Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1878 — Call the Defense. [ARTICLE]

Call the Defense.

The Tribune has now placed before the people a mass of proof as to the doings of Mr. Tilden’s agents in Florida. That the evidence is terribly strong no one will deny. The absolute silence of those who for any reason wish to believe it untrue bears witness to its power. Journals which scouted the forthcoming'revelations at first, including some which have supported and defended Mr. Tilden hitherto at all lengths, now declare that silence on the part of those who are implicated is equal to a confession of guilt. There are others, however, who still wait for some answer. The Herald, which recognizes in a powerful article the force of the proofs submitted thus far and the immense political importance of the issue raised, nevertheless suggests, as a reason for the silence of Mr. Tilden and his agents, the answer of the Iri.simian to the question, ft Guilty, or not guilty?” “ Begorra, how can I tell till 1 hear the evidence?” But we must tell those whose characters are chiefly at stake that no such reply will serve them. This is no case for fooling. The Tribune has not spoken at random. It has taken care to be fortified at every point. It has not only given to persons implicated opportunity to be heard, but has urged them, again and again, before its publication of dispatches and since, publicly and by zealous reporters, to place before the public any explanation they have to give. -They are silent, Juhd they best know why." They know, as we do, what they did in Florida and South Carolina. They know of necessity, as \\edo, what their telegrams reveal. They have seen .that we now have in use every key or cipher in which any of their messages was sent. But thpy do not know how complete oiir file of their messages is, and they are not able themselves to recollect distinctly all the minor points these messages cover, If there is an honest defense it can be proffered at once; but a successful defense cannot be invented until they, have before them in plain print all the points of the case to be covered. That is precisely what they are npt going to get in a hurry. They know the arraignment, and if they are 1 •innocent they can plead promptly. As i to the details of the story, they may 1 rest assured that we shall publish so much and at such -J***' ...

our judgment as to the public interest. We are in no haste as to any of it. It will keep. If they wait for “ all the evidence,” they may wait foreVer. In the Florida case, for example, we have told the facts as they appear to be established by dispatches. Enough has has been told to force conviction in every reasoning mind, if no reply be mad". Whether it will be necessary to produce all or any of the corroborative evidence at our disposal, we shall judge-when any reply is offered. If none is offered, we know what the verdict of the people will be, and so do Mr. Tilden and his friends. Three replies are possible. The perimplicated can say that the dispatches are forged. In that case we should be very glad to have any responsible person make the assertion. He will learn quite soon enough for his convenience how we shall meet it. It is possible to say that the translations are incorrect. In that case we demand the only proof which will ever satisfy the public—production of the original keys and vocabularies used. Then the Eublic will judge. Finally, it is possile to say that the dispatches were sent, but with no criminal intent. In that case, the public will demand, What was the intent? Sooner or later, the persons accused will be forced to take one or another of these three defenses, or to confess guilt and take judgment. But it will be fatal to the accused if they wait much longer. They know what the world must inevitably and justly'thThk—What It surely and justly believe—if a man confronted with such charges has no answer to make. The innocent man, in such an emergency, waits not an instant. His indignant reply is as swift as the hot blood which leaps to his cheek. No matter how timid—and Mr. Tilden and his agents arb not bashful maidens in timidity—no matter how —startled by the shock of unimagined shame, the innocent man never fails to say "Not guilty” the instant an attempt is made toplace on his brow the brand of guilt. The whole country demands an answer from Samuel J. Tilden and his agents. Millions of; free citizens, who voted to place him in the seat of George Washington, demand from him a swift and clear reply. If he says nothing, it is a confession. If he resorts to legal shifts and excuses to get delay, the brand will be fixed before he knows it, and will never come off. There must be answer, or judgment will be rendered. The charge, has been made not in haste nor idly. The proofs are before . the people. And every honest man who voted for Tilden is ashamed of himself already this day, because four days have passed and bis candidate for the Presidency opens not his mouth.—N. Y. Tribune.