smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Some days ago in commenting upon


President Grants letter to Mr.. Bris-


tow giving him permission to tell


what he knew about the connection of


the whiskey ring with the White


House, we predicted that he would
not avail himself thereof but would
ever find some current excuse to
| justify him in his silence. He thinks
he ought not TO tell what he knows
for the reason that somebody else
might remember differently! It is just
as We said. Mr.. Bristow is too pru-
dent patriot to make Grant mad
by testifying against him even if he
did kick him out of the White House.
and w thout giving him a character.
1t was rather poor dodge, and quite


destitute of the requisite amount of
thickness to fool any body. Here
is what the prudent patriot says, and
it may be remarked in passing, that
it is little strange it was not sooner
published:


New YORK CRY, July Is, 1876.


Mr.. PRESIDENT: Il have the honor
this moment to receive your letter of
yesterday, in which, referring with
approval to my refusal to testify be-
fore committee of the House of Rep
resentatives to what occurred between
the President and myself while I held
the Office of Secretary of the Treasury,
you are pleased to add that you wish
to relieve me from all obligations of
secrecy, and to express your desire
that all the members of your Cabinet
may be called upon to testify fully.


When J. appeared before the COM
mittee last week in obedience to their
summons I refused to answer any and
all questions which required me to
state any conversation between you
and myself touching official matters,
whether such conversation took place
at a meeting of the Cabinet or at an
other time, saying however to the
committee that no interference adverse
to any one should be drawn from my
refusal to answer their questions. I
took the position distinctly that con-
sidered all conversations between the
President and heads of departments
on official matters confidential and
privileged, and that the privilege ex-
listed not SO much for the protection
Of the parties Immediately concerned
as for the interest of the public service.
Hlwas light in this view OF the matter it
would seem to follow that the privilege
cannot be waived by either or both OF
the parties. ILdeed. I said to the
committee that ould not feel at lib,
erty to answer their question with your
consent. Although have not had an
opportunity to examine authorities on
this subject. / am still of the opinion
that the obligation of public duty to
treat such conversations as confiden-
tial and privileged is not renewed
or modified by your consent that L
should make full answers to the ques-
tions. If the privilege were merely
it might be waived, but I
placed it on higher grounds. re-
spectfully suggest shat the appearance
OF the several heads of departments |
before committee of Con yress to tes-
tify to conversations between the Pre- |
sident and themselves running |
Year: 1876

THE DUTY az THE HOUR.


There can be no question that our
chances of success in the present CAM
paign are greater than they have eyer
been since the close of the war, In fact
it is about the first time that we really
have had even the ghost of chance.


in 1868, though our candidate was
one of the ablest statesman and one of
the purest men of any age. Horatio
Seymour, yet the overwhelming popu
larity of General Grant at that time
could not be successfully overcome by
anv opposition. He was the idol of the
Northern people, and all the elements
of success SO centered upon him that
his election was a foregone conclusion.
The battle really was lost before the
fight began. When we accepted
Horace Greeley as our candidate In
1872, we accepted at the same time In
evitable defeat. It could not be other
wise in the nature of things. While
we cordially admitted the goodness of
heart and the massive intellect of the
foremost journalist of the age, yet his
whole career had been one of violent
antagonism to the principles of our
party. It was asking too much of the
Democratic element of the North to
recognize as their leader one of the
founders of the Republican party and
Of
And SO the election was permitted to
go by default. With the South the
case was somewhat different. Our OBJ
iect was to convince the North that
we were honestly ready and willing to
re-enter the Union and therein to lay
the foundation for success in this
campaign.


