Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-05-25
THE POTTER MOVEMENT.


After much iillibusterng or the part oil
the Republicans, the Democrats in the
Lower House Of Congress succeeded in
securing a quorum last Friday, after
locking the doors and having tire Sergeant
at Arms drum up the absentees. This
being secured the Potter resolution was
passed by strict party vote. In view Of
the great danger which seems imminent
from this one-sided party action, the
Republican Congressional Committee has
issued the following address:
To the voters of the United States
The Democratic House of Representatives
has by party vote, adopted IA resolution
which, under the pretense Of an invcsti-
cation, is to lay the foundation for the
revolutionary expulsion OF the President
from his office. This is the elimination
Of plot which has been on foot from the
day that Hayes and Wheeler were
consttutionally declared elected. 1t made
Its first public appearance IN resolution
OF the last Democratic House, adopted at
the close of the session, declaring that
Tilden and Hendricks was elected. Tilden
and Hendricks subsequently made similar
public declarations themselves. A few
timid members have long held back, and
some of them, after being coerced to #
final vote, still pretend that they Will halt
az soon as their partial and one sided
investigation shall be ended. In other
words, they intend, after hearing the
suborned evidence, to bring in a verdict
that Hayes Is a usurper. and that he shall
not remain in Office. These men have no
control in the Democratic party. They
dared not even follow Alexander II.
Stephens IN unit against caucus d,ctation
to the extent of showing some semblance
of fair play. They viii be as impotent
in the future rs they have been in the
past. Moreover, it is difficult to believe
in their sincerity, in view OF the public
avowal of their party that its purpose is,
if possible, to displace the president. 1t
is matter Of history that the resolution
just adopted was framed to express this
object. The Speaker OF the House was
consulted in advance as to whether he
would rule that it was privileged
question. The party managers were
anxious to conceal their purposes if
possible. In this they we're defeated by
the Speaker, who would not rule it Il
assailed the title of the President. The
resolution being offered, he read care
fully prepared opinion, deciding it TO be n
question of the highest privilege, because
it involved the question Of tho validity of
Hayes title. Upon
this the Republicans commenced n
struggle against the revolutionary scheme,
which, after five days duration, has
terminated in the success of the conspir-
ators. The Republicans offered to favor
the fullest investigation into all alleged
frauds, by whichever party charged to
have been committed, but the Democracy
pursued its course, shamelessly and
relentlessly, and stided all inquiry into
attempts ut bribery in Oregon, South
Carolina and Louisiana, and murder and
violence in several Of the States. Neither
amendment nor debate was allowed. The
ineXorable previous question was applied
and enforced. This scheme, il pursued,
and it is now fully inaugurated can only
have the effect of further paralyzing
business of sll kinds preventing the
restoration of confidence which seemed
promising; casting a gloom over every
household. and bringing our nation intC
reproach before the civilized world, The
peace Of the country is the first cons sidera-
ton of patriots. This new effort Of the
Democracy to inaugurate anarchy and
Mexicanize the Government by throwing
doubts upon the legitimacy of the title Of
the President, is in keeping with the
record Of that party, one wing of which
rebelled against the Government, While
the other wing gave them aid and com
fort.
We call, therefore, upon all who
opposed the rebellion Of 1861, without
distinction Of party, to rally again to the
support OF law, order and stable govern
ment, and to overwhelm with defeat the
reckless agitators, who, to gain political
power, would add TO the present distress
OF the country by shaking the toundations
of the Government which they failed in
Il tour years war to destroy.
BY unanimous order Of the committee.
EUGENE HALE, Chairman.
GEO. G. GORHAM, Secretary.