Year: 1878

This is a charge frequently heard in American
politics. 1t has several times been made with
regard to the presidency-once between John
Quincy Adams and Henry Clay. But the charge
was a foul slander, whose author was James
Buchanan, who was permitted to occupy the
high Office which he prevented Clay from OBJ
tanning, but who, if there be such thing
dispensation Of Providence was punished for his
wickedness by his own Administration being
made lasting disgrace to America, because of
the rebellion cobcoeted in its very councils,
which almost destroyed the nation. But now,
for the first time, the charge is made of bargain
and sale in order TO reach the Presidency, and
the facts and circumstances are SO clearly devel-
oped as to leave no doubt in the minds Of any of
its truth.


In 1876, Rniherfori B. Hayes was a candidate
for the Presidency, through an accident, which
he regarded as his usual good luck: and the re-
suit of the election left the question in grave
doubt as TO which candidate would be declared
elected. 1t all depended upon the final count in
a single Southern State; and whether that final
count would be allowed to be declared in law
full time, depended upon the Democratic majori-
~ in the lower branch of Congress. At that
crisis, few leading friends of Hayes, with his
knowledge and con,ent, deliberately entered in
to contract by which, if the Southern Demo-
Gratis would permit Hayes to he declared elected,
be was to betray his party in the South, and
hand il over, bound and helpless, to its enemies.
Hayes was counted in, and one of his very first
acts was to betray the Republicans of the South


1t is claimed that the Southern made
solemn promises relative to their treatment of
certain Republican leaders; but any man not
completely crazy with desire to be President,
would have known that men so lost TO honor as
10 violate their oath of allegiance to their conn
try, could not have very sacred regard for a
promise made not to revenge themselves upon
their political enemies. The sale was completed,
and at once prosecution and persecution of
Southern Republicans began. Hayes Leheld it
with unconcern, and at the same time ap-
peared to he 50 completely under the control of
the worst class of Southern leaders, as to force
the belief that he was influenced by abject fear
that those leaders were possessed of secret
which it wonld be fatal to him to divulge.


Now has come the unkindest cut of all. The
rebels to whom Hayes sold out and into whose
power be betrayed the devoted Republicans of
the South, have commenced the prosecution Of
the members of the Louisiana Returning Board |;
and their trial means certain conviction. The
crime for which they are being tried is-electng
Hayes President. 1t is said, at last, that Hayes
cold, selfish blood is stirred, and that he has
even gone SO far as to express indignation at the
reackery and rant Of good faith OH the part of the
men to whom he set the example of treachery
and want Of good faith His Indignation does
not arise from any sympathy with betrayed men
who are being tried and imprisoned, but from
fear that it will lead to developments which will
expose his own treachery.


Whether or not Louisiana was fairly carried
for Hayes, is very much mixed with doubt. Re-
publicans thought, at one time, that it was but
when it is being ascertained that thousands of
dollars, conclaves of crafty politicians, and Sc
cret bargains were necessary to make the figures
show it, the question looks very dubious. But
the facts are developing, day after day, and they
will all come to hight in good time. Anderson,
in prison, enjoys sweeter repose than Hayes, in
the White House, trembling in the place obtain
ed through fraud and treaehery, although lie
may try to keep up sanctimonious appearance
by preaching temperance and singing Methodist
hymns. When he retires from the White House,
the chances are that he will retire in contempt.
The sooner, the better.