, 1882-01-28


clear majority of the popular yese, but
he failed 10 get the necessary number OF
electoral votes 10 insure an election, and
the final decision was therefore, by opera
ton of the Constitution, thrown INTO the
Lower House Of Congress. After spIr-
tied contest, John Quincy Adams wss
duly chosen President He owed his sue
cess chiefly TO Henry Clay, then Demo-
crat. but who entered boldly into con
spiracy 10 defeat Jackson. The popular
will WAS oyerridden in the elevation OF
Adams, and, as might be expected, when
the PEOPLES voice is ignored, his triumph
carried with ii the elements OF sure per-
sonal overthrow and ruin. The stigma OF
having obtained his Office by bargain and
in opposition to the wishes Of the coun-
try could not be got rid Of by Adams !;
and a. the next election be was beaten by
Jackson two 10 one-the latter receiving
l7s electoral votes and Adams only s3.
So sti long did public feeling rsn that
nearly all the Represe natives IN Congress
who had supported Adams IN 1924 were
unceremoniously sent into private Life
Even the glorious Clay, TOR his part in the
transaction, was forever ostracised from
the high object OF his ambition.
The lesson of 1924 has special signlf-
canoe at the present time.
In 1876. Samuel j. Pilden, the able
and fearless standard bearer of the Demo
cratic party, was rightfully elected Presi-
dent of the United States by popular
majority of over 80, 200 votes aud 81
votes in the Electoral Colleges. For days
after the election was held, it was univer-
sally conceded that he had been eiee.ed
beyond all question. But the plotting
Republican leaders, fearing the investiga-
tions into their record that would be
made by reform administration, imme-
diately set out to nullify the verdict at
the polls, to deprive Mr.. Tiiden Of the
Office that legally belonged to him, and
pat thieving hypoerite and fraud in the
White House. This they succeeded in
doing by disiranehising u, 600 Democratic
voters in Louisiana, 5000 in Florida, and
5000 in South Carolina With the help
Of the Returning Boards md Republican
governors, who issued certificates to the
Republican electors which were afterward
confessed to have been procured by cor
rupt Inducements, the great crime OF
putting usurper in the Presidency was
accomplished. The result was facilitated
by the assistance OF few Southern DEM
ocrats III Congress who loved place more
than duty, and who disliked Mr.. T,lden
for his Jacksonian principles, his strong
Union sentiments and his brave onslaughts
on jobs aud private legislation Their
;raitorous experience i'll 1861 made it easy
for them to turn traitors to the National
Democrats in 1876.
Depriving Tilden Of tn. Presidency
vas not only gross wrong to single
individual, but it was an irreparable blow
to free institutions. The wrench 1t gave
10 our system Of government almost ended
its career of glory and usefulness. The
old democratic principl, of self-govern-
nient was well nigh sunk out OF sight for
ever Ii was because Of these coasidera-
tions-the shock to public morals and to
self rule sustained by the fraud of 1876
that the denomination OF Tilden WAS i'm
perative in 1850. Such course would
have given the people chance TO vindi-
cate their right to govern themselves, and
to brand with condemnation the fraud by
which their liberties were sought TO be
destroyed. In spite, however, of the
earnest protests of Democrats every
where, the Cincinnati Convention knnck-
led to the djetation of the unprineipled
claquers, North and South, who turned
| their batteries of defamation and SANDER
upon Mr. Tilden. and refused to take up
| the great chieftain's claims for justice
The Democratic leaders, with their caps
i'll their hands before John Kelly, volua-
tarily led the world to believe that Mr.
Tilden represented no cause worthy oi
vindIcation. They stultified themselves
| by nominating man-shough noble
patriot and true Democrat-who could in
no proper sense be said To embody in his
person the principle that was so ruth.
lessIy tramp!ed under foot in 1876. Han
COCK name aroused no moral enthusiasm
among the masses. People looked upon
the contest as merely scramble for .ht
spoils. The steal OF the Presidency va;
lightly talked of, and, instead of becom,
ing the great, overshadowing issue of the
campaign, is dropped as a matter of the
most trivial Importance. The voters lost
faith in the Democratic leaders, and with
out the cohesive influence Of sound par
ty policy to keep its members together
the party split Up into petty factions. O
course, under these disheartening circum
stances, November brought US humiliatins
defeat
We are again nearing Presidential
campaign. Already We notice that the
press is discussing In spirited manner
he alleged claims of the different candi
dates for the Democratic nomination. As
in 1876 and in 1899, the Standard is first
last, and all The time in favor of tina;
peerless statesman, Samuel J. Tilden oi
New York, for President Of the United
States. He IS the only genuine leader
the party has had sinces Douglas mar.
shalled Democracy in behalf of freedom
and the Union. He is statesman of the
Jetf-rsonian schOol-that is, he is capable
of conceiyIng measures for the good OF