Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-11-09
THE REMAINING STEPS TO THE
PRESIDENCY.

fhEo1bENN1s
When the results of the Presidential
election were being received, Democrats,
as we'll az Republicans, were glad 10
believe that il was So decisive as to
admit of no further dispute or contest.
We should sincerely deprecate any
disposition or determination to refuse
acquiescence in that decision now, un-
less warranted by clear and convincing
evidences that such dispute is demanded
in the interest of justice and law.
Neither the country nor the Democratic
PARTY could afford to have so disturbing
and distracting an issue raised for any
other or less substantial reasons.
The conclusions, however, as to the
result, have been very much modified
and GAREIELD's msjoritles very much
diminished since the receipt Of the
initial returns. The whole situation is
now tersely put by the New York Tunes
in the following paragraph:
"Had New York given the $1,000 ma
iority for Hancock which was the least
that anv Democrat would admit to be
possible, and had Kings given even the
Democratic medium OF $1,000, the Re
publican majority in the State OF 30
600 would have been replaced by
Democratic majority of 10000. In point
of fact, had New York City done as
we'll as all Democrats and many Repub-
licans expected it would do, the State
would have gone Democratic by small
majority. and Gen Hancock would have
been the next President OF the United
States"
With this patent fact appearing now
TO force the conclusion that the vote OF
New York City alone has apparently
decided the election in favor OF the Re
publican candidate, and that the Demo
cratic majority in that city has fallen be-
low the expectations OF both Repubh-
cans and Democrats, while no satisiac-
tory explanation OF such result is
furnished; together with the further
fact that the validity OF the returns
from that city is questioned by the most
eminent politicians OF the State, on
grounds which seem to be well support
ell, looks as il there might be serious
and valid reason for believing that the
election is not vet decisive.
If, Tor example, it can he conclusiyely
shown that the Republicans used mark
oil ballots for Presidential electors
which, according to a law OF New York
passed by a Republican legislature
only last winter, are illegal; ar, II It can
be shown, as Governor DoRsHEINEs al
leges. that there were fully 10000 illegal
votes cast for the Republican ticket, and
that the vote will exceed the census oil
the voting population Dy that much or
more: or, il any one OF the other facts
which the investigating committee Is
bpntiny down, shall be establishes, II
would make such case as would in the
interest Of a free AMI fair election Justi-
fy dissent on the part Of the people oil
New York and the whole country.
II is too early, at least. to declare
General GARFIELD the duly elected
President of the United states All
men will agree that he may not reach
that position except through the pre-,
scribed course of the Constitution and
laws of the land. The electoral vote
has not vet been cast for him. IL may
not he. II is not hound to be. A ma
iority of the electors may or may not
choose to vote rs a majority OF the
States indicate. They may agree 10
substitute GRANT for GARFIKLD, or
TupES for HANCOCK. II, for example,
the Southern States should agree with
CoxEuxG and CANERoS to throw their
ISIS votes for GRANT in consideration
that CoxKLISG and CAMERoN should
throw in New York and Pennsylvania
for GRANT, who Will say that IoNALiN"
and CAMERON would not be glad to DO
tit they could
These things show the possibilities OF
the situation, ii not the probabilities
they show that the presidential question
is not vet unalterably fixed and final,
but We have faith enough in the good
sense-the sense OF right and justice OF
the Democratic party, to believe that 1t
will make no contest except upon the
most substantial and indisputable
grounds.