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

Tho news from Oregon puts the Reput-
lican party ip o position resembling that
OF the donkey. renowned, in fable, who
found himself between the two bundles
of hny. That venerable descendant. Tor.
perhaps, progenitor) of the animal Who
found his tongue when cudgclled by Ba.
laam has served many uses in the contro.
versies of the learned. The metaphysi-
cal philosophers have ridden him will,
great comfort and aatisfaction in thei.
disputes respecting the freedom of the
will. If the will has no selfdetermininp
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 satisfv
his hunger, and would helpIessly flop his
wise earu and starve with abundance of
tempting food Oh either side. Descend
ing from the barren heights Of metaphys-
icai 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. II the. donkey between the two
haystacks had possessed the gift of speech
and of song he might have brayed, IN
pIaintive strains: = '!1i'
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 strong ass conching down
between two burdens" Oregon
and Flocida, the extreme Northwestern
and the extreme Southeastern State. II
the mere certificates are to be regarded
as conclusive, the; votes of Oregon must
90 admitted en- that footing as well as
the votes OF Florida. If Congress has no
power to go behind the certificates nu-
thenticated by the State ESecutiyes the thu
one Democratic electoral vote from, Ore
gon gives Mr.. Tilden the reauiaite I85.
and he must be declared elected. If. on
the other hand, Congress can 90 behind
the certificates and decide on their valid
ity, Hayes may get the one disputed vote
in Oregon, and lose the votes of either
Eioii9r, I0uiois sIis .Of South .Caroiiiiua.
Whichever horn Of the dilemma Issa-
char, COUGHING down between his two
burdens, may take, the result threatens
to be equally fatal. If the mere cert;fi.
Gates are held to be- final, Tilden's cleo
tlop. 10 put beyond question; but, if the
origin OF the certificates can be invsstiga-
ted. and their genu!aeness and legality
reviewed. there Is no certainty that Heyes
wall retain the electoral vnies which have
been SO long, in dispute.
The Republicans. have n great deal
more at stake In this controversy ~ to
the Sfinality OF the certificates than the
i1einoerata.g They need all the votes of
the three Southern States and all the
votes of Oregon to give Hayea majority.
whereas the Democrats are safe IL they;
get either The one Oregon vote, or one
vote from any. Of the States which have
been 80 keenly cnntssted. Iftke Renub.
licans refiise 20 go behind the Certificate.
Iiiden Il elected; if they consent to go
behind the cettiicates they, nay lose Ire
Hayes votes In the South. The Repnb,
lie Iiean an. 3! donkey stands between these tIo M
,'si'!Ie pgaates q nay; they are in q dilemma
equal danger of being gorod whsthe,
thSy g X, asceet one borp Of t. 81 The 6ihst,
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