But there will be no default in the
present campaign. Our leaders are
the opponents of the old time doctrines
of Jefferson and Jackson. They
represent the true Democratic
Conservative policy Of the country,
and the issue is distinctly and
sharply made between radicalism on
one side and conservatism on the
other, between a return to honesty
and purity in administering the gov
ernment and the continuance of the
present system of fraud and corrup-
tion. Who can doubt the result with
such an issue and under such leaders
as we now have We cannot fail if
we are true to ourselves and to the
glorious cause for which we are CON-
tending With concert of action, with
unceasiDg work and a determination
never to relax exertion until the cleo
ton IS over. our triumph will be the
graudost in OR history, and we then
can point with truth and with exultant
pride to &hat national motto which has
been for so many years obscured by
tyranny and oppression. E Pluribus
UJtun1, for we will then be a re-
deemed, united people, one and in
divisible, from the Atlantic to the
Pacific.


Ia not the prize worth the labor
necessary to attain it, and did ever a
people nave such incentives to exer-
ton as we have. both in our State and
national elections Our standard
bearer has struck the key note of the
campaign. 1t is to be aggressive, to
ask no favors, to shrink from no res
sponsibilities. "Thrice is he armed
who has his quarrel just" and if ever
people had justice on their side we
certainly have it now. We have but
to do our duty and all will be we'll.


We cannot believe that our people
will be found unequal to the exigencies
of the occasion, or unwilling to dis
charge the duties they impose.
Year: 1876

We invite the especial attention of
all our readers this morning to the
delightful communication bearing the
appropriate title of ''Salmagundi. It
scarcely needs the we'll known initials
''T. B. K" to suggest it's distinguished
author. The admirable political les
son it contains is rendered even more
effective by the charming manner in
which it is enforced manner that is
peculiarly the property of our good
friend Mr.. Kingsbury. We sincerely
trust he will again oblige us and soon.
Year: 1876

Hon Kemp p Battle. was i'm his place,
and has entered upon his duties with
perfect aOiOnab. as if he was born to
them. We felt more than ever in see
ing him preside over meeting of the
faculty which we attended. how much
more appropriate was his selection
to the Presidency than that of a
stranger to the State. There is be-
tween him and his faculty a mutuality
Of sympathy aud interest which secures
cordial cooperation in their great
purposes, and will bring about that
success which could not have been
permanently attained under an alien
rule
Year: 1876

The Editor of the Hillsboro Recor-
der spent last Saturday ct Chapel Hill
and gives the following pleasant and
readable account of matters and things
at that venerable seat of learning:


It is about eighteen months since
our last visit, and the contra It between
now and then is of the most striking
and agreeable character. The cloud
that then overcast it's fortunes has
passed away, and the bright sunlight
of hope. if not prosperity, shines upon
it, finding visible expression in the
CHEEKY lock of the village itself. It's
newly repaired ana painted houses and
fences, it's we'll tended shrub )ery, its
clean and we'll kept streets indicate a
hope and a purpose-something to
work for.


THE UNIVERSITY.


The work of repair has been made
complete, and the grounds and build
ings were never in finer condition.
The grounds especially have lost their
unkept and wilderness look, and would
crafty the pride of Mr.. Paxton, to
whom they owe their beauty and
adornment, could he see them now.
The stately oaks owe nothing but to
the hand of nature and the Develop
ment of time.


The exercises of the University nom
inally opened ON Friday. But none
of the students of the last session
made their appearance until Saturday
afternoon. 1t is believed that with
few exceptions all of these will return
About twenty five new applicants for
examination we're on the ground
These We're independent of those who
had been admitted at the commence
ment, and it is estimated that there
will be from fifty to seventy-fve new
students. making the whole number for
the session from 125 to 14O. This is
exceedingly encouraging. and has in
spired the faculty with The most hopes
ful feeling
Year: 1876

shown by any other corporation in the
country during the same time.


What is said in regard to reductions
in other places is equally true of Will
mington. The old rate from Wi. i,
mington to New York was 81 80 for
10 words, which was reduced from
time to time until the present rate of
81 90 was reached At first there was
no half rate or night telegram system
a night telegr I'm to New York is now
sent for SO cents.


