The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-30
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

liable information concerning the unwritten his
tory of the critical times of the elec-
tion OF 1876, aud the extracon-
stitutional settlement of that controversy.
The facts presented by General Corse throw
some light upon Mr. Tildens action at the time
After the result was announced and it appeared
that he had prima facie title to the presidential
Office, General Corse was one of the confidential
agents of Mr.. Tilden TO visit Washingtomnand
sound the heads of the Republican adminlEtra-
tion and ascertain what course they would pur-
sue should there not be a formal declaration OF
the result by March 4. General Corse met
certain Republican Senators and Representa-
tiv es in an incidental sort of way, and was not
long In making up his mind that the Republican
managers were determined TO see their eandi-
date inaugurated if it were in the power of par
liamentary ingenuity, legislation or any other
method which circumstances might determine.
The friends of Mr.. Tilien were equally deter
mined to sustain what they regarded as his in
disputabe right to the executive Office
From shis quarter he turned his attention to
the army. He felt no hesitation in approaching
his old friend, General Sherman. He asked the
General what he would consider his duty in the
event of failure to elect a President by March
4. General Sherman promptly replied Down
to the 4th of March hy pleasure and my duty
would be to obey the orders of the President of
the United States. After that would have to
take things as I found them. AS General of the
Army it would be my uudoubted duty and loyal
settlement of selection of chief magistrate
and the raising of the interreguum."
This position was in the line of the views of
the President, who denied the assumption by
certain Senators that he should continue in au-
thority until the doubts were removed new
election had. He had announced that his term
of Office would expire under the Constitution, on
March f. After that he would be simply citi-
zen, but would consider il his duty to asslst in
maintaining order until the question of his sue
cessor was constitutionally and legally settled.
This attitude was regarded by General Corse as
indicating determination on the part OF Presi-
dent Grant and General Sherman to preserve the
status in quo until legal solution was reached.
Therefore any attempt to force the installation
of Mr.. Tilden without some other form of title
than prima facie case but an uncounted vote of
the Electoral College, as required by the Consti-
tuition, would be anragonized by the organized
power of the government There was no doubt
what might be expected in this quarter. There
was no intention to force Hayes into the Office.
preferred to have thrown him overheard en-
tirely, if possible, without increasing
tho complications. General Corse returned
to New York and had conference with General
Hancock, who was in command of the Depart
ment of the Atlantic, in which the national cap
ital was situated. General Hancock, without
hesitation. indicated that in the absence of any
support the claims of Mr.. Tilden, as he had the
prima facie title.
AS soon as the state Of mind of the powers in
control was ascertaned. Mr.. Tilden, as General
Corse admits, resolved upon conservative line
of action. The influence of the business men
and interests paramount with him. The
qualification of his ambition was secondary to
the peace and order of his country. The final
solution of the question by Congress was acqai-
e3ced in,