Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-02-06
Message of the President Approo-
inc the Compromise.

Is the Presidents message concerning the
electoral bill +;
To the Senate OF the United States:
| follow the example heretofore occas-
ionally presented communicating In this
mode my approval of the act to provide
for and regulate the counting OF the vote
for President and Vice President and the
decision OF the questions arising thereon,
because Of my appreciation of the immi-
nent peril to the institutions OF the coun-
try from which, in my judgment, the act
affords wise aud constitutional means
of escape.
For the first time in the history OF our
country, under the Constitution as 1t DOW
is, a dispute exists with regard to the re-
suit of the election of Chief Magistrate CT
the nation. 1t is understood that upon
the disposition of the disputes touching
the electoral votes cast in the late election
by one or more of the states depends the
question whether one or the other OF the
candidates for the Presidency Is the law
full Chief Magistrate. The Importance OF
having clearly aseertained by procedure,
regulated by law, which of the two eiti-
gems has been elected, and Of having the
right OF this high office recognized and
cheerfully agreed in by all the people OF
the Republic cannot be over-estlmated,
aud leads me to express to Congress aud
the nation my great satisfaction at the
adoption of measure that affords an or
deriy means Of decision of a gravely ex-
citing question.
While the history of our country in its
earlier period shows that the President OF
the Senate has counted the votes and de-
clared their standing, our whole history
shows that in no instance o. doubt or dis
pute has he exercised the power Of decid-
inc, and that the two houses of Congress
have disposed of all such doubts and dis
putes, although in no instance hitherto
have they been such that their decision
could essentially have affected the result.
For the first time, then, the government
of the United States is brought to meet
the question rs one vital to the result, and
this under conditions not the best calcu-
lated to produce an agreement or to In
duce a calm feeling in the several bran
ches OF the government or among the peo-
pie Of the country. In case where, as
now, the result is involved it is the high
est duty Of the law-making power to pro-
vide in advance 4 constitutional, orderly
and lust method Of executing the Consti-
tuition in this most interesting and critical
of its provisions. The doing so far from
being a compromise Of right, Is an entor-
cement Of the right aud the execution OF
the powers conferred by the Constitution
on Congress. think that this orderly
method has been secured by the bill which
appealing to the Constitution and the law
as the guide in asserting rights, provides
f.. means Of decision questions OF single re-
turns through the direct action Of Con-
gress, and in respect to double returns by
a tribunal oil inquiry whose decision shall
stand unless both houses Of Congress shall
concur in determining otherwise, thus Sc
curing a definite disposition Of all ques-
tons Of dispute in whatever aspect they
may arise.
With or without this law as all the
states have voted and as a tie vote is I'M
possible it must be that one Of the two
candidates has been elected, and it would
he deplorable to witness an irregular con-
troyersy as to which Of the two should re-
ceive or which should continue to hold
the Office. In all the periods Of history
controversies have arisen az to the sue
cession or choice of the chiefs Of states,
and no party or citizen loving their coan-
try and It's free institutions can sacrifice
too much Of mere feeling 10 preserving
through the upright course Of the law
their country from the smallest danger TO
its peace on such an occasion, and 1t can
not be impressed too firmly in the hearts
Of all the people that true liberty and real
progress can exist only through cheer
ful adherence 10 constitutional law.
The bhl purports to provide only for
the settlement Of questions arising from
the recent election. The fact that such
questions can arise demonstrates the ne
cessity, which | cannot doubt will before
long be supplied, of permanent general
legislation TO meet cases which have not
been contemplated in the constitution or
laws of the country. The bill may not
be perfect and its provisions may not be
such as would be hest applicable to ali
future occasions, but it is calculated to
meet the present condition of the quest
ions and Of the country. 1t needs aid, 1t
desires peace and quiet and harmony be-
tween all parties and all sections. Its in
dustries are arrested, labOrers unemployed,
capital idle and enterprise paralyzed by
reason of the doubt and anxiety attending
the uncertainty of double claim TO the
chief magistracy of the nation. 1t wants
to be assured that the result of the cleo
ton will be accepted without Resistance
from the supporters of the disappointed
candidate and that its highest officer shall
not hold his place with questionable title
Of right. Believing that the bill will Sc
cure these ends l give it my signature.
,Signed,) L. 5. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Jan. %, 1877.
Letters from augusta.
Each OF the legislative committees hs;
made q report and been discharged, and