The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-02-22
TIE COMMISSION AND IT'S CONSE.
QUENCES.

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TIE COMMISSION AND ITS CONSE.
QUENCES.
We were never among the ardent nd
'nirers of the Electoral Commission
scheme, and, although it passed both
Houses Of Congress amid perfect whirl-
wind of popular appreciation, it contained
features calculated 60 alarm the obaery.
ant mind by threatening the destruction
of the constitutional provision for de.
claring the Presidential election. The
bill set ut defiance all the prccedcnts of
the past century, and launched the craft
OF State upon untried waters amid the
greatest storm of pelitical passion and
prejudice which has ever stirred the
American mind or blunted the A Americun
conscience. 1t was dangerous expsri-
ment, and viewed in its most favorable
aspect was but compromise, and its re-
suit shows to the country additional eyi.
dcnce of the misfortunes which follow
from compromise Of political principle.
1t forme another Of the unfortunate con.
ces'ions which have been made In our
nation'a history, and as usual the South
has been the prominent party In the ad-
justinent. In the Missouri Compromise,
Of which the iilustrious Clay was the
champion and author, Southern IL men con-
coded what they termed compromise Of
the slavery question by the terms Of
which slavery was prohibited to exist
north of q fixed geographical line. The
aboiitionista OF course accepted ii, US 1t
ensured them control of certain section
beyond recall while It did not proh;hi.
efforts to extend their principles by legis.
lation as to other territory. In other
words they made clear gain without
any impeachment for further acquisitions.
The sequel 10 too well known to need
comment from us. The Electoral Bill 10
q measure which will be parallel blum.
der in history to the Missouri Compro.
mise. The Democrats knowing that Til
den and Hendricks weie fairly elected
had to anrrender their rights by propos-.
Ing TO arbitrate them. The Republicans,
feeling that they wese beaten. were Of
coprse willing to arbitrale, fer il the de-
cision vent against chem they did not
lose any thiug, while Nit resulted favor
ably for them they gained everything.
The Democratic Congressman were fool
ishly predigal of the rights of their party,
for WHiio they granted the Republicans
the msjority on the commission they did
not even insert asclanss in the bin re-
quiring the commission TO hear The whole
case. lThsghaye heen oRewitted by the
Republicans, andlthid ineasure, like che
Missouri Compromise, resulted in the de-
straction of the .princinle,it wns intended
to establish.
There ID noI satety in compromise OF
and Whenever nation resorts
to arbitration for she settlement Of vexed
tie security OF the goyernmsnt
itself is endangered. In private differ.
enees nm arbitration Is not so objection.
able, because men untonheeted and
interested with either contestant can be
found, but when Il co,neA to Tho .; srsat 81
questions which agitate a nation every
man has his opinion. aud tl,e; reference Of
such! q question iq simply a resort to lot
terry na to who shall get;t6s ,ldrrest mum
,e.. 4 ef .S , rtisAs Y ,nn,i hoard of athii.
tratioh; Such hs9 Been the result bf the
~ heE moment
'ndgs Bradley WAS seleetedt the Prebldea-
,ial question wEa sestied. fA throw 6F|
lice would have been as equitable and