The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-03
the Electoral Com IN ssiOn 1877.
Matt Carnanter hae al UaNs Nheen

Senator Carpenters Speech Before
the Electoral Com In ssiOn 1877.
Matt. Carpenter has always been
considered one OF the most brilliant
and eloquent lawyers in the country.
In no arena did he distinguish himself
more than when he stood up for hon.
esty, justice and popular freedom, be-
fore the Electoral Commission, and no
more memorable words were spoken
before that Commission than those he
uttered on February 13, 1877, when
the Louisiana case was brought up.
Here is an extract from Mr.. Car
penter's speech:
If tha Commission please, to relieve
some anxiety that exists in some parts
of the country near my own home as
to whom l appear for here, desire to
say in the first place that do not ap-
pear for Samuel j. Tilden. He is q
gentleman whose acquaintance l have
not the honor of; with whom l We
no sympathy; against whom voted
on the 7th day of November last; and
if this tribunal could order new tri-
al, should vote against him again,
believing as do that the accession OF
the Democratic party to power In this
country to-day would be the greatest
calamity that could bsfall the people
except one, and that one greater ca
ldmity aOould be to keep him out By
fraud and fdlsehoOd. L appear here
tor 10000 legal voters of Louisiana,
who, without accusation or proof. in
dictInent or trial, notice or hearing,
have been disfrarehised by four viii
lains, incorporated with perpetu ual sea-
sion, whose official title is .the Re-
:arning Beard OF louisiana. | ap-
pear here fer the next Republican can
didate for the Presidency, whoever he
may be, whether it shall be one of my
trends on this Commission or some
other man, and insist thai this court
shall settle rule here by which in
that campaign, if we carry Wisconsin
by 10000 ma ority for him, as hope
we shall be able to do, no board of re
turning officers can, by fraud or false
hood, or bribery, be induced or be
enabled to throw that State against
him and against the voice and will of
our people. l beg your honors to
pause moment and consider the les
son you are TO teach to the future pol
iticians of this country by this days
work. This is no ordinary occasion,
no ordinary tribunal, no ordinary
cause An emergency has arisen
which has induced The two Houses of
Congress to create a tribunal never
before known in this country tri-
bunal made upon whatever is most
distinguished in this country for in
tegrity, for learning, for judicial and
legislative experience to tide the ma
ton over great crisis in its affairs.
The decision which you pronounce
upon this cause will stand as land
mark in all the future history of this
country; and | ask you to pause and
consider for moment " hat you are
asked to do here. I'll 9 honorable gen-
tlemen from the Hoase who have ap
peared here against US do not pretend
that by the votes given on the 7ih OF
November Mr.. Hayes electors were
elected in Louisiana. No serious pre-
tense of that kind is made. Now, if
you are TO decide in this case that, 10
matter how great and appalling were
the frauds committed in the canvass
ing of their votes, although it be true
as we shall offer TO prove by record |
evidence that they threw out of their |
count over 10000 votes for the Tilden
electors, that Is matter you will not |
consider, ight not every honorable |
member of this commission as well
sit down and write his license to pos
terlty to perpetrate all the frauds that
ingenuity aud selfinterest can sug-
gest?