New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-24
THE WEST AND THE EAST.

The extraordinary and unnecessary as
sault made by Senators Conkling and Ed
munds upon the usage of century can
be accounted for on but one supposition.
1t is that New York and New England are
not willing to see the patronage of the
government pass into Western administra-
ton. The decided action and elaborate
speeches of these gentlemen render it
probable that the electoral bill was sug-
gested and framed with a view to their
support They have certainly stepped on
the quarter deck and taken command so
soon as it was launched and fitted for
service. We do not say that these Sena-
tors have gone back on the Repub-
lican party. They have reversed the
action of the government, and aided in
usurpation of power by the legislative
department which the constitution never
intended. They have substituted the
umpirage of one man called Judge, I'M
der the obligation of an extra Judicial and
therefore empty oath, in place of sworn
officer who, George Washington certified,
was chosen ''for the sole purpose of re-
ceiving, opening and counting" the cleo
toral vote, and from whose umpirage
George Washington received his commits
mission as the first President of the
United States. We do not intimate that
Senators Edmunds and Conkling may not
have differed honestly from their party,
but we can not see that they have been
justified in aiding to get up and put
through scheme which may defeat the
will OF the people, and, under pretext of
securing peace, to awaken an excitement
greater than that which they propose to
allay.
The fate of the electoral bill is at the
moment uncertain. The Democratic jour
nails which two days since affected to be
sanguine of it's success seem suddenly
struck with doubt, and the extremely reti-
cent reports of Congressional opinions
would induce us to believe that the bill is
regarded by the Republicans as q special
phase of that conspiracy which has made
a solid South, and bulldozed Republican
Legislatures and spread the net of this
bill to catch the doubts or designs of 9
few hating Republicans. In this view
the passage of the electoral bill is in
doubt Senators Whyte, of Maryland,
and Stevenson, of Kentucky Demo.
crats), last session distinctly claimed
the power of the Senate Presi
dent to count the electoral vote
Should they stand by their position, they
can not vote for the bill 1t is not sup
posed that Senators Edmunds and Conk
ling will carry off other Republicans. II
the House the Democracy is triumphant
and taunt the Republicans with al
abandonment of the powers heretofor,
assumed for Congress.
We can see little other motive for tn,
course pursued by the eminent Repub
lican Senators, except that which deter
mined the whole railroad system at tn,
North to support Mr.. Tilden. 1t il
an apprehension that the West will Sc
itself free from Eastern dictation; unde
other circumstances it would be supposed
that New Orleans would have sided will
the West Party discipline and dictation
however, render this at present impos
sible. The Democracy has deserted it
natural allies to go over to its commercial
rivals and enemies. Anyway, the tw
great sections are now in open combat
We are with the West.