Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1878 — Buying the Presidency. [ARTICLE]

Buying the Presidency.

The Pottor investigation, originated no doubt in the most selfish motives, ought to result in much practical good to the country. Certainly no honest and thoughtful tuan of any party can regard the revelations made before the committee with anything but serious consideration. The fact that a man like James E. Anderson can figure prominently in politics in times of a great national crisis like that of 1876, be intrusted with important missions, and hold in bis hands almost sksolu'ely the weal or woe of 50,000,000 of people, is sufficient causo for profound alarm, as well as grave reflection. What particular element in our national system is lacking to guard against such machinations, it is the province of wiso statesmanship to 1 discover and apply. But if republicans should lament that they have once classed as a party adherent such. concentrated rascality .as appears in tho person of Anderson, democrats should bow still lower with shame over tho revelations made regarding their dishonest membership. Aud what makes the matter more nlarming in their case is the evident fact that the efforts to debauch the sworn officers of the government, and subvert the laws and principles on which the very life of the republic depends, came not from obscure adherents or well known adopts in political rascality, but from soino of the foremost men in that party. We would not knowingly draw a false or unjust inferenco in discussing this grave question, for it is something that ought to rise above and beyond parties; but we aek what conclusion can be Arrived at relative to, the attempted bribery of Judge LeVissee In Louisiana, as testified to before the Poster committee on Thursday, other than that the money proposed to be paid for that important vote c&rae from the democratic candidalo fortho presidency himselfT

Who else possessed interest itiflicient to pay SIOO,OOO for a single react We have had rumors, anil uncertaiti testimony about offers of money in Otrgow and other states, and these seem to beon traced Very near Mr. TUden; but thd amounts were small, amt then* wm vet a possibility that some of his enthusiast!* friepds might have made tlie offer, hoping to be rewarded perhaps, fmt with no dlreol understanding with- Mr. TOdtrw himself. Wlien men cotno forward, howevev, with n positive proposition to pay SIOO,OOO hf » voto it is morally certain that they know where and how they arc to be repaid, ami precisely for whom the negotiation is oea-r ducted. We submit, therefore, that this disclosure is one of the most alarming that has been mode iu the history of American pdfKics, nnd should excite the apprehensions of all who have a hope of or desire to maintain the government in its integrity. When the representative of a great party undertakes bv corruption to defeat the populaf will anil to bribe his way to power, it is lime for all patriotic citizens to cry shame, nnd for the party which has stood spvmvor for him W coiflo out and repudiate «wf denounce the nefarious act. If there Is any possible explanation or denial to make regarding thi* attempted ptrr-' chase in Louisiana, for the honor of thd country let it be mode and made speody. Silence in the face of such evidence means confession, and confession means the very lowest round of dishonor.— lnter Ocean ,