New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-31
MORE LIGHT.

THE DEMOCRATIC SURRENDER OF 1876.
THE TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE PROPOSITION
DIsPAICH-A NEW ELECTION SUGGESTED.
One by one the tangled threads Of the political
history of the last Presidential contest-including
the bargains and the intTigues the attempts to buy
and the propositions to sell which took place after
the voting was over--are unrayeled for the profit
and amusement of the American people. The latest
contribution was that made by THE TRIBUSE yes
terday, in the publication of the following dispatch
sent to Governor Tilden from New-0rleans just one
NEw-ORLEANs Nov. Id, &c.
Hon. S. ]. TnDEN, 10 Creamery Park:
After full survey of the situation here, urgently
recommend that you make at once 10 Governor hayes
the proposition hitherto communicated TO you.
sANL J. RANDALL
l. @. c. LAMAR
HENRY WATTERsoN.
Oswald OTTESDoRFER
What sort of a proposition Mr. Tilden could posi-
bly, make to Governor Hayes just at that time Is a
question that has puzzled the politicians. The re-
suit of the election was not then known, although
the partisans on both sides believed that they had
won and each claimed the victory in the most posi-
tive manner. Neither Mr. Hayes nor Mr.. Iilden
could elect himself and the only proper thing for
either to do TO sit still and listen for the voice
of the people. The few weeks that followed the
uncertainties, were more than any other period in
the whole Presidential struggle, inopportune for
propositions" of any kind from one of the Presi-
dental candidates to the other
II turns out that the proposition wkich these
four eminent Democratic statesmen urgenty' re-
commended Governor Tilden to make to Governor
HAYES was really very important one, not only in
itself but also in its possible effects upon the future
of the two great political parties 1t was nothing
less than that both Presidential candidates should
Withdraw OF decline to accept the Office and should
Join in requesting Congress to provide for new
election The proposition was never made TO Gov
ernor Hayes, probably because no one could do 1t
except Governor Tilden himself, and he was pretty
careful not to let anybody know, just at that tme
what course he thought it wise to pursue.
The plan Of holding a new election was more
than once proposed during the four months succeed
ing the election of 1876. and was advocated by
several influential Democrats, chief among whom
WAS Mr. Abrsm S. Hewitt, chairman of the Demo
cratic National Committee. but it has not been
known before that it was proposed 80 early in the
controversy or that it was supported by such men
as signed the dispatch Of November H. 1876. Ii Is
news also that Governor Tilden was ever advised
70 take the initiative in such movement as this.
"Of COURSE" said leading Democrat, yesterday,
who WAS in the secrets OF his party in 1876; " OF
course we expected that if new election was held
Mr.. Tlden would be easily elected. The popular
opinion at that time that he had succeeded and
that feeling would have made his second race an
easy one. The plan was frequently discussed, as
many OthGrs were at that time, but nothing ever
came of il. Republicans who were approached
ON TN, subjoct would not listen to any
sncb arrangements and a majority of the business
men in The Democratic party were afraid that to
continue the political agitation would be ruinons
So the whole matter was dropped. Our theory was
that, no matter which way the questions then at Is
sue were decided the party that was defeated would
be dissatisfied and that it would be better to make
another trial."
And 30 Governor Tilden never telegraphed TO Gov
or. or Hayes Let us call this draw game and
play it over again. OF " best two in three wins"