The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-02-14
The VindicatiOn of Mr.. Tilden.

lHe tinulcatlOH OI MI. Illuens
The investigation of the secret dispatches
which passed between prominent Democrats
North and South during the Electoral
count, was urged by the Republicans with
the expectation that disclosures would be
made that would crush Mr.. Tilden. Instead
of that, the fact has been established conclu-
sively that Mr.. Tiden was no party to any
arrangement looking to the purchase of that
which was his by the decision of the Ameri-
can people, namely, the Presidency. 1t is a
trait of human nature that suggestions of
corruption in regard to public men are readi-
ly listened to. Even if not believed they
leave painful doubt in many minds Such
was the case when the Tribune published
number of secret dispatches which seemed to
prove that Mr.. Tildens closest personal and
political friends had been engaged in corrupt
ly bargaining with Southern Returning
dsin his behalf. Many people feared that
MIR. Tilden himself was party to these tran
sactions. The investigation has dispelled
every doubt resting upon his character, and
people of the country. If he really desires
the next Democratic nomination for the
Presidency, the Republicans have given him
great assistance by publishing the cipher dis
patches.
The investigation shows positively that the
votes OF South Carolina and Florida, which
rightfully belonged to Mr.. Tilden, we're with
held and offered to his friends for money. As
soon as he found out that such m arrange
ment was contemplated, he Immediately or
dered the negotiations to cease
In the case of South Carolina, Mr. Weed
says that the vote of the State was offered for
$4,000 or $4,000. Col. Pelton, Mr.. Tilden's
nephew, promised to furnish the money, and
accordingly it was arranged that the money
should be paid over in Baltimore. Weed
came on from South Carolina with one
Hardy Soloman, the agent of the Returning
Board. Instead of handing over the money,
Pelton informed Weed and Soloman that Mr.,
Tilden had heard Of the contemplated trans.
action and would not allow it TO proceed-
IVA Ao"io "itoi "hiuS Tue vote OF South
Carolina was cast for Hayes, The votes were
offered for sale. They were not bought bv
the Democrats. 1t is curious fact that since
Mr.. Hayes came into Office nearly every man
in South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida who
had anything to do with counting him in has
been appointed to office Such wholesale
appointments to office are not seen in the case
OF electors in States in which Mr.. Uoves,
majority was unquestioned. The investipo-
tion proves that the Democrats did not buy
these votes, and the subsequent course of Mr..
hayes makes it morally certain that the Re.
publicans did. ltshould be borne in mind that
these dispatches first came into Republican
hands, The Republican dispatches were de-
stroyed and the Democratic dispatches pre-
served and published. That may account
Tor the eagar desire of the Tribune that the
investigation should be made
Mr.. Tilden himself was examined betore tbo
committee last Saturday. He testified explic.
lily and particularly that he never saw or
heard OF or suspected the existence of the
cipher dispatches published by the Tribune,
until their publication; that no negotiations
Tor the votes of Florida or South Carolina
were undertaken with his authority, sanction
or knowledge; that the first he heard of tho
south Carolina transaction was Mr.. Cooper's
communication to him of Pelton's disnotcb
from Baltimore, asking for $50, 900 or $50 900,
and that he then Immediately ordered TINT
proceeding stopped and Pelton home. He
knew nothing of the proffer of Florida's vote
VII the whole matter was long passed, when
Mr. Marble mentioned as a bygone affair that
mere had been such prefer and that it had
been declined. "Idecare before God and nv
country" he said, "it is my entire belief that
The vote and the certificates of South Caro-.
lima, of Florida and of Louisiana were boucht.
mat The Presidency was bought. Peltons
act was an inchoate offense, but on the other
size the act which was done was a completed
ana consummated fraud, and the possession
OF the Presidency of the United States WINS
given to man who was not elected. Iwould
scorn and condemn my righteous title if thc
democratic party had secured my seat by
fraud"
The investigation has made Samuel J
lIIden once more the foremost man in the
Democratic party. If he desires the nomln.
alton again we do not believe he can he de
ieated; andif nominated we believe further
That the American people will again elect him
Tie next lime he is.eected he will take his
seat