The usurpation by Congress of the power
to displace a President whenever they choose to determine
that the original declaration of the result of an election
was wrong, on whatever pretence it is defended, is a total
overthrow of the Constitution.
"If you would ward off this blow at the national life, you
have one perfect means of defence, the election of a Republican
majority in the next House of Representatives."
When they had all agreed to it, Mr. Conkling, a member of
the Committee who had not attended the previous meeting,
came in late. The document was read to him. He opposed the
whole plan with great earnestness and indignation, spoke with
great severity of President Hayes, and said that he hoped
it would be the last time that any man in the United States
would attempt to steal the Presidency. Mr. Conkling's influence
in the Senate and in the country was then quite powerful.
It was thought best not to issue the appeal unless it were
to have the unanimous support of the Republicans. But the
discovery of some cipher dispatches, implicating some well-
known persons, including one member of Mr.
Pages:
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841