Old rate. Pr's'nt rate.
Year: 1876

These foot up l0l votes, or IS less
votes than are necessary to elect. We
would not have our readers under
stand, however, that there is not in
this contest sufficient to call for every
Republican to do his duty and his
whole duty. All we mean to say, is
that victory is ours, in our opinion, il
we will it, and act with a fair show OF
that energy which the party has dis
played in former years. Should the
democracy carry all the states of the
South but South Carolina, as they
claim, then they would come from
that section with l3l votes, or only 54
short. of ali election.


We have heard some men argue
against the Republican party that it
is not national but sectional, all OF
which is very shallow, as the party
has strong, healthy organization in
every state of the Union, and casts n
large ana respectable vote in each
one. In no state I'M the Union
is the Republican party more
hopelessly buried under big major
ity than is the democratic party in
other states. But again, while the
Republican party obtains its great
vote from the North, per contra the
democracy gets its great vote and
strength from the South. Our elec-
toral vote will be got chiefly in the
North our opponents in the South.
If, therefore, our party is sectional, SO
is theirs, and right here lies very
much of the gist of the contest. Shall
a people lately in Rebellion in behalf
of slavery, rule the country, or shall
the people rule who conquered rebel
lion, saved the Union, and blotted
from the fame and name of the Re-
public its foul stain of traffic in hui
manity.
Year: 1876

THIS week the Democratic House,
in the contested election case of Platte
as. Goode, both of Virginia, the latter
"a Democrat and the sitting member,
voted in favor of Goode, though the
committee reported against him. We
cannot better characterize this base
action of Democratic House, than
by giving the following extract from
the speech of the Hon. Charles +.
Thompson, in the House, who is a
Democrat and a member of the conn
mittee on elections:


Mr.. SPEAKER: feel earnestly upon
this question. l have spoken with
earnestness upon it, and do not wish
the Honse to believe that am not in
earnest, for 1 feel that not only my
character, but the character of this
House is at stake i'm the determine
ton of this question. say this de.
liberately, after the most mature
reflection, that if the sitting member
(Goode) is allowed to hold his seat il
will be one of the boldest outrages
upon justice, upon a contestant, and
upon the legal electors of Congress
sional District ever perpetrated in OF
out of this House.


Goode is a member of the commit
tee on Banking and Currency in the
House, and since he has been made
secure in his seat he has steadily alb.
sented himself from the meetings oil
that committee. This leaves the hard
money men in the majority, or at leas,
ties the committee. No action can be
had on the resumption act except by
bill reported from this committee, be.
cause tw0-thirds vote is necessary
to get it up in any other shape. II Il
openly charged, and the evidence
seems to be overwhelming that Tilden
and his friends in the House made q
corrupt bargain with Goode, that il
he, soft money man, wonld keep out
of the Committee on Banking and
Currency, they would vote for his re
tanning his seat. If there was ever 4
statesman of America out of the pen
itentiary, who could beat Sam. Til
den in ways that are dark and trick,
that are yain,' he has thus far failed
to turn up.
Year: 1876

MAJ. P. II. GRADY, a war democrat
of Albany, N. Y, has got too much
crow to swallow in Tilden, and there
are thousands like him in the Empire
State. Recently he was chosen Cap
tain of Tilden club, and the Pres
ident of the club notifying him of his
election, he wrote the following re-
ply:


81 have always been a democrat,
and have not been accustomed to bolt
ing regular nominations but have
also been a Union soldier, and may
rs well confess that l find livery diff
ficult to work up any great degree of
enthusiasm for Presidential candi-
date who pronounced the war for the
Union a "disgrace,"a a Failure" and
who did all he could to discourage
enlistments to the army in the field.
As war democrat claim the right
to vote for a patriotic and honest
Union soldier in preference to a man
whose selfishness and partisanship has
always been more conspicuous than
his patriotism: and i claim further.
that do not forget my rights as a
member of the democratic party in
doing so.
Year: 1876

the state of society calls not for gov


ernment troops and martial law, but
for man of nerve and executive
ability in the highest state Office, quail


