Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-29

Inc Attltu0e OIL Tic DtMvNfseSs
d. W. Bartlett, the correspondent OF the
New York Independent, writes as follows
from Washington:
The defeat of Mr.. Edmunds's proposition
to refer the election of President to the Su-
premc Court, as | have said, was expected.
Probably it should fail; for it could not
have failed to make the court over into
political body. But the vote is significant.
Only one Democrat voted for it; but thir-
teen Of the ablest Republicans In the Senate
supported it, which is evidence that tLsy Ie-
gard the situation as exceedingly grave, OF
they would not propose such an extraordi-
nary remedy When men of the position
and abilities of Messrs. Edmunds, Conkling,
Frelinghuys sen. and Blaine propose to ask
the Supreme Court to decide who was elect
ed President it Indicates, beyond DOUBT
that the conflict of opinion Is very serious
But do not interpret the vote as indicating
that the Republican Senators who supported
the Einunds proposition are commit'ed
against the theory that, in an emergency,
the President Of the Senate may not count
the Electoral vote. They wish to try every
possible method of compromise; and, IL
| the Democratic House will not compro-
mise, they may then fall back upon the
doubttrl right # the acting Nice-President
| 10 count TIE votes and declare the result. L
cannot discover the slightest disposition
among Democrats in Congress To compro-
mise. They insist that Gov. TIlden has
been elected, and that in some way ne shall
| be inangurated. | have not doubt that
] L. lr- r,.nl x,l n
not obtain their ENDS in any other way, that
the House Of Representatives shall elect MI
/ Tilden President. If it should really come
TO the existence OF two Presidents, tley du
not really intend Il resort - arms MT.
| Tilden Is too cautious and timid Tor that
but he NAV find it too late 10 restrain his
more ardent followers Que thing is certain
two r-en would not long lay claim 20 TIE
| Presidential Office without an outbreak. Ii
is to prevent such a calamity that pIen like
| Mr.. Edmgnds and Mr.. Conkiing and Mr..
| Blaine are seeking some means TO decide
( the contest bv the concurrent action nj the
| two Houses but 50 far they have received
no support from the Democrats.
The Providence Journal, controlled by
Senator Anthony, comments as follows on
the attitude of the Democrats
While the Congressional Investigations
respecting the appointment OF Electors IN
several States is going on; while the whole
| question i undecided, but apparently IN the
way of being decided under the forms and
in consOnance with law, the Northern De
mocracy are assuming that Its side is right,
that the decision Will be against it and Is
Irt pairing for action Of character which IT
/ does not define. and Of which it is only
known that it is based upon falsehood, and
| looks to, if it shall not result in, disorder
and violence On the other hand the Re
| publican party, quite as fixed in Its belief
that it has elected its President a its adver-
! saries in their conviction, is awaiting fur
Their evidence, is quietly abiding the decision
OF law, ard i determined to aoquiesce IN
the verdict of the constituted authorities.
The attitude Of the two parties is as signif-
cant a- ii Is marked. The Democrats seem
10 be carried away with the idea that they
can elect a President in mass meetings, or
inaugurate one not elected, in q corner.
| The Republicans, certainly solicitOus, as
I suredly III grave earnest, are looking to the
proofs. t. the Constitution and TO the judg
ment OF law As the only and sufficient critic
rions BY which to be guided. While it can
not be denied that the conduct Of the North
ern Democrats = both injurious and annoy
ing, We have confidence that it Will prove
only a temporary evil. 1t never will secure
the elevation to the Presidency OF man
not constitutiOnally chosen.
Further. sensible and conservative men
! all uver the country and Of all shades OF
opinion, " Ill come to see thar the threats Of
disturbance are made only by one class, the
Democrats. Now tie people are sensible
and thev are honest. They may, for the
time being, be carried away by PARTY feeling
! but We have had the fullest evidence that
when the life or peace Of the nation j.
wrongiully threatened, they viii, in over
whelmlng majority, fv to il rescue. While,
therefore, it would be idle 10 ignore the
attitCde Of portion OF the Northern
Democracy, it by 10 means follows that
ANYTHING more, OF ally greater evil need he
/ apprehended ihereirOm than ensues newt
ably from uncertainty and buster As We
| have all along said, and most FIRMLY believe
there Will be no armed violence. The
| President declared elected will be inaugurat-
ed, the noisy rartisans will subside into
| their chronic state of fault-fndiug, and the
administration of the government will 20 On
peaceably and successfully. Then business
will revive, capital will find remuneratiyC
employment, and the nottingham will
have enough to do at fair wages. AL the
/ trouble there j. now Is caused hy the un'
patriotic Democrats, ard their power for IL
! H. fortunately limited