The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-21
The Oregon Election-A Checkmate and
aSurprise.

The news from Oregon puts the Repub-
lican party in position resembling that
of the donkey, renowned in fable, who
found himself between the two bundles
of hay. That venerable descendant, Tor,
perhaps, progenitor) of the animal who
found his tongue when cudgel!ed by Ba-
laam has served many uses in the contro-
versies of the learned. The metaphysi-
cal philosophers have ridden him with
ereat comfort and satisfaction in their
disputes respecting the freedom of the
will. IF the will has no self.determining
power. they say, but is always governed
by the strongest motive, an ass midway
between two bundles of hay of equal size
and quality would be unable to decide
from which of the two he should satisfy
his hunger, and would helplessly flop his
wise ears and starve with abundance of
tempting food on either side. Descend
ing from the barren heights of metaphys-
ical speculation to the soft, enchanting
wales of sentiment, our patient and hon.
est donkey has: served as the emblem of
lovers spell-bound between equal beau
ties. If the donkey between the two
haystacks had possessed the gift of speech
and of song he might have brayed, IN
plaintive strains:
"How happy would be with either
Were 'tother dear charmer away"
This would seem to be the affecting
condition Of the Republican party since
learning the last news from Oregon.
"Issachar is a strong ass COUGHING down
between two burdens"-namely, Oregon
and Florida, the extreme Northwestern
and the extreme Southeastern State. If
the mere certificates are to be regarded
as conclusive, the votes Of Oregon must
be admitted on that footing as we'll as
the votes of Florida. If Congress has no
power to 70 behind the certificates au-
thenticated by the State Executives, the
one Democratic electoral vote from Ore
gon gives Mr.. Tilden the requisite 1876,
and he must be declared elected. II, on
the other hand, Congress can 60 behind
the certificates and decide on their valid
ity, Hayes may get the one disputed vote
in Oregon, and lose the votes of either
Florida, Louisiana or South Carolina.
Whichever horn of the dilemma Issa-
char, couching down between his two
burdens, may take, the result threatens
to be equally fatal. If the mere certifi-
Gates are held to be~6nal, Tilden's cleo
ton is put beyond question; but, if the
origin of the certificates can be investiga-
ted, and their genuineness and legality
reviewed. there is no certainty that Hayes
will retain the electoral votes which have
been 80 long in dispute.
The Republicans have a great deal
more at stake in this controversy as to
the fnality of the certificates than the
Democrats They need all the votes of
the three Southern States and all the
votes of Oregon to give Hayes majority,
whereas the Democrats are safe if they
get either the one Oregon vote, or one
vote from any of the States which have
been so keenly contested. Ifthe Repub.
licans refuse to go behind the certificates,
Tilden is elected; if they consent to 60
behind the certificates they may lose the
Hayes votes in the South. The Repub-
lican donkey stands between these two
bundles Of hay; they are in a dilemma
between Oregon and the South, with an
equal danger Of being gored whether
they, accept one horn Of it or the other.
AM-E Herald. F" 80 :2.' - -;