tiles which, unfortunately, Governor
Chamberlain has not. This worthy
gentleman is much more intent upon
political success than in restoring to
that unhappy and distracted state the
good government and social order
which should long ere this have sig
nalized his administration. The tron-
BILE is simply want of attention, and
want of purpose to put down lawless
men. If South Carolina was governed
by man like Wade Hampton, who
knows something of government,
and the state was overrun as now,
with bandits and thieves, fault might
justly be found with southern rule,
but being governed by radical
carpet-bagger and radical state gov
ernment composed of men lately lift
ed from ignorance to power, the case
assumes different phase, and the
blame must rest where it properly be-
longs"


In the meantime, our telegraphic
dispatches announce that Butler ard
some eighty Of his Confederate mur-
derers have been indicted, and that
Governor Chamberlin will bring all
the powers Of the State to bear, to the
end that the Hamburg assassins may
be speedily brought to their well
earned halters.


While liberal and fair-minded
Democrats are generally demanding
the swift punishment of Butler and
his crew, the Burlington Gazette be-
comes their apologist, and wants the
government of South Carolina turned
over to their and kindred control,
and this is the kind of journalism
which makes Democracy practically
one of the lost arts in Iowa.
Year: 1876

The Cincinnati Enquireris is the lead
ing democraticpaper of Ohio. 1t now
supports Tilden, but did not before
his nomination.. 1t is amusing to see
how this great representative organ
Of Ohio democracy and reform, eats
crow, and the fearful kind of crow it
feeds on. For instance, soon after
Tilden's nomination, it said of him :
ut could not but be that a man edu-
Gated in cunning, in hypocrisy, in
iniquity, nominated in corruption and
shameless effrontery, even though his
millions could elect him. would give
us the most corrupt administration
the country has ever known
Year: 1876

The negroesa of South Carolina
held mass meeting after the Ham
burg massacre, and resolved against
further submission to such outrages.
They declare: There is deep de-
termination never, SO help them God,
to submit to be shot down by lawless
regulators for no crimes committed
against society and law. There is a
point at which fOrbearance ceases to
be virtue; towards driven to des-
peration often destroy those who cor
ner them. The negro in this country
will not always he docile--he will not
always be restrained by his law abid-
ing character--the rising generation
are as brave and daring as are white
men; already that spirit is taking
deep root in the minds of thousands
who have nothing to lose in the con-
test, and who would rejoice in an op-
portunity to sacrifice their lives for
their liberty.
Year: 1876

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Signal Ser
vice observations taken at 10 O'Clock
this forenoon indicate the following wealth
er, probabilities for this afternoon and to-
night:


The storm center in the northwest will
advance eastward over the upper lake reg
ion, preceded by warmer east to south
erly winds, increasing to brisk and prob
ably high winds; cloudy and rainy weather
followed by colder northwest winds and
clearing weather in the lower Missouri
valley during the afternoon and night, and
in the upper Mississippi valley by Friday
morning
Year: 1876

THoMAsTowN, Conn, May Il.-By the
breaking OF an axle through morning car
filled with excursionists was thrown from
the track of the Nangatuck railroad down
an embankment and into the river. AL
though the car was badly smashed and
filled with water none of the occupants
were killed. Some 90, more or less, were
severely Injured.
Year: 1876

TRY THE ENAMELLED PIPE. IT WILL Non
! Rust or crack and costs only trife more than
common iron pipe. Is positively THE BEST thing
for water service pipe have the exclusive agency
ior ROCK Island FRED UASS


Store in Star Block
Year: 1876

advent to power means justice, fair deal.
ing and an open field to all citizens ana
all doctrines.


