Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-10-19
Letter from New York.
The Cipher Dispaiches-A Tremendous RrplO-
sion-Th: Democratic Parry Unscdthed.
New YORK, October IA, 1873.

Tile Cipher Dispatches-A Tremendous RrplO-
sion-Th: Democratic Parry Unscathed.
New YORK, October a. 1873.
MEssRs EDIroRs: Tue great topic in all
circles here during the past week has been the
Cipher Dispatches from snd to Florida during
the fierce DAYS Of the Presidential count in the
winter of 1876. The New York Tribune,
which used to blow the Tilden iUg-Norn IN "A
10, aud even 50 late as the early part OF ~,
aud which did more than any other paper TO
identify the name of Mr.. TilGen with the cause
of reform by It's repeated aud aggressive ASST
RANGES to tiie public that IN the whole field OF
American statesmen, Democratic aud Repub-
lican, Samuel j. l'lden was clearly the high
priest OF honesty in government aud purity IN
politics this furious champion of Tilden
now links the name of its former hero with
scheme of bribery and corruption only second
in turpitude to the Republican crime of steal
ing tue Presidency. But apart from the con-
duet of the Tribune as a leader Of the people,
4 the revelations which those cipher dispatches
seem to make are utterly astounding aud dis
/ graceful. That the man whom the Democrat
| ic party elected to the Presidency on the rally
/ cry of reform should hir1sef be discovered in
I
defes belief II, however, the translation Of
the cipher dispatches given by the Tribune Of
the 9Th instant is correct, the effect will surely
be to retire Mr.. Tlldeu for the future from the
couacis of the Democratic party. lie has not
said word yet in contradiction, and Marble,
his chosen Florida lieutenant, who is charged
with sending the dispatch to Gramercy fark
to know whether the $4,000 demanded by a
Returning Board huckster should be given and
received an affirmative answer, has not said a
word Of denial, though urged by leading Dem
ocrats to give answer, il answer he can make
The affair has a bad look
There was much ingenuity displayed in de-
cipherng the pick pocket dispatches. Poe,
when he wrote the Gold Bug. showed hardly
greater talent in thai direction than the ITi-
June man on this occasion. Take the worst
view of the case in party sense, and it will
not hurt anybody but those Immediately con-
cerued. The Democratic party believed Mr..
Tilden to be reforner, or they would not
have made him their standard-bearer. That
is certain Same few fearless men in New
York sounded tie note of warning, but then
they knew the man better than the leaders OF
the Democracy throughout the country did
for until bis nomination frr the Presidency he
was not known nationally |, he turns out to
have bcen a sham relJrmer all the time, the
mistake made was an honest one. The editor
# the New York Tribune did more than any
body else in the country to perselie people OF
Tldeu honesty.
We have a goodly number Of pure states
meu in the party who have no log hdrrs II
blow, aud who don't understand the ar Of the
trumpet. Hendricks. Bayarl, Thurman. Ew-
M. Kelly, Abbott, Hampton, Stephens and
other, are still left u lead the party cohorts ia
the future to victory unstaiued 10y dishonor
aud uucouumua'ed by cowardly surrender
Yours &c,
PETER PuRCUPiNE, JR.
The Presidential Party at Winchester was
we understand composed of President auo
Mrs. Hayes, and Mr.. Webb Hayes Secretary
Richard Thompson. Gen' aud Ms. Hastings
Mrs Gru1 WnittIescy aud Mr Charles Whit
tle,ey
- Co.