806 



UNITED STATES. 



peril comes they will again be left unassisted and 

 alone to meet the storm from the North, once more 

 united by this attempt to revive an issue whose set- 

 tlement was forced by public opinion upon an un- 

 willing Congress ? 



In the dark days of February, 1877, when civil 

 war over the disputed election was imminent and 

 patriots trembled for the safety of republican insti- 

 tutions, the Southern members of Congress averted 

 the danger by compelling the completion of the elec- 

 toral count under the law which both parties in Con- 

 gress had enacted. 



But now the Representatives from the Southern 

 States, with a very few exceptions, have joined a 

 movement to subvert the results of their former pa- 

 triotic action, and to remand the country to that 

 anarchy from which, less than two years ago, it was 

 saved by their efforts. 



Grant that in permitting the autonomy of all the 

 States, and in appointing citizens to office in the 

 South, instead of strangers, President Hayes has 

 but discharged his constitutional duty. Does that 

 excuse the Southern Representatives for attempting 

 to invalidate his title, which they established, or 

 will it justify them in bringing the country again in 

 danger of civil war, in the effort to unseat him and 

 inaugurate Mr. Tilden ? 



The South must now face the most momentous 

 crisis in its history since 1861. To endorse the re- 

 cent conduct of their Representatives is to admit the 

 truth of the charge that the people of the South care 

 nothing for the welfare of the Union, desire the 

 downfall of the republic, and would rejoice to see it 

 again involved in civil war. If their Representatives 

 have not reflected their sentiments, as 1 believe to 

 be the case, then the people of the Southern States 

 should take care that in the Forty-sixth Congress 

 they are represented by men who will defeat the 

 disturbers of the public peace and prevent the Mexi- 

 canization of our institutions. To do this they may 

 be compelled to act independent of the Democratic 

 party. Recent events have demonstrated the inabil- 

 ity of Democratic members of Congress to resist the 

 mandates of the caucus and the terror of t lie party 

 lash, the one wielded and the other inspired by men 

 who seem willing to endanger the welfare of the 

 country and the stability of republicOTi institutions 

 for the sake of revenge on political opponents and 

 in the hope of dividing the " spoils of victory." If 

 the Democratic Representatives of the South could 

 not resist the caucus command to pass the Potter 

 resolution, unamended and without debate, how will 

 they be able in the Forty-sixth Congress to resist 

 a similar command to ignore Mr. Hayes as President 

 and to recognize Mr. Tilden ? 



It is therefore the duty of the Southern people to 

 afford a crowning evidence of their renewed devo- 

 tion to the Union, in which they now enjoy every 

 right of citizenship, and are subjected to no restric- 

 tions not laid upon every citizen, by sending Rep- 

 resentatives to the Forty-sixth Congress pledged to 

 resist at all hazards the revolutionary schemes of 

 the mischief-makers who seem to have gained con- 

 trol of the House of Representatives of the Forty- 

 Ifth Congress. To this end the people in every 

 district should meet publicly, organize, and resolve 

 to support no person for Congress who lias given 

 nid to this movement and will not pledge himself to 

 sustain the title of President Hayes during the term 

 for which he was elected, against all attempts at its 

 overthrow. Only in this way can a grave danger to 

 the republic be averted and convincing proof be 

 given that the confidence was not misplaced which 

 President Hayes manifested in the South when he 

 withdrew the troops from the State Houses of South 

 Carolina and Louisiana. 



I have spoken plainly and earnestly, for I feel that 

 I should be unworthy to represent the South in the 

 Administration were I to remain silent now. In- 

 vited to the Cabinet as a Southern man to see that 



justice was done to the South, required neither to 

 apologize for my record nor to disown my political 

 principles, it is my duty now to warn the people of 

 the South of the danger which threatens the coun- 

 try. No man need hope that the schemes of the 

 men who have engineered the movement to unseat 

 President Hayes can be carried out without a bloody 

 civil war. To avert this danger I confidently rely 

 upon the patriotism and honor of the people of my 

 native section. D. M. KEY. 



The action in the State of Maryland relative 

 to the title of the President to his office ie 

 stated among the affairs of that State. (5ee 

 MAKYLAND.) These proceedings comprise all 

 the official action which has been taken rela- 

 tive to the title of President Hayes. On the 

 part of the people there was an entire acquies- 

 cence in his Administration, as complete as if 

 he had come to the office by a large and 

 undisputed majority. Nevertheless he has 

 not been identified with the Republicans like 

 his predecessors, nor is he recognized by the 

 party as its true and distinguished leader. His 

 policy of civil- service reform has not been 

 sustained by it, and in the appointments to 

 the New York revenue offices, where this 

 question was involved, he was at the begin- 

 ning of the year directly opposed by the lead- 

 ing Republican Senators, and succeeded only 

 through the. support of the Democratic Sena- 

 tors. The Southern policy of the President 

 also has been fruitful in good results to the 

 country, although it has not been a political 

 success perhaps rather a detriment to his 

 party during the year. The financial affairs 

 of the country have been almost entirely con- 

 trolled by the. march of industrial events, and 

 its mines and its crops have overflowed to all 

 parts of the world. The resumption of specie 

 payments was thus made easy, and the prog- 

 ress of the settlement of local indebtedness 

 rapid. Thus the Administration has been a 

 good one for the country, but a poor one in 

 relation to political parties. Industry has in- 

 creased, indebtedness diminished, prosperity is 

 clearly seen ahead, but politics and political 

 progress have been inactive. 



On the abstract question of the Presidential 

 title, and the manner in which an investigation 

 could be made, and a decision enforced, there 

 has been discussion, but no conclusions have 

 been adopted. If the question ever arises again, 

 it will probably be settled by the ultima ratio 

 regum. 



Among the results of the investigation by 

 the Committee of Congress of which C. N. 

 Potter was chairman will be found a report 

 on the so-called "cipher telegrams." (See 

 PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.) Under a resolution of- 

 fered by Senator Elaine, of Maine, in the ses- 

 sion of Congress commencing in December, 

 1878, a committee was appointed to investi- 

 gate frauds at the elections in November pre- 

 ceding. The report of this Committee, under 

 Senator Teller, of Colorado, belongs to the his- 

 tory of 1879. 



The friends of labor reform, those in favor 



