The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-11-09
The Presidency.


The Democratic national committee
asserts boldly that frauds were committed
in New York in the interest of the Repub-
lican party to an enormous extent; that In
New York city alone over $4,000 illegal
votes were cast; that half that number
were deposited illegally in Brooklyn, and
that the border counties polled o large
fraudulent vote for the Republican party
candidates. The Democratic. COMMITTEE
through Mr.. Barnum, chairman, do not
propose to allow these fraudulent votes to
be counted for Garfield and Arthur, II
legal means can prevent, wheregpon the
Republican press set up great hue and
cry of conspiracy" Our Republicaa
opponents are possessed of very short
memories or are conveniently forgetfui OF
the events which happened four years ago.
At that time il was known that
Samuel J. Tildsn was lawfully
elected president of the United
States. and yet by crime unprecedented
in history. he was deliberately counted out
by a Republican returning board. under
pay of Republican leaders. and thus the
people were defrauded of their choice.
The people submitted 10 the outrage a.
that time, but it was then resolved tha'
the president elected ia 1880, must be
able to show 9 clear and undisputed title
or he could not take his seat. This re.
solve is in the nature of determination.
and the Republicans who are so greatly
exercised over the investigation of alleged
frauds in New York, need not be so self
righteous, they had better reflect over
their own course in 1876. Then they
denied even an inquiry, but deliberately
stole the presidency and relied on the army
and the goVernm ent patronage to hold the
fort.
The Republicans profess 20 be fearful
of Democratic conspiracy; that the Dem
ocrats will, because Democratic majority
obtains in the present Congress. overturn,
a lawful majority. if such exists, for Gar
field, and declare Hancock elected, whether
he be lawfully 30 or not The fear is
groundess. and will never be realized.
IF the Investigation now in progress in
New York and Connections shall prove
that Republican frauds were practiced to
the extent claimed, and as a result the
present ascertained majorities for Garfield
be legally set aside, and Gen. Hancock
be legally declared entitled to the electoral
votes of those states by the proper legal
tribunal, then will Gen. Hancock be in
augurated, but not otherwise,
There will be no conspiracy consumnat-
ed-no dire plot to steal the presidency on
the part of the Democracy. Nothing but
q fair investigation, and the legal results
which may follow, will be embraced in the
Democratic programme.
This is not conspiracy-it is simple JUS
tice. and the Republican press and leaders
commit grave error in opposing an in-
vestigation of fraud, if any exist, as the
outcome, if favorable to the Republicans,
will strengthen their party, and give addi-
tional tone to che administration.
IF. after full and fair investigation. the
returns prove that Garfield was honestly
elected on Tuesday. Nov. 2. he will be
inaugurated. but If the contrary be proven
he will not be inaugurated. That is all
the conspiracy" which exists ut present.
and if the investigation of fraud. and the
remedy for wrong through legal tribunals
is conspiracy" then justice is farce
and free government q myth.
Of one thing the Republican managers
can rest assured, that Gen. Hancock vii
not allow himself TO be used by politicians
for purpose, but on the other hand. il
the proper legal tribunal shall declare
him elected. he is not the man to shrink
from duty.