Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-02-02
Important Testimony.

Here is what so conservative a paper as
Harpers Weekly says of the commission to
decide the presidential question. When we
bear in mind that in age; in experience,
which gives wisdom as we'll as sobriety; in
patriotic fervor; in political sagacity; in
thorough acquaintance with the history, insti-
tuition, habits and temperament Of the Amer
lean people, as we'll as in the broad cath
olicity, thorough-going maniness, uusullied
reputation and sterling integrity of personal
character, the writer, George William Curtis,
is at the very head of the large brotherhood
of journalists in this country, these words Of
his have a significance and weight beside
the impassioned strains of the Tribune, or
the partisan bitterness of the Times, and the
responsive barkings Of the smaller fry all
over the land. The three congressman from
Vermont in solemn dignity as they thought
voted against the measure some men cannot
comprehend the Importance of an era-it is
their misfortune There is no warmer advocate
Of Hayes in the Union than Mr.. Curtis, but
he is willing to leave the decision to this
tribunal Of abitrament. As Mr.. Seeley sug.
gested, after our national difficulty with
Great Britain was settled by arbitration,
what shame and reproach that We cannot
rise to the dignity of settling party strife
by the same methods. Read and ponder
we'll Mr.. Curtis words:
The true course is to do what the commit
tee have done-to provide fair and reason.
able settlement of the present emergency,
to prevent by this impartial reference the
dangers against which Mr.. Morton has sol.
EMMY warned the country, and to regard the
plan suggested as provisional, pending a
thorough consideration and settlement OF n
scheme for the presidential election in the
light Of the experience of nearly century
Such scheme would at once become most
pressing duty; and the action of the joint
committee, the fact that even in the midst
Of party fury the substantial unanimous
presentation OF so temperate and judicious
an adjustment is possible, is the best augury
Of wise and satisfactory project. The final
scheme would, Of course, be contained in a
constitutional amendment. The plan now
suggested is law which would hold until re-
pealed by congress. The objections to it, so
far as they involve such questions as the
authority of the two houses over the elector.
al vote and the participation of the judges
in tho final decision, would be fully consid-
cred in maturing a new electoral scheme.
The great and conclusive consideration now
is that the essential point for the existing
emergency point which was generally be.
lieved to be as unattainable as it was desir.
able, the point Of agreement by the two par.
ty committees-has been tremendously rea oh.
ed. Very able and trustworthy and expert,
enced men Of both parties were appointed
upon the committees, and the committe
have agreed. The two houses will hardly
fail to agree, knowing as they do the univer,
sal desire Of the great mass of intelligent
industrious aud loyal citizens that they shall
agree. And the result of such an agreement
would be an inoaloulable national blessing
not because Of the final elevation of this o.
that man, but because Of its illustration o
the ability Of American republicans an'
American democrats tremendously to dispos
of situation which imperied human libert.
and progress.