The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-02-20
Roltttca1s
TlLDEN'S TESTIMONY,
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS OF HIS
EVIDENCE MORE FULLY
STATED,
The Character Of His Relations with Colonel
PeltOn.

what he said. II gave the substance,
but did not preserve the form. The full
report Of the testimony and cross'eSami-
nation covers over seven columns OF the
fine type Of the New York Sun. He was
on the stand three hours, and seemed
but little mtigued when the examination
closed, and at once fell into a pleasant
conversation with Congressman Hiscock,
who had mainly conducted the cross
examination. Weadd some parts Of the
testimony from the verbatim report,
which were CLOSED over in the tee-
graphic abstract,
ORDERING PELroN HOME.
After stating the purport Of Mayor
Coooer's visit to him on the 20th Of De.
cember, 1875, which WAS the first inti-
nation he had Of the negotiations with
the South Carolina Republicans Gov,
TIden said
He told me that Colonel Pelton had
received, or was to receive, an offer on
behalf Of somebody representing, or
claiming to represent, the Republican
Canvassers or Board of The State Of South
Carolina, to give certificates to the Dem.
oCratic electors for sum of money. |
Immediately said no such offer should be
entertained no such negotiations of that
nature should be tolerated not a cent of
money should be furnished for any such
D,,I oil, iV,,
mediately be telegraphed to return to
New York.
Mr.. Cooper conCurred with me entire
ly in the measures to be taken. Al
though | took it for granted he would
MAKE all necessary communications |
did not leave it to that.
/ obtained from Mr.. Cooper Colonel
Pelton's address in Baltimore, and caused
to be telegraphed TO Colonel Pelton, inca
preremptOry manner, to return to New
York. Ny dispatch was in ordinary Ian.
guage had no cipher-cOuld not read
q cipher-could not translate cipher,
1t never occurred to me that there was
any reason for conCeaIment My belief
is that that dispatch was sent to Colonel
Pelton in my own name, and think /!
was sent within ten minutes after Mr.
Cooper'B conversation with me. Colonel
Pelton returned that night TO New York
THE VISITING STATESMAN.
Now, one word az to the gentlemen
who were sent South TO the d .sputed
States to watch and guard the canvas on
behalf of the Democratic party. Tne
measure originated with either Mr..
Hewitt or General Grant within a day or
two after the election. think General
Grant wrote letter, in which he brings
up such question. Mr. Hewitt had eli
ther started it before or embraced it i'm |
mediately af er / did not select or send |
gentlemen who went to those States |
With few exceptions they were not Sc
leCted 0r sent after consultation with me, |
l did not attempt 70 supervise their ac-
ton did not communicate with them. |
IN 10 instance during the whole cf this
time, did ever communicate directly or
Indirectly WITH those gentlemen in the
S8rtd on that business. never received
any communication from them. except
one communication signed by Mr.. Ran.
dali, Mr.. Otendorfer, Mr.. Lamar and
Mr.. Watters0n--sOme kWd Of PROPOSE
ton 10 be made to Mr. Hayes by me. I
never answered that dispatch except
verbally 10 Mr. O,tendoI'er after he re
turned and called on me | was very
busy all that time, | took it for granted
that these gentlemen understood their
business aad | did not undertake
to direct them. the idea that they were
my personal agents, in any sense, has no
foundation in fact They we're repre-
sentatves and delegates of The Demo
cratic party, chosen generally by it's or.
ganizations. No man, 10 far az | know,
ever went to any Of those States with
any commission, authority Or contem.
platiou Of doing anything that gentle.
mau ought not to 40, or to do anything
except to defend the interests of the
Democratic party, ard watch and guard
those interests against apprehended
fraud.
CONCLUSION OF HIS DIRECT TESTIMONY.
During all ths time from the 7th day
of November, 1875, that is the day Of the
election, until the 6 day Of Dscsmbef |
of the same year, which was the day on {
which the electors met and cast their i
votes, TO be transmitted to Washington, t
/ maintained a uniform attitude. My q
purpose vas, under no circumstances to &
enter into any competition to obtain the ]
votes or certificates Of the canvassing I
boards OF the disputed States, even those {
to which | believe We we're entitled, ex. /
cept by discussion. argument, reason, q
truth and justice. t
There never was a time, not moment, a
or an instant in which ever entertain. a
ed an idea of seeking to obtain those Ger. '
tiicates by any venal inducement, any O
promise Of money or Office TO the men '
who had them to grant or dispose Of 8
My objec! on this subject was perfectly d
distinct invariably, and was generally v
by all my friends without dis q
cus5ion. 1t may have been sometimes d
expressed. Whenever the slightest oc. a
CasiOn arose for it TO be discussed it WAS v
expressed. 1t was never deviated from a
in word or act.
To the people who, as believe, elect
ed nae President of the United States
TO the four millions and quarter of citi.
zens who gave me their snfrages-I owed g.
a service aud every honorable sacrifice, o
Out the surrender Of ona jot or little OF
my sense Of right or my personal self.
respect, Whatever the disappointment -
Of those who voted for me whatever II
public consequences of suffering or sub.
version Of the electoral system by which
alone free government can be carried on;
oy whatever casuistry different course
night have been advocated or defended. s.
was resolved that if there was to be an II
auction of the Chief Magistracy of my -;
country, would not be among the bid. u
lers. [Applause.] al
The Chairman-The room will be hi
cleared if this applause does not cease. b.
t is expressly understood that there is q
o be no manifestation Of appreciation or -