Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-12-21

INSTRUMENTATION in Congress
nor in the disputed States" has any
thing occurred since our last issue to
change in any material aspect the pres.
idential situation then presented. The
two sets Of Congressional Committees
are still interviewing the doings of Re-
turning Boards in the disputed States.
II is believed now they will not con.
Glide tbsir investigations before the
middle Of January and that then they
will present two opposite and partisan
reports, one claiming these States for
Tiiden and the other for Hayes. /,
looks very much at present as if exist
ing antagonisms would obtain until the
Houses meet in February to count the
electoral votes. What will then be done
or attempted is the merest conjecture.
u is pretty clear, however, that the
right Of the President of the Senate to
open, count and decide upon the valid
isy of the electoral votes will not be
insisted upon by the radicals. II is not
ut all unlikely, however, that some 9th
err claim, equally preposterous and law
less, will be attempted by them to count
in Hayes and compass his Inaugural
ton. II is certain at least that some
outrage upon existing law is essen
tial to the accomplishment of rad
ical designs upon the presidency
Whether they will have the necessary
audaciiy and recklessness to attic mpt
this remains to be seen. We think
that neither right nor law will restrain
them but only the approximations of for
chile and successful resistance. That
this is the true keynote Of the situation
i. manifest from the anxiety they are
showing in regard to recent popular de-
monstrations against them in the West
and by their own hating and shifting
courses since the excitemen there COM
mcnccd. The more we look into the
situation, the frmer We are convinced,
that the only way now open to prevent
the usurpation Of the Executive office
oy pretender and the consequent de-
struction Of our Constitution is BY build
ing up on the movement lately inaugu-
rated in Indiana.
So many members of the House
and Senate are off on Southern Com
mittee duty that, except on State occa-
s'"ns, or occasions Of special interest,
it is difficult to command a quorum in
either House. Current Congressional
proceedings are consequently of little
general moment and are likely to con-
tinuc so to be, until the Committee peo-
pie return and make report of their in
designations. As above stated, this is
not expected to occur earlier than the
18th Of January.
Affairs in South Carolina are coming
TO a head at last. The bogus radical
Legislature having passed treason bill.
which is aimed at Hampton and other
officers in the new and true State Gov
eminent. Chamberlain, the usurping
Governor, has taken steps to have
Hampton and his officers arrested and
tried under this act. The bill being
nothing of more account than a piece of
waste paper, Hampton and his people
will OF course resist arrest under il, and
then the tug of war will commence. but
this will not continue over ten minutes.
Unless the Federal troops interfere. a
look from Hampton will settle the
Chamberlain crowd, and, il Federal
interference occurs, he being pledged
not TO resist 1T. submission on his
part will immediately result. Il is
likely then that Grant will superscde
civil government in the State bv pro-
claiming martial law within its lin
its. and rs he is mean and vindictive
enough for any thing. il is not ut all
improbable that he will appoint his
friend Chamberlain to the position of
military Governor.