The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-20

& me -, f,,viI peace Settlement.

vOsYiup any serious QiHetsHcss ~ oHiN..'ssNsea
was ever more happily disposed OF than Is
Tho s,,,essson Of this day proposed TO 30 by
the Nan OF settlement Just ported to Con-
grass by the committees on the counting OF
the electoral vote. Il viii have = popular
ity poportionate to its wisdom ana e aa.F-
ness, and will be as certainly adopted ny
Congress- as It is possible for any human
event vet TO occur; to be. It cannot be re-
3ected. Neither party dare retecs ". nof
do we think the President can possibly aus
approve Of it. The pressure rom all sue
IL too great to permit 1t to fail. II is essen,
sial to prevent consequences Of uniimieeu
evil from disagreement between the Senate
and House in counting the electoral Vo.e'
and the whole country Is so earnest IN &c.
manaiag that these evils shall be avoided lS ee'
that no representative or official 1orce Gun
stand against the demand.
washington rumors indicate that there
will be opposition to the plan. OF course
that Is inevitable, A number OF gentie-
men talk ioosely--one don't know, another
don't like, and another may or may not,
and Mr. Cox, OF New York, don't l,te know
about q them fellows" and all that Inc
most. of them are like horses that go to lie
down: they must turn around several
times before they do so. Have you not be
held in early spring mornings the numbers r
OF believed spider-wcbs said to be strewn
by the witches through the forest9 And
vet they are almost the certain tokens OF
brilliant day. So the party gossip is bang
ing Its webs about, which are but little more
durable than the dew. and are to be
succeeded by the bright sunshine OF
harmony. The fact is, members OF Congress
don't always like to talk decidedly until
thev hear how their constituents talk, and
then they leap right out into the ring. Rely
upon it that the constituent communities OF
every part OF the United States will most
heartily approve the "plan" as avoiding
consequences all the more fearful because
indefnable, and because it reissues the
public and reinspircs business and all pur-
suits OF life. The constituency will soon
decide the undecided. There is too much
practical wisdom amongst people to permit
them to be Indifferent to the disasters that
might follow indecision now.
Judge EDAUNDs, in laying the report De-
fore the Senate, made q few remarks that
were excellent He characterized the report
as not compromise but "measure OF
iustice.' And, although we have used the
word " compromise" we recognize the COT
rectness OF Mr. EpMUNDs's declaration that
nobody's opinions orviews have been sur
rendered in any substantial respect; but
that "it is a measure of constitutional Jus
"tice for the preservation Of the peace and
"order of the Government" And that is
exactly what it is. -.-....,..
The great cause OF JOY at the measure is
that itasserts the supremacy Of civil authori-
ty and popular opinion over force under
circumstances so important that it must be-
come precedent invaluable to public
liberty. While Il it were not adopted we
are certain that the presidential election
would be determined by force, and that
would become the precedent fatal to repub-
licanism and the rule of popular opinion.
The question presented is absolutely the Sc
lection between this measure and the deci-
sion by the President and the forces at his
command.
It is the turning point for the country.
II we pass 1t with the exclusive aid and
direction Of law and civil process the dure-
ton OF republican liberty is guaranteed for
long time. But If arbitrary power and
force seize upon the country in its dilemma
allis lost. We can entertain no faith in the
durability of any desirable rule. The prom
Use OF protection and order for the encour-
agement Of the pursuits of life will be
continually obscured by the clouds OF
uncertainty.
We believe firmly that many will oppose
the measure because they prefer that in
tervention OF violence which at this time
is the only hopefor the perpetuation OF the
Radical party. When those who are OPP
posed to that party join in opposition
to the measure they are helping to per-
petuate the party they oppose; for as sure
as the measure fails that inevitable "dis-
agreement" between the Senate and the
House must follow, and this will inaugurate
violence, the arbitrary disposal of the ques-
ton Of the presidency, and acertain cor.
tinuation Of the usurpation OF the. powers
of Government which has brought upon us
alttour troubles. -. "a 2
This would be surrendering victory for
the. q peace and order OF Government and
submitting to the triumph of usurpation
and force!
The bill for euacting the grand measure
for the national presery alton is simple and
Just, and il contains the salutary evidences
OF the patriotic sincerity of its. trainers in
the provisions which are incorporated in it
for the purpose Of expediting the proceed
ing Of counting the electoral vote, and de
Gliding who is elected. It puts the meeting
Of the two houses for the count about two
weeks in advance Of the usual time !; and it
limits debate and places conditions upon
motions which show the earnest desire to
expedite proceedings, and put the election
OF President beyond the danger Of violent
interference by unauthorized persons. i, i.
It is the grandest measure for the country
that could be desired. fSt &e@3 4
The Walks in the Square. /,
The walks In the Capitol Square ought by
all means to he Improved. Near JAcKsoN's'
.