Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-12-22


cussion of the political outlook as viewed
from tho standpoint of the national capital,
and his statements contain several points of
special Interest. The great problem, he
says, is the future course of the Democrat
ic party. The Republican candidate hav-
ing received a majority of the Electoral
votes under a due observance OF all the
forms OF law, there is no question among
the great body of the Republican party
that he ought TO be and will be inaugurated
as the next President. Tho Republicans
also believe that the result as determined
by legal forms is just and equitable, and
that Gov. Hayes is really The choice Of The
American people for the office of Pres
dent Because Republicans believe that
Gov. Hayes was honestly elected, and be-
cause they know That he has the requisite
number of Electoral votes as determined
by law, they feel hopeful even to assurance
that the American people, including the
larger portion Of the Democratic party,
will acquiesce in the result, and that the
Inauguration willtake place without violent
opposition and certainly without any re-
sort 10 force. The future is, however, not
free from some anxiety and doubt.
There are mingled threats and boasts
from some Of the more prominent leaders
of the parry, OF determination TO make
Mr.. Tilden President, at whatever cost and
by whatever means. They attempt the
most specious explanation OF the motives
that control I em, and declare that Mr..
Tilden has been elected and that The Office
belongs 10 him, and they profess that they
will not submit TO have the votes of Lousi-
ana counted against him, or 10 have them
"stolen," as they express it, by the Repub-
lican party. These Democrats make no
pretense of standing by the law, but they
endeavor 10 sustain themselves on the ques.
ton of equity.
The Democracy has formally refused,
through its authorized representatives to
declare to the country what their intentions
are with respect TO the questions at issue.
Under these circumstances, there are two
possible conclusions with respect to the
motives that have produced this delay.
Either the party is so divided that it can
not agree upon what course shall be put-
sued, or else there is soCle shrewd and
skilful director who has yersuaded the
managers to withhold Us long as possible
the PRONUNCIATION of pole. in OF der that
schemes secretly laid may be ,re better car
ried out. The general belief is thai the
former conclusion is correct; but it must
be confessed that there are some reasons TO
fear that the true reason is found in the al
tentative conclusion. or course there is
the usual division of sentiment as 10 what
may happen when Tho vote is counted and
the result declared. ere are in politics,
as among the speculai rs. bulls and bears.
There are those who look with the utmost
hopefulness upon the situation, aud there
are others who have the most anxious fears
OF coming conflict.
VIE this condition OF affairs continues
there st,.3S to be but one course which can
be pursued j.. he people and by The press.
All the facts of The election must be care
fully, fully and freely discussed, 50 that the
minds of fair and unprejudiced men may
settle down upon what is true, and there
Ought 10 be large majority OF the Amer
lea people that would come to one way of
thinking and one conclusion III regard to
the right and legal results OF the election.
There is no doubt that false arguments
have made an impression upon the minds OF
many well-meanlng and even intellectual
people but ii seems 10 most men Of mod
G ale way Of thinking that the reasonable
course for the Democratic party TO pursue
is TO submit peaceably 10 the Presidency of
Mr.. Hayes, and carry their grievances be-
fore the tribunal of the American people.
IT they can impress upon sufficiently
large majority that Mr.. Hayes is not en-
titled to The seal lie holds, that the occu-
pancy Of the Presidential office is usur-
patton, hat the Democratic party has been
cheated out OF its rights, the result will be
reversed when the next Presidential cleo
ton occurs, and by vote so decisive
and immense that no one would dare 10
raise question OF dispute. Meantime the
laws, which are admitted on all sides 10 be
defective and unsatisfactory, can he chang
ed, and they will be changed, no matie-
what party is charged with the adminislra-
ton.
In regard TO the questions raised there is
bnt one feasible method of proceeding by
which disturbances and dangerous dis
putes can be avoided. The Constitution it.
self is plain enough to any man who can
read. 1t is made still palmer by contem-
poraneous history and proceedings. 1t
seems therefore, that the only sensible and
patriotic method to be pursued is for all
parties to agree that the President OF the
Senate shall count the Electoral vote, and
declare it according 10 The votes as certified
by all the States. There is no question of
dispute in regard 10 single vote, except