The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-22
ZOE PRESIDENT IN 1880
The Hon. Montgomery blair Relieves that
the Democracy will stand by Tilden.

cOnversation, ana could not properly Do
mado public. But although they would in
torcst tho public because used by lead
ing motor in the surrender oil tho election
of 1876. and would expose tho false pretonco
upon which tho Electoral bill was passed by
which that WAS done, they are not at all nceoe-
sary to substantiate that fact. No ono who will
consider the facts now before the public, how
ever reluctant to como to that conclusion, can
fail to 500 that II was not, rs pretended, that
war was npprehonded from adherence by Demo-
Gratis to the constitutional mode OF counting the
electoral vote. that they abandoned II, and al
lowed 1t to be done by a Radical Com omission !;
but simply because the jobbing and rival politi-
cal interests In tho Democratic party, which
had combined to prevent Mr.. Tiden's nomina-
ton. believed that those interests would be pro-
NOTED by COOPERATION with the Radicals in set
ting aside the election.
Nor is it necessary TO group all tho circum-
stances bearing upon 1t, " substantiane this
position. 1t is only necessary TO recall so1no
OF tho circumstances attending tho trans
action and to point to tho subsequent conduct
and present attitude of some Of tho chief act
ors in it.
When. on the day aftor tho election. and after
MIR. Hayes had publicly admitted his defeat,
Mr.. Zach. Chandler ordered false returns to be
fabricated in Louisiana, Florida. and South
Carolina, to count him in, tho Democrats with
ono voice declared that II would be the duty OF
tho House Of Representatives to exclude these
returns from tho count Mr.. Tildcn. TO strength
en- tho hands Of tho Democrats in the House in
carrying out the will OF the party. prepared
with elaborate care from tho records n complete
history OF tho proceedings Of Congress In count
ing the electoral vote. showing that the House
had repeatedly exercised this power and that
1t WAS expressly affirmed by the twenty second
Joint rule Of the two Houses. Chambers order.
and the purpose manifested by his class Of
politicians to hold on to the Government in
virtue Of the frauds TO be perpetrated under it,
created much excitement; and there wns some
talk. Ivy irrepressbc persons. OF meeting the
attempt with force. ButMr Tilden. tho chosen
leader OF the party. and President-eloct. and
therefore entitled to indicate the plan OF action
TO DO pursued to consummate the purpose Of
tho people to make him President. discounto-
nanccd this. Ho dtssented evon from tho pro-
posal to hold simultaneous meetings through
out the country. desiring 10 have the question
settled by tho proper authorities. FREQ from
excitement and upon tho facts and according
to the precedents he had prepared and sub
mittcd to them. And this policy was accepted
by the party.
The meetings were not held. and II was impos-
sibo for the Democratic Senators and Repre-
sentativcs not TO understand that IL required
them 10 abstain from any word or act calculated
TO create excitement or provoke violence. but 10
adhere TO the precedents and firmly assert tho
rights of the House OF Representatives; and Mr..
Randall on takine his seat as Speaker OF tho
House at the opening OF the session in Deem
Der. 1876 gave voice to this universal feeling Of
the party But within six weeks they had re-
eolvcd to disregard tho policy they were re-
quired to follow by their constituents and by
the Constitution. and the settled usage under IL.
rs shown by tho volume prepared and submit
ted to them by their party leader. on the ground
that IL this policy were followed il would lead
to war; The sole ground upon which this pre-
tencc was based was the assumption that in
case the House should assert its right to exclude
the fraudulent votes from the count tho Senate
would claim for its presiding officer the right
TO count the vote: that he would count Hayes in.
while the House would declare Tilden Prcsl-
dent; that there would be two persons claiming
tho Office. and conflict Of arms would ensuc
between their partsans.
The Senate had taken no action 10 warrant
this assumption. Nothing could be more i'm
probable than that that body would put itself in
tho attitude Of impcrilling tho peace Of the
country by insisting upon the count Of votes
known to every Intelligent man 10 be fraudu-
lent The Republicans in that body were for
tho most part. INSCRIPTIONS pnrtisans. who
readily ayailcd themselves OF their votes when
tho Electoral bill permitted them 10 do 80 with
out making any serious issue with the House.
But If the House exercised its hitherto uuqucs-
toned right TO exclude these votes from tho
count the worst OF these Senators would not
have yentured 10 antagonize II with the novel
prctcnsion OF the right Of the Pres ident Of tho
/ 81.
fraudulent votes counted. and haye imperliled
the peace 81 She country upon tina, issue. And
itwoud have been timo enough for the House
to have yielded when the Senate had committed
itself 60 that position. But the Senate had not
| only not taken any such position. but the con-
spraiors knew. at tho time they surrendered
the election by giving the count 10 the Radical
| Commission, that more than three -fourths OF
| the Senate had al the session Immediately pre-
ceding, committed themselves against the power
| Of the President 10 count the votes aud that
| Senator Conkling. and enough Of his associates
to defeat that pretension. intended to adhere to
that position. and did The Electoral bill itself.
which they were assured of adoption by the
votes Of nearly all Of the Republicans. absolutely
nogatiyod that pretenson.
| These facts demonstrate that the pretext that
war would result unless tho House abdicated its
| Electoral bill. by which this was Effected was
the child Of intrigue Hence. its contrivors con-
ccaled all knowledge of its character from the
| country until II was sprung upon it with a
unanimous report from the Joint Committee
and forced through both Houses in a few DAYS
undor concerted cry that peace depended upon
liz Immediate adoption; and hence oven Mr.
| Iilden himself was not permitted to know any.
thing about 1t until tho party leaders in Con.
gress had resolved to report 1t to the Senate
| within two days and he was then told he would
not be allowed to make any objection to the
substance OF tho measure, but only 10 suggest
amendments as 10 detaisl This Of course. he
declined doing, seeing at a glance that the bill
surrendered the election. and SO he informed tho
members OF the Committee deputcd to submit il
to him. The truth is that the Electoral bill
was not thought of until ii was found that Mr.
Conklng would not allow Hayes to be- made
| President by the President OF the Senate. and
that Tilden's installation WAS assured if tho
constitutional and customary mode OF counting
| the electoral vote was adhered to- 1t had boen
supposed, in the early part OF the session. tina,
| tho Senate would assert the right OF It's Presi-
dent TO count the vote; and Southern men