, 1876-12-31

Of the Committee on Resolutions, offered the
following, which we're adopted amidst loud ap-
plause. and the meeting thereupon adjourned:
Rtsotrtd, That it Is q matter Of comparatively
email moment what individual, when legally
chosen. may for four years exercise the Office Of
President OF the United States; but it s OF infinite
consequence to the success OF free government that
the fairly and honestly elected shall be naugu
rated, and not the one who has not been elected.
ResolEed, That the Government Of the United
States being founded on The right Of the people to
govern themselves through the ballorbox, thu free
md fnr exercise OF the right to vote, and to have
sacred right Of the citizen. That all attempts nr.
bitrnrily to abrdge or interfere with this right, in
1snaeh a. they thseate1 the destruction s Of our
tion. Tint the deprivation Of this right upon the
allegation Of violence f.aud in fts exercise the
penalty be s
naver to be inflicted except upon clear proof before
. competent md impartial tribunal, actins under
the plain sanction of law.
RESOLVED, That it is the duty Of Congress to in.
aist with unyielding frmness upon the integrity OF
its constitutional rights and prerogatiyes. and BY
their just and fair exercise to avert the perls
which threaten the peace and safety Of the c0un-
R<so1r<d, That in the Absence OF any statute.
wo noes of have he
right, under the Constitution, to count the votes
Of Electors decide all questions arising thereon
be received and counted for President without the
assent OF the House OF Representatives, or for
Vice President without the approval Of the Senate,
upon the settled principle Of law that when IN
Of certain contingency. and no mode has been pro-
yidcd for deciding when the event has occurred,
those who are required. to perform the duty must
decide when the contingency has happened.
Eesolced, That the Constitution Of the United
States does not either in TERMS or by Implication,
confer upon the President OF the Senate the power
to count the Electoral votes, nor .te decide any
questions that rnay arise Us to the reception
lection OF such votes; that the assertion OF such
hight Is at variance not only with the praciee uni
formy adhered to BY the party IN whose behalf it
Is now made, but with the time -honored usages Of
our Government since the election and inaugura-
ton Of its lrrt President; and that my attempt to
inauguratc President simply upon the declaration
Of the President Of the Senate would be IN act Of
usuEpatipn thai should be resisted by the people
without distinction OF party
Resotred, That all lawful means under the Con.
stitution aud lava ought to be exhausted to give
effect to the will Of The voters at the late election
for President and Vicc-P President Of the United
States, and that free and people can.
not surrender their right to elect their CHIEF
tive officers without personal disgrace.
.Reso!ged. That the temporary control control OF the
one Of orr political parties. constitutes sacred
trust, which Is .hagrantly violated by any use Of
these powers by such party for the purpose Of per-
petuatin9 itself In power.
Resolced, That the usurpation Of the functions
OF civil authority by the military power IL full Of
danger to free institutions. and that the use Of
this power. not IN the service Of thc country, but
in furtherQnce OF the interests OF party aud the
employment Of national troops in times of peace
to control or influence elections, or to control the
organization Of Stnte Legislatures, OF to oyerawe
the Congress Of the United States, il an outrage
Resolped, That the Secretary OF this meeting be
Instructed to forward copies Of these resolutions
to the President OF the United States, the Presi-
dent Of the Senate, and to the the House
,F RArr