Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-11

that campaign. Had there been no VAL
landigham in existence, however, the result
would probably have been the same. Sim
liar conditions existed in 1868. From the
moment Seymour, refusing to consent, con-
sented" to be tho candidate, the result was
a foregone conclusion. 1t needed no last
card-no roorback that could have been con-
cocted would have made any difference in the
result.
In 1872 when the democratic party, with a
| degree of magnanimity unequalled, nomi-
mated its old-time foe, Horace Greeley, his
success at the outset seemed assured. The
lifelong friend of the negro race, for whom
he had met all sorts Of opprobrium, and
whose battles he had fought, the colored
voters Of the south ungratefully turned
their backs on him, and his fate was sealed.
The state election in North Carolina took
place In August, and 1t was essential to
the success of Greeley that it should be
carried by the democrats. Augustus Schell,
who was chairman of the national commit
lee, gave them all they asked for, some
$50, 900, and ex-senator Ransom had charge
of the campaign. The state was lost to
the democratic party, ii was charged, by
Withholding from certain portions of the
state the funds needed. The result was
such a blow to the democratic party in
that campaign that they never recovered
from 1t. 1t destroyed all confidence in
Greeley's success. The support of the
negroes had been assured, but the contrary
was exhibited in that election, and sealed
the political fate of Greeley. When the cleo
ton was over, Ransom returned to Schell a
balance remaining in his hands of some
So, 900 or 81, 900. 1t was thought that IT.
that sum had been expended in certain
counties, it would have produced a differ
ent result. 1t may be so-but the moral
was that money should be returned. 1t was
unless ! am mistaken, the first instances Oh
record.
Perhaps the last card played in the cam
paign of 1876 was an alleged interview with
Tildep and a southern senator, In which TIL
den declared in favor of the payment of the
cotton tax and other southern war claims.
The interview appeared in some obscure
southern paper and was copied here and
extensively circulated only a few days be-
fore the election. Tilden wrote a letter de-
nouncing the interview as false and took
ground against the payment Of those war
claims, and millions of that letter in every
form-letters, posters. circulars-were spread
broadcast over the country.
THE MOREY LETTER.
Tho canvass of 1880 abounded In roorbacks.
The republicans, seizing upon a luckless
utterance OF General Hancock's to the effect
occasion to ridicule his ignorance OF eco
monte and political affairs, and their eff
forts In this direction were most enectual
in causing his defeat. Hancock could truly
have said, 'Some enemy hath done this"
but. as a matter OF fact, II was Senator Ran
dolph, an indiscreet friend, who advised him
to thus define his position on the tariff ques-
ton. On the other hand, Garfield was nc
cused OF disreputable connection with the
Credit Mcbilier and with the Washington
ring back In the seventies, while shortly
before election day the democratic cam
paigT managers sowed broadcast fac
simiies Of q letter signed with Garhell's
name. and representing him as so. lovingly
attracted to FOUR great manufacturing and
corporate interests as TO favor Chinese
immigration until laborers should be suf-
Rcieutly abundant to satisfy capital. This
document, known as the "Morey letter., .
caused Garfield no end OF trouble at the
time. but was promptly stamped as -
forgery. and failed Of its hoped-for object
the defeat OF the republican candidate.
Kenwood Philip. who was credited with
being the real author OF the letter. has been