Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-27
The Fraud" SADIE,

=
appear to be. None know better than the
prime movers in these pretended revela-
tons of fraud" that they cannot affect
the Presidential title. That is secure
and they know it. furthermore, they
don't wish to disturb President Hayes in
his seat
The "true inwardnessn of the fraud
movement does not relate to the past but
to the future. 1t is not designed to un-
horse Hayes but 10 secure the democratic
nomination in 1880 for Samuel j. Tilden.
democrats more than republicans. OF
course it will have every appearance pos
sible of real attack upon the title OF the
President, else it would not answer its
purpose. Hence Mr. Blair's fraud resolves
and the placing of them before Congress
with due form and solemnitv; also the
statements coming up from Florida pre-
tending to unveil fraudulent practices by
which that State was carried for Hayes !;
and finally the long winded double-leaded
editorials with which the Tilden organs
bray of the great injustice done him by
the Electoral Commission and what ought
to be done to prevent the repetition OF
such an alleged fraud and outrage.
Now, whoever looks behind the scenes
in this democratic performance, will find
Mr.. Tilden actively engaged there, pull
ing the wires, directing and managing the
whole thing, not with the expectation Of
unseating President llayes-for he knows
too much for that-but with the fixed res
lutte purpose of bringing about his own
nomination as the next democratic candi-
date for the Presidency of the United
States. OF course if he can succeed in
impressing it upon the democratic party
that he was cheated out of the Presidency
in the last election. be will at the same
time fix the idea in their minds that they
ought as matter OF justice and policy to
nominate him again and elect him if they
can. If they pass him by and take up
another candidate they by this virtually
declare the fraud cry humbug. If they
nominate him they are consistent with the
fraud theory and the sentiments of those
who believe in stamping the fraud in
The stamping-in process will not amount
to much it Mr.. Tilden is notified by his
party to keep in the rear in the next cam
paign.
But the democratic party is divided
about Mr.. Tiden and the fraud. He has
powerful friends, bar'ls of money, and
large experience and cunning, TO aid him
in organizing on the fraud line, but it is
evident that the influences against him
are sufficient to make his struggle for
power in the organization doubtful one
And hence while President Hayes may
view with serenity the movements appar-
emily against his title, the democrats are
in trouble in regard TO them, because they
ranks. As an evidence of the division
existing in New York. we copy the fol-
lowing from an editorial in the New
York Star of Thursday. democratic pa
per of that city:
at is remarkable that Just at the time this
bombshel is thrown into the rank of the agitators
their leading organs here, and almost their only
organs are going into commissions over Mr. TIlden
and his "claim'' to the Presidency. The ablest of
ALL the Sun, had yesterday nearly two column
leading and double loaded editorial 10 the stereo.
typed strain on the "grsve question" The World,
which changes as the chameleon does, whenever
anybody can be found foolish enough to buy its
opinions, has lately followed the sun, in weak
sort of way, as the lesser organ of the grea,
Counted Out to fire the public mind on the "Pres-
dential fraud" Outside of this city there are
not probably, more than two or three newspapers
that counteDance the fraud upon fraud movement
the Tilden fraud upon the Hayes fraud-nclud-
ing Tilden organ across the East river called
the Brooklyn Eagle. People uninitated in the
my steries OF journalism and political movements
may wonder why two or three newspapers set them
selves up to antagonize the opinion of the whole
country and its representatives in Congress. For
their benefit we will explain the matter, though
it is well understood by the press here and by pol
itcans geserslly. First, we may remark that this
Tilden agitation is confined to New Y ork, except
10 the case of Montgomery Blair and few other
erratc or trading politicians, who have the
chronic instinct Of opposing everything
that does not accord with their notions, Or
does not bring grist to their mills
Apart from these lncurabe mOnOmaniacs or
schemers, the movement obtains its vitality, small
q. that is, from animosity Of faction in this
State, and especially in this metropolis. MI Til.
den hates the regular democratic organization
here because il did not favor his nomination at
st. Louis, Notwithstanding the splendid work ii
did, and the enormous msjority it rolled up for
him in the Presidential election, and he has en-
tered into crusade, in combination with the pur-
chasabe press and a certain set of disreputabe
and trading city politicians to fight those who ory
represent tht democracy. lie has the presump-
ton to believe he can overthrow the regular dem
ocratic organization, and to create new one out
Of the disorganizing and vilest political ele.
ments in the city, and does not hesitate
to ayow bis purpose. 1t is known
that be is spending money lavishy on the
press fos the purpose. Ambitious and short-sight-
ed editors, whom he courts assiduously foolishy
imagine be can yet be made President and they
will obtain very high positions in the Government
Our readers will see, then, when and where only
is the strength of the Tden movemeut-will see
that il is only in & designating faction and two
OF three trading newspapers in this metropolis
OF this State as stepping stone to another nomi-
nation for the Presidency. At all events, it is
generally understood that the Electoral Commis.
sion fraud" agitation is intended 70 keep him
prominently before the public"
1t is quite probable that the Tilden
and anti-Tiden fight may make its an