The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-23

Now OR NEvER.-0n the pretenco
that peace is better than resistance and
that they can repair the wrong four years
hence, the people of the Union are asked
TO suffer the Inauguration of President
whom they have not elected. This is an
insult TO common sense. The present
perilous situation of the country demands
immediate and effectual, and not prospec-
tive and problematical means and methods
Of preservation. No legislation changing
the mode Of electing President can pos
sibly avail now, or even in the future.
Whether that officer shall be chosen d.
rectly or indirectly by the people, it will
nevertheless be in the power of few bad
men, supported by partisan Executive
and subservient military force, to falsify
the returns of the vote and 30 defeat the
choice Of the people. All such PROPOSE
tons are equally dishonest and delusive.
They are meant only to obtain popular
federation for political wrong which
present endurance cannot possibly correct,
but must inevitably aggravate and confirm.
Such danger as now menaces the repub-
lie, must be met and averted at once, or
never. Suferance always encourages and
facilitates the aggressions Of despotism
upon the rights of the people. federation
of them, on any pretcnce, for even an
hour, is a cowardly temporising with dan
ger and merely puts off an evil day which
brave and timely resistance would alto
gether and certainly avert. philadelphia
Mercury.
The PoLITIcAL OUTLOOK How to
relieve the political condition Of the coun-
try is beginning to attract the attention
OF men Of all parties at the West and Of
business men oil the East. Following the
movement in Indiana of bringing popular
influence to bear in securing an equitable
adjustment Of the differences now existing
and for such proper scrutiny as will insure
fair count Of the electoral vote, come
indications Of like movements in other
Western sections for mass conventions to
be held on the Sth of January to embody
public sentiment on the subject, whilst in
New York merchants and bankers of that
city have held preliminary meeting to
discuss the situation and provide for a
large meeting this week Of influential
citizens of both parties who are not active
politicians. Among the features of the
Western movement is the call for grand
mass conventions at Cincinnati and Colum-
bus on the 9Th January irrespective Of
party. The outlook in Congress is also
improving, as the Senate, it is well under
stood, will not insist upon its right to
connt, through its presiding officer, the
electoral vote. The House resolutions
providing for committee of both houses
to agree upon plan to count the votes
has already been favorably entertained by
the Senate, and will probably receive its
sanction. This is in accordance with
general usage up to 1865, when the dis
puted twenty.second joint rule was adopt
cd, and though acted on for three presi-
Dental elections is now discarded by the
Senate.-Baitimore Sun.
"Who can afford it2' is the question
which the Philadelphia Times asks in re-
gard to electing President by false and
fraudulent returns. 1t comes to the con-
clusion that Mr.. Hayes, who has hitherto
borne good reputation for integrity,
could not afford TO reach the presidency in
defiance Of the popular will Of his couu-
trymen, "only to meet with the sullen
obedience Of great people until they can
stamp their. terrible excavations upon his
al Il