Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-06-21
PIECE or SECRET HISTORY.

PIECE OF SECRET HISTORY.
How the Electoral Count was Secured.--
Agency of Senator Hill and FOrty.TWO
Ex.COnlederate Representatiyes--.A
Voluntary Pledge Among Themselves
to Oppose All Attempts to Frustra'e
the Count.
New York Times.
Ben. Hill. Of Georgia, made some
highly interesting statements to-day re-
specting the most important events
that transpired during the session OF
tho electoral commission, and which
throw new light upon the history OF that
critical period. Senator Hill said:
81 am now about to reveal to you The
dim outlines Of what will some day
form ono Of the most patriotic pages ~
American history, and after ] conclude
INV brief narrative you will know ust
how much influence this so-callcd
Wormly conference had in affecting the
result Of the electoral count. When
the decision ofthe electoral commission
in the Florida case became known, be-
came satisfied that the disputed states
would be decided in favor Of Hayes, and
that the issue which would presently
confront M would be the legal lnangur-
alton Of Mr.. Hayes ~ president Or
another revolution. ] consulted with
few ex-eonfcderatcs, all members Of the
house of representatives, and the sltlla-
ton was thoroughly and earnestly dis
cussed. Not to- enter into unnecessary
details, We who had just emerged from
II runous and disastrous war and had
experienced its devastating cllccts-we
cxrebcIs determine to prevent second
civil war and spare the country from
all the terrible horrors that would ut
tend it. Accordingly, forty-two cX-con-
fedcrntes solcmnly pledged themselves
TO each Other upon their sacred honor
to oppose all attempts to Illustrate the
counting of the votes for prcsl-
dent md yice-prcsldcnt We held no
caucus, nor no meeting. ] called upon
each gentleman PERSONALLY and obtained
his signature ton paper that ! presented
to him. We conducted the movement
with the greatest caution, Tor we did not
desire our plans should be even suspect
ed. You may judge how well the Sc
crct was kept when it has remained IN
violate to this day. Having disclosed
these facts, you can now determine
what degree of importance to attach to
the influence exercised by the demo-
cratic members Of the Wormley confer
ence upon the result Of the electoral
count. The forty-two eX-conlederate
congressman had pledged themselves to
abide by the decision of the electoral
commission several weeks before the
Woymley conference took place, so
thnt, despite the sensational rumors that
He'd the mir, toward the close of the
count. there never was the rcmotcst
possibility Of trouble. Wehcld the bal
anco of power, and did not propose to
permit another war if our votes could
prevent it,"
Being asked for his opinion Of the
Potter investigation, Senator Hill said
that he was in favor of cliciting NIL the
facts tending to establish frauds, whcr
over perpclratcd Or by whomsocvcr
committed; hut there it would end.
The presidential title would NOT be dis
turbod, and nothing would be done cN-
ccpt what wa. just and legal. lie, per
sonally, did not believe that President
Hayes WAS in any manner connected
with nny frauds or irregularities. On
the contrary, lie thought he was mn
honest pure and upright man. If
anybody attempts To inaugurnte n re
volution,' snid Senator Hill, in conclu-
sion, "thc ex-rcbcls will put il down.
We will not allow il"