There must be
nothing curved on our part. Let Mr. Tilden have the place
by violence, intimidation and fraud rather than undertake
to prevent it by means that will not bear the severest scrutiny."
He upheld the good faith of the nation in his veto of the
bill to authorize the coinage of the silver dollar of 412-1/2
grains, and to restore its legal tender character in 1879; and
in his veto of the bill violating our treaty with China. He
grew steadily in public favor with all parties, and with all
parts of the country, as his Administration went on. Under
his Administration the resumption of specie payments was accomplished;
and, in spite of the great difficulties caused by the factional
opposition in his own party, he handed down his office to
a Republican successor.
The weakness and folly of the charge against the decision
of the Electoral Commission, that it was unconstitutional
or fraudulent, and the fact that the American people were
never impressed by these charges, is shown by the fact that
General Garfield, one of the majority who gave that decision,
was elected to succeed President Hayes, and that six of the
eight members of that majority, now dead, maintained, every
one them, throughout their honored and useful lives, the respect
and affection of their countrymen, without distinction of
party.
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