Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-06
WILL HAYES ABDICATEa

as to the guilt of several of Mr.. Hayes conf
Dental advisers and friends, and the strong
presumption which it raises of guilty
knowledge of the frauds committed on the
part of the acting executive, is having a
notable effect upon public sentiment not
only among the politicians at Washington,
but throughout the country at large. The
electoral inquiry is no longer derided as a
scheme to make political capital or to pre-
cipitate revolution, but is treated by all fair
minded men and newspapers Of both parties
as necessary measure to purge the country
OF the mass of corruption that has accumu-
lated and lay fostering like an ulcer in our
body polite. It is but justice to say
that few who at first opposed the inquiry
had any adequate conception of the magni-
tude of the crime that resulted in the inaug-
uration of Mr.. Hayes, and their opposition
mony adduced would be but rehash of the
old stories that have obtained currency dur
ing the past eighteen months, the paternity
of which no one knew. The evidence of
Anderson, however, fortified as it was by a
formidable array Of documentary proof, has
shown that the full depth Of the infamy has
never been reached, and if we are to believe
the somewhat vague hints that proceed from
the committee rooms, there is yet mass of
new and cumulative evidence in reserve that
will startle the country from end to end.
The fostering sore having now been bro
ken, it is agreed by all honest men that it
should be probed to the bottom, and the en-
tire mass of corruption driven out, and if it
shall be shown that any public officer has
been guilty of the crimes imputed to him,
such storm of public Indignation will arise
as to drive him from the place he disgraces
by his presence. No prevarication can save
him from the punishment which an outraged
public sentiment shall demand.
It is already intimated in political circles
at Washington that Mr.. Hayes, being satisfied
of the truth of Anderson's statements, will
not wait the conclusion of tho investigation,
but will at once flee from the White House
to avoid the hurricane that is about to over
take him. These rumors have already
alarmed the Democrats. and they are doing
all in their power to keep him where he il
until the testimony is all in, and the proper
legal steps can be taken to impeach and try
him for the crime of the fruits of which he
was partaker, if he did not actually partici.
pate in its commission. The trepidation OF
Mi. Hayes is not fancy. It is even now
observable in his frantic efforts to clear his
skirts, and the endeavors of his personal
friends to suppress OF explain facts that may
be damaging to his record, even at the sacri
fee of such men as Sherman and Matthews
But it is questionable if the people of the
country will he satisfied with any such vica.
rious sacrifice. Sherman and Matthews have
sins enough of their own to answer for with
out shouldering those of Hayes, and they
as we'll as he, are marked for the execution.
er's block.
But assuming that Mr.. Hayes is, as he
claims, innocent of any participation in o.
knowledge of the means employed to gai1
for him the electoral vote of Louisiana
what other course is open to him but abdi
cation? When convinced that he holds the
Presidency by virtue of fraud can he claim
to be an honest man or true Republican
and yet retain his seat? If he should do 81
his memory would descend to posterity be
meath load of obloquy, followed by tn
excavations of the entire people. If the in
quiry now in progress shall develop tn
promised facts-if Anderson's testimon,
shall be fully corroborated by other witnesse
there will be no other recourse left, and MI
Hayes should at once resign his seat at tn,
head of the government and retire to privat
| life-a life more honorable and caree
more honored than would be century on
throne to which he had no legal Or mora
right.