The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-11-20
what Does This Mean:
Washington Post 9th.
THE CASE AS 1T STA NDS

THE CASE AS 1T STANDS.
, The majority i'm the State Of New
York for the Garfield Electoral ticket
as shown on the face of the returns
is less than twenty thousand. 1t is
highly probable that thirty thousand
illegal ballots were cast for it in the
three cities of New York, Brooklyn
and Buffalo.
1t is also highly probable that be-
tween ten and twenty thousand votes
were openly purchased for the Gar
field ticket in the two cities of Brook lyn
and New York, and that large pro-
portion of the cases can be proven.
AS the Electoral vote of the Stale
Of New York determines the Presi-
Dental contest, General Garfield will,
if he receives it, owe his place to Il
stupendOus, systematized fraud
Fraud and corruption can more
surely destroy a republican form of
government and subvert the will of
the people than force. Force, to be
effective, must be visible, and is sure
to be instantly confronted by an
equally powerful opposition but cor
ruptiOn works unseen and cannot be
withstoOd.
The only remedy against corruption,
the purchase, abstraction or fraudu-
lent change of votes, is to reject its
results. 1t is the interest of every
honest elector-Republican or Demo-
crat-that this shou'd be done. 1t is
the interest of every living man en-
titled to a vote that only the legal
and unbought votes cast in New York
on the second day of November should
be counted.
A thorough ascertanment and true
exhibit of the will of the electors of
only desired but demanded by both
parties. If one or thirty thousand
purchased or fraudulent votes have
been counted they should be thrown
out regardless of consequences.
The country looks to the Democratic
National and New York State and
city authorities to begin the investiga-
ton at once. 1t must be thorough,
open and conclusive.
There are honest men enough in
the United States who voted for both
Garfield and Hancock to inauguratc
the man who was honestly elected,
and there are not dishonest men
enough to prevent it.
The charges must be either proven
or withdrawn. General Garfield must |
go into the White House with an hon
est majority behind him or not at all.
S0$
The Times, Republican newspaper
printed in the city of New York, |
states that number of gentlemen of
both political parties, propose to
raise fund for the support of the
oldest living ex-President This is
intended for the present
benefit of General Grant, although
the scheme, as stated in the Times, is
to apply to every citizen who may
hereafter be, ut any time, the Oldest
ax-incumbent of the Chief Magstracy.
Well, if number of gentleman desire
10 establish fund, on their own re-
,ponsbility and merely as private cit
zeHs, for the purpose named or for
my other benevolent or charitable oh.
ect, there can be no objection to their
loing so. 1t will be entirely their
,wn affair, and adverse criticism is
not in order. But let it not be herald
I'll as a National enterprise. There
AN be no Governmental recognition
If any such official as "retired Pres
dent" When Presidents term eX-
,ires he becomes Il private citizen, !
md there is nothing in our theory
hat suppOses him TO be too dignilied or
90 sacred to engage in any reputable
alling. If our practice is not in ac'
ord with this idea, it should he
amended.