The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-12-26
A New Way TO Steal the Presidency.

The following letter from the Washington
correspondent of the New York sun, in re-
ference to the Republican scheme Of ap-
pointing Presidential electors by Republican
Legislatures, should and no doubt will com
mand serious attention
wAsurNaroS Dec. Ie-There IS no doubt that
the extreme radical leaders among the RepubIi-
cans seriously contemplating a change ia the
mode Of intfnR Presidential electors not only
in New York but in several other States where
the result al the polls next fall ixht be doubtful
The states particularly spoken OF I'm addition 10
New York are Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio,
Colorado. Nevada. california, and Oregon.
1t is understood that the Republicans VIII con-
and thoug h New Jersey and oregon have Demo
cratic Governors. who will hold through the com
law will prevent any obstruction OF their
plans by the Executive OF any state.
The Federal Constitution coniers full power
ment o. Presidential electors. But Congress has
passed law directing that they sha u be appoin =
ed in all the States on the tuesday next after the
f1rst Monday Of November and that they shall
cast their voter on the hrst Wednesday Of Decem-
ber This Is all the Congressonal lesislation
there iS he On the subject. II any State
Legislature should, at its approaching session,
take the appointment from the people and confer
Il upon Itself the law for this purpose would pro.
vide for .he a.semoling Of the Legislature on the
day in November fixed by Congress for the ap-
pointing OF the electors.
Ifanybody should ask whether the Republican
party would dare 10 do this in the doubtful states
, aboye mentioned he may and his answer IN the
character and history OF hat party. The stake
would be the Presidency and Vice Presidency
The alleged excuse tor this extraordinary meas
ure would he the charge that the Democrats in
most of the southern states will resort to intini-
dRtion and force 10 prevent the Republicans from
voting in those States, snd therefore the Republi-
cans OF The North justified in using all legal
and constitutional means for cuuntc-balancing the
unjust course Of the Democrats OF the South.
The Republican party was originally made up
I OF the most radical elements Of the Whig, the
Democratic. ana the AbolitiOn parties. Its youth
was spent amid the heated agitations that sprang
out otthe slavery question. In its early maturity
! It conducted one OF the greatest wars of modern
times. Upon IL devulved the reconstruction OF tue
Uuion amid commissions tha; had 10 precedent in
our history. The first ffteen turbulent years of
ltS existence brought into its ranks large share
t OF the young. hot blood OF the country. When
Grant was first elected Il had become accustomed
+ TO deal with great questions, and to get along
Ing too careful regard 60 the Constitution 1t
thus grew to be very bold. aggressive and some
what interruptions party. and, upon the whole.
perhaps the most skilliully handled party which
the country ever saw. During all this time and
down to the present day IL has never tor one mo-
nent feared the Democratic party, but. on the
. contrary. has rather ieercd at its timidity and
despised its methods and has ever stool ready to
take IL by hc throat, as il did at the close OF the
I last Presidential election.
Hence, ought any close observer OF the events Of
the past fweBty years to doubt that the RepubIi-
cans viii change the mode OF appointing electors
in six eight States, f they can thereby secure
the Presidency As TO any rocoil from this bold
step. the advocates OF this Iine of policy point 10
the fac that the next Will considerably re.
duce the power Of the Southern States in the
Electoral COLLEGES. while at the same Time in
creasing that OF the States in the West and
Northwest. where lie the strong holds Of the Re.
publican party.