Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1878 — Address of the Republican Congressional Committee [ARTICLE]

Address of the Republican Congressional Committee

To ihe Voter* of the United State*: The Democratic House of Represenlfilives baa 10-driy by a party votendopteu a resolution which under tho pretence of an investigation, is to lay Iho foundation of a revolutionary expulsion of tho President from his office. This is Hie culmination of a plot which has been on fool from the d«y llnyes and Wheeler were constitutionally declared electad. It made ils public npp> nrunce in the resolution of ihe last Democratic House, adopted at tho close oflliesession, declaring that Tilden and Hendricks were elected. Tllden nnd Hendricks subsequently made similar public declarations themselves. A few timid members have long held hack, nnd some of Ihetu, alter being coerced lo u final vote, still pretend that they will halt us soon os their partial and one-sided investigation shall be ended; in other words, that they intend, after henriug suborned evidence, to bring in a verdict that Hayes is a usurper, and that he ehall not remain in office. These men are controlled by the Democratic party. They dared not eVeii follow Alexander H. Stephens in a fight against the caucus dictation to the extent of showing a semblage of fair-play. Tlley will be impoteut in the future, hb they have been in the post. It is diftionlt to believe in their sincerity, in view of the public avowal of their party that its purpose is, if possible, tq displace the President. It is a matter of history that Hie resolution just adopted was framed to express this object . The Speaker of the House was consulted in advance as to whether be would rule that it was a privileged question. The party

managers were anxious to conceal their purposes if possible. In this they were defeated by the Speaker, who would not rule it a question of privilege unless it clearly asserted the title of the President. The resolution being offered he read a carefully prepared opinion, deciding it to be a question of the highest privilege, because it involved a question of the validity of Mr. Hayes’ title. Here are his very words: “A higher privilege than the one here involved, and broadly and directly presented ns to the rightful occupuncy of the chief executive cbnir of the government, nnd the connection of high government officials with frauds alleged, the obuir is unable to conceive. The chair finds enumerated among the questions of privilege act down ir. the manual the following: ‘the election of President;’ and therefore rules that the preamble and resolution embrace questions of privilege of the highest character, and recognizes the right of the gentleman from New York to offer the same.” Upon this Hie republicans commenced to struggle Hgainsf the revolutionary scheme, which after five days duration, terminated in the success of the conspirators. The Republicans offered to favor tbe fullest investigation into ail alleged frauds by which ever party charged to have been committed: but the Democracy pursued its course shamelessly and relentlessly, and stifled all inquiry Into attempts nt bribery in Oregon, South Carolina and Louisiana, nnd murder and violence in several States. Neither amendment not debate was allowed. The inexorable previt us question was applied and enforced. This scheme, if pursued—and it is now fully inaugurated—can only have the effect of further paralyzing business of all kiwis, pnavcntiug the restoration of confidence which seemed promising, casting a gloom over every household anil bringing our natiou into reproach before the civilized world. Tho pence of the country is the first consideration of patriots. This new effort of the Democracy to inaugurate anarchy and Mexicanize the government by throwing doubts upon the legitimacy of the title of the President is in keeping with the records of that party, one wing of which rebelled against the government while the other gave aid and comfort. We call, therefore, upon all who opposed tbe rebellion of 1861, without distinction of party, to rally again to the support of law, order and stable government and to overwhelm with defeat the reckless agitators who to gain political power would add to the present distresses of country by shaking the foundations of the government they failed in a four years war to destroy. By tho unanimous order of the committee El'cexe llai.i:, Chairman. Geo. C. Gorham, Secretary.