, 1876-11-12
be continued in power under their commissions

be continued in power under their commission
until their successors hare been qualified BY
taking the oath. For this theory there is so dis
tinguished authority as Caleb Gushing, United
States Minister to Spain. He is at present here
in the city on business relating to the Spanish
Mission. He has been willing to express his
views upon the grave questions which now Of
cupy public attention. Upon them he, in sub
stance, says: The Constitution KNOWS nothing
of parties. Party conventions arc wholly out
side Of tho Constitution. No act OF
theirs has any legal effect. The Demo
cratic party, as such, can only act through
the Constitution. The possible danger, If any,
in the supposed state of things, is to be found
in the possible action Of the twoH Houses Of Con-
grcss, or rather that Of the present House OF
Representatives with Its decisive Democratic
majority. There may be conflict Of opinion.
and action between the Senate and House of
Representatives that would constitute
AVERY SERIOUS DIFFICULTY.
It is possible, though in my opinion altogcth-
er improbable, that the 4th OF March next may
arrive without lawful declaration Of the cleo
ton OF . new President in conformity
with the prescription Of the Constitution.
For that contingency, no provision is made by
the Constitution can imagine several rem
edies growing out Of the necessity Of things,
but all Of them extra constitutional. don't
believe however, that any such contingency
will arise. The people Of the United States are
habituated to the practice OF self-govcrnment.
We have had civil war On a large scale once,
but that Was entered upon deliberately md on
full consideration, through the action Of the
State Governments Of separate States Of the
Union.
THERE AND THERE ONLY
lies the danger OF civil var in the United States,
or Of any other effective action towards break
ing up the machinery Of the Government Of the
United States. Once; at least, in the history Of
the United States, it occurred that twcnty-four
hours elapsed after the death Of one President
aud before the accession Of another. During
those twenty-four hours the Government went
on smoothly enough in the hands Of the heads
Of the Departments. If it can do SO twcnty-four
hours, it can do SO twcnty-four days or weeks.
It is true the case never has occurred Of the
President holding over, but that would
be murh less departure from form
than the non-existence of an executive
head Of the Government. Just as it is said that
o,.,.'.,.1s =. -' ~ e1.N 'a'1'
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'"'o1 ~ '"e o'ate CONSTITUTIONS h'isnt "cll
sone ~ ~ 'nse eucn ;lii a'hpl"ot'on. IN mat
= :, GU us1' otate "ou1o con1lnue 10 exercise
nc tunee'ons VI itcs'''ent.
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'on u the eohstltot1on' reply That It would |
~
CONSTITUTION
~ "AA*'t''' s'0' ~ o1e''"cu III SeItaliA eoHtIH-
.cncles, easy to suppose, toat Ghe Government !