, 1877-03-17

ought to be strictly observed The policy In
augurated to my honored predecessor, Presi-
dent Grant, ofsubmitting to arbitration grave
questions in dispute between ourselves and
foreign powers. points to new and incom-
parably the hest instrumentality for the pre-
servation Of peace, and will, as | believe, be.
come the beneficial example of the course to
be pursued in similar emergencies by other ma
tiOns. If unhappily, questions OF difference
should at any time during the period of my nd
min-tation arise between the United States
and any foreign government 1t will be my dis
position and my hope to aid in their settle
ment in the same peaceful and honorable way,
thus securing to our country the great bless
ings of mutual good offices with all the nations
0f the world.
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
We have reached the close Of political con
test marked with the excitement which usual
ly attends between great political parties,
whose members espOuse and advocate with
earnest faith their respective creed5. The cir
cumstances were, perhaps In no respects eX-
traOrdinary, save In the clOseness and conse-
quent uncertainty Of the result. For the first
time in the history of the country, it has been
deemed best, In view Of the circumstances OF
the case that the objections in dispute, with
should be referred to the decision Of tribunal
appointed for this purpose. That tribunal, es-
mblished by law for this sole purpose, its
members, all of them Of long established rep.
utation for integrity and intelligence, and
with the exception of those who are also mem
bers of the Supreme Judiciary chosen equally
from both political parties to the deliberations
enlightened by the research and the argu-
mentS of able counsel, was entitled to the full'
est confidence Of the American people, lis
decisions have been patiently waited for, and
accepted as legally conclusive by the general
Judgment of the public. For the present,
opinion will widely vary us to the wisdom OF
the several conclusions announced by that
tribunal. This is TO be anticipated l. every
instance where matters of dispute are made
the subject of arbitration under the forms Of
law Human judgement Is never unerring,
and is rarely regarded as otherwise than wrong
by the unsuccessful party In the contest. The
fact that two great political parties have, In
this way, settled disputes in regurd to when
good men differ as TO the law no less than US
to the proper course TO De persued in solving
the question in controversy, Is an occasion for
general rejoicing. Upon one point there Is
entire unanimity in public sentiment that the
conflicting claims to the Presidency must be
peaceably and amicably adjusted, and that
when 80 adjusted the general acqulescence ol
the nation ought surely to follow. 1t has been
reserved for government fthe people where
the right of suffrage is universal to give to the
world the first example in history Of great
nation in the midst OF a struggle Of opposing
parties for power, hushing its party tumults,
" yield the issue OF the contest to adjustment
according to the forms OF law, looking for the
guidance of that divine hand by which the
destinies OF nations and individuals are shaped.
| call upon you, Senators, Representatives
Judges, fellow citizens, here aud everywhere
to unite with me u earnest effort to secure to
our country the blessings, not only of mater
ial prosperity, but of justice, peace and union;
a union depending not upon the cons traint OF
force, but upon the loving devotion Of free
people that all things may be SO ordered and
SO tied upon the best and tirmest foundations,
that peace and happiness. truth and justice,
religion and piety, may be established among
US for all generations.