Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-12-28
THEY WON'T FIGHT.
Gen. 10. Shelby Says the South
erners Will Not Take Up
Arms For Tilden.
IF There is to be ANY Fighting They are
Ready to Respond to President
Grants Gall.
A Talk About the Situation by an Ex-Con.
federate Leader.


federate Leader.
ST. Louis Globe Democrat Learn.
ing that Gen. 10. Shelby was in the
city, and stopping at the Planters
House, a Globe-D Democrat reporter
called on him yesterday evening to
obtain his views concerning the i'm
pending political crisis Gen. Shelby,
besides having been one of the most
effective and BRILLIANT cavalry leaders
in the Confederate army, is repre-.
sentative Missourian and staunch
Democrat, and may be justly consid-
cred 20 reflect the views of very
large class of Democratic citizens of
this and other States. He voted for
Gen. Grant against Mr.. Greeley, but
in the late canvass he was an ardent
supporter for Tilden, and did much
to pile up the usual "beastly ma
jority" for Democracy in Missouri.
IN PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Gen. Shelby is not unlike J. E. B.
Stuart, the shape of his head pre-
senting considerable resemblance and
his manners of speech being much
akin to that Of the chlvalric Jeb.
Had Shelby been situated as Stuart
was, he would undoubtedly have
reaped similar fame, though this
does not imply by any means that
his fame was second in brilliancy to
that of Lees great cavalryman.
Shelby is little short and stocky,
as Grant is, but nevertheless has Q
look of dash about him that
none but trained leader of horse
men could possess. In appearance
he is at once the cool strategist and
the impetous Observation-Disclosures
and sure in planning, but swift and
irresistible in execution. In the ex-
preston of opinion, Shelby has
always been notable fearless. He was
never lured by the seductions of of
fee. The party dash had no terrors
for him, and at home, 10 Lafayette
County, he has never failed to cem-
mand the respects of both parties.
Thu General during half-hour's
conversation expressed q number of
opinions upon public affairs which
will be of special value and Interest
at this critical junctnre. He was
profoundly convinced that the coun.
try was approaching a very serious
crisis, and that it would require the
exercise of much cool judgment, and
great deal of sectional and party
frobearance, to prevent an armed
conflict. The difficulty with which
we are confronted was undoubtedly
of such o nature as was not antici-
pated by the makers of the constitu-
ton, and unfortunately, that instru-
ment did not point out a clear and
unmistakable method of settlement.
The most extraordinary problem in
politics ever presented for solution
to the American people was now be-
fore Congress- with the chances much
in favor of radical and uncomprom-
ising difference between the two
houses. The probabilities now seem
to be in favor of the House decar-
ing 10 favor of Tilden and the SEN
ate in favor of Hayes. In such
contingency it would be necessary
for the Executive branch of the Gov
eminent to espouse one side or the
other, and that espousal should be
decisive with
THE PEOPLE.
"Do you mean to say, Gen. Shelby,
that if the President of the Senate,
after opening and counting the cleo
toral votes, declares Hayes elected,
and the House should pronounce IN
favor of Tilden, the President shall
act as umpire?"
"Bv all means. The course OF the
Executive branch Of the Government
should and will undoubtedly be de-
cisive, in the event of such dis
pute. If the Senate declares Hayes
elected, and President Grant con-
ducts him into the Capitol, insuring
his inauguration by an Intervention
of the army and navy power, there
is nothing left. but for the people to
submit. 1t is impossible TO tell who
is elected. Although | supported Til
den with great heartiness, | am not
among those who assert that there is
no sort of doubt about his election.
TlLDEN
has the name of being great organ
izer, and perhaps is. bat it occurs to
me that it. was not remarkable ex-
hibition of able leadership to permit
so many ineligible men to creep 10
among his electors. On the other
hand. there is little to be said in be-
half OF Hayes as leader, as think
that if he or Tildeu had been careful
politicians, they would have seen to
it that none of their electors were
debarred by constitutional provis-
ions from the Electoral College. At
all events, will say this that If
President Grant concludes to sus-
tain Mr.. Tilden, | am with him if
he upholds Hayes, | am with him. l
consider that 10 the event OF dlsa-
greement between the two houses OF
Congress on this subject, he is the
decisive author, and that to oppose
Executive action will be rebellion. L
was for rebellion once, but am not
now. |, in common with other, Con-
federates, was induced to go into
- oo,taa4 Cor IN hot Ua conceived