The Herald compliments Tilden on his
election, and wishes him with utmost
sincerity conspicuous success. While
regretting the defeat OF the great party
which carried the country through the
war which freed the slaves and
has paid large shares Of the debt,
it congratulates the country upon
the result of the election as
showing that the American people
are not slaves of any party. and that
they will not let past services condone
what they believe to be an injurious or
improper policy. 1t proves the exist
ence in our country Of mass
Of independent voters who
exist in sufficient numbers
to really control the elections, and thus
to shape the policy of the country, to
punish wrong doing by party leaders,
and to bring new men into power when
ever they choose, no matter what efforts
the machine politicians may make.
This Is the best guarantee we Americans
system Of government and the strongest
assurance we can show to European
observers that constitutional liberty
will be maintained here. The Demo-
Gratis come into power under peculiar
circumstances, though they have gained
the election, they are not generally trust
ed by the country, which will watch them
|jealously. 1t will scrutinlze very
sharply every act of theirs, and hold
them TO strict accountability, and it
will sweep them out of existence four
years hence If they are discovered
trifing with any public interest, whether
1t be the public credit, the security of the
blacks in the South or the National
debt. II they are statesmen they may
rule, II they are not they will be pushed
aside. The victorious party has some
notions which the people no longer be-
lieve In, and which it will be wise TO
drop.
Year: 1876

cannot DO shirked, and interest rs well ms
duty requires the presence of the Represen-
tatives The democratic House will main
tain that il can exclude fraudulent votes,
and the democratic members will not miss
the occasion to exercise the power so claimed
If they should find il necessary.


still stronger motive is suggested by
Mr. Potter for the attendance of the House.
contingency may arise which will require
the Representatives to elect the President,
and il is maintained that the House is the
sole judge Of that contingency. Neither the
constitution nor the laws make any provision
for informing the Representatives when q
case Of that kind has happened. There
is no officer or body which IS required or
authorized 10 notify them. The reason why
they require no notification is that they are
present and personally cognizant Of MI that
is done during the count. Being witnesses
Of the facts they need no other information
and Mr.. Potter contends that the House is
the sole judge whether the cxigency has
arisen which makes it their constitutional
duty to proceed to elect a President
in consequence Of the failure Of any candi-
date to receive legal majority Of votes in
the official count In such failure the
House must Immediately proceed TO elect
the President, and, as the constitution gives
no other body the right to decide whether
such an emergency has arisen, Mr.. Potter
contends that the House must necessarily
decide this question for itself.


This summary will enable readers to see
precisely what tho democratic line of action
will be if Louisiana is counted for Hayes by
the Returning Board in dishonest defiance
Of the returns The democratic House will
be present in full force, and when the Lonis-
lana certificates are opened objections will
be made to counting those votes. II the two
houses disagree, the Representatives will
adhere to their own decision. At the end
of the count they will decide that there has
been no choice by the Electoral Colleges,
and proceed Mt once to elect a President.
This is undoubtedly the settled democratic
programme. This is the method of pro-
cedure the party chiefs have deliberately
resolved to adopt. We commend their
boldness in placing it SO early before
the country and submitting it to the ordeal
Of public discussion. More than two
months will intervene before they will need
to put it in force, and in the meantime it
will be the great argumentative battle ground
of the two political parties. But it is not
probable that there will be any change of
plan on the part of Mr.. Tildens supporters
if he should be counted out by manifest
fraud.
Year: 1876

CHEF JUSTICE CHURCH is opposed to any
change in our electoral system which will OBJ
litcratc State lines and melt the whole peo-
pie of the United States into single con-
stituency for electing the President, and he
is equally opposed to the district system,
which forms the essential feature of the
plan advocated by Senator Morton. Judge
Church would abolish the Presidential elec-
tors and have citizens vote directly for the
candidates of their choice, the whole vote
of each State to be counted for the candi-
date receiving majority in that State. This
would differ so little from our present sys-
tenn that the change would hardly be worth
making. At present the whole vote Of each
State is given to the party or candidate
which has majority of its voters, SO that
Judge Church's plan would be simply the
present system minus the Presidential elec-
tors. They are indeed useless, but they
alter nothing, and it seems to US that more
thoroughgoing change is necessary than
looping off mere excrescence from the
present system.