated, or is permitted to slumber on IN
rebuked by Congressional action, it is very
certain that the people have heard too
much and the evidence already presented is
too direct and positive to be forgotten or
overlooked. 1t may be deemed polite and
best to acquesce in the result, and to per.
NIT Mr.. Hayes to retain the presidential
Office to the close of his term, but most
assuredly the people of this country
are not yet so lost to all sense OF right and
justice as to pass over the alleged iniquity
for all time; in some form or other the par.
ties to the conspiracy will be called to an
account, and a settlement demanded of q
character that cannot be resisted. Mr.
Blair may be mistaken in thinking the time
has already arrived, but there are millions
of the lawful voters of this county who fee
an equal anxiety with him to have thu
truth and the whole truth made public anC
known TO all the inhabitants of the coun
try. The statement which he makes il
justification of bis present movement i.
weighty, aad deserves more honest and
candid consideration than the Press gener'
ally has seen fit to bestow. A Washington
correspondent of the Herald reports him al
saying;
The resolution was not the result Of sud
den thought. L never supposed that tn
people could acquiesce in the fraud commit
ted when it was accomplished in so noto
rious and open manner. When the pres
dent is put in such position it is not pos
sibe to avoid confesslng it. What W. I
Chandler said about the circumstance
under which the Louisiana and Florid
fraudulent returns were procured prove
itself, for although Chandler was
particepS scriD1iRiS in the transaction a
the circumstances attending it verify VIII
he now says. 1t is absolutely incredib
that Packard, Kellogg, and their associat
IN the conspiracy in Louisiana could ha'
consented TO commit the crime, which tn,
did commit there, without the expire
guarantee of Mr.. Sherman, who was pre-
ent aiding aud assisting, that they won
be sustained by the president, whom
represented and to whose benefit Il
crime was to inure. And the fact tn
Mr.. Hayes Ohio attorney general repr
rented him in Florida is also convinc
proof that the conspirators there b
some direct assurance that the preside
would stand by them. And so in Sou
Carolina. Look at the circumstances a.
remember that these men were all of
famous character. 1t is impossible to su
pose that they perpetrated the crime tn
did except upon the most explicit assure
ces that they would be benefited by
Hayes conduct in appointing some
them to office, after they had been turn
out Of others to which they claimed
have been elected, is recognition of |
obligation to them.
TIE BRowN-LAMAR MATTHEW'S FosT
BARGAIN.
Then as respecting the circumstanC
under which he was compelled to bre
with them. We have the testimony
John Young Brown, who participated
it, and be says there was an agreeme
entered into in writing between himse
Mr.. Lamar and others on one side, a
Messrs. Matthews and Foster on the D;
of the president. l was at that til
editor of the Washington Union, and b
charged as early as the l4th of Decent
that the president elect had been sold
the party of which Brown and Lau
were members, and who were the rec
nized supporters of the Texas Pac
railroad subsidy; but they were in L
awkward predicament after the failure
the Electoral Commission, when there v
not time to complete the count as requil
by that law, and it became necessary
vote Hayes in. In defiance of it they Ii
were Obliged m have ascuropnao g.