, 1877-02-18

therefore, that the proposed action OF the
House in electing President by call OF
the States would be revolutionary. Behind
all these was the vast army Of oflce-seeke1s
and oaiceholders, clamorous for whatever
action would give them hope or promise OF
being pcnsioned On the Government. Both
parties were being precipitated into rash and
revolutionary measures. Both we're "rons'
Both claimed powers which we're outside
of the Constitution, and which were inde-
fensible. Both we're rushing to tormai
declaration of the election Of Presldent oy
unconstitutional action. Each party hao
ssthe game in its own hands, )" from pnrty
point Of view, and each WAS preparing to
make sure Of that game. The result was lo-
evitable. On the day fixed for counting tho
notes.-the 18th Of February-there would
have been two Presidents declared elected !;
aud today, from Maine to Texas, from Flor
ida to far-of Oregon, men would be busy
preparing for the arbitrament Of power oy
force. The people of Louisiana would BY
this time be cutting throats, and the long
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be let loose. The State Governments OF the
other fifteen States Of the South would be at
the service of TnDEs to support his Presi-
dency. Oregon, Connecticut, New York,
New Jersey, and Indiana, would all recog-
nize and espouse, through their Executives,
the cause of T11pEN The House Of Repre-
sentatives-the immediate representatives OF
the people and one branch of Congress
would recognize T1LDEN as the lawfully
chosen President. On the other hand, the
majority in the Senate would recognize
HAYES nd:oppose T1pEN. The other seven
teen Northern States, being in the control of
Republican Governments, would all recog-
nizo HAYES, and would support him. In
each State there would be n minority, nearly
Us numerous as the majority, in violent OPP
position to the State Government and
in support Of the adverse President
Local elections all over the country
would turn on the election Of Off
GERS supporting TnDEH or HAYES It
would not be three months before the whole
country would be in all the blaze and fury
of bitter, malicious civil war. Law and au-
thority would be para1yzedL Crime would
enlist under the banners Of the opposing
forces, and life and property would share the
consequences Of anarchy. Business would
be at an end Riots and plunder would be
general and al for the want of an author
lied tribunal to decide question Of law.
Instead of this horrible condition of af-
4o -, @he e
this Court OF Arbitration, the peaceful, legal
determination Of the whole controversy. We
bayo escaped the revolutionary election OF
T11pEs BY the House of Representatives,
and trS revolutionary election Of HAYES by
the President of the Senate. We have es-
capped the calamity of tho election of
two Presidents, and divided Con-
gress and divided country on that
subject. We have escaped political dis
order and confusion, paralyzation of the
Government, and the substitution of anarchy
for law. We have secured peace. We have
erected law, and to the decision of law the
whole country submits, and the nation moves
on as safely and securely as if no danger had
threatened its peace and stability. Under
the circumstances of peaceful and united
country, as the result Of this arbitration, the
indignant declarations Of the Democrats and
Republicans who few weeks ago were
shouting, "We.:wash our hands Of all respon-
sibility for this measure, appear in all their
criminal stupidity, and the American people
who are not oficeho1derB or ofdce~seekers
have cause to thank the wisdom and the
patriotism of tho men who devised this
scheme Of peace and union, and the ST.
preu,acy Of law.