Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-03-13


powers, points to new and incempara
bly, the best instrumentality for tn
preservation of peace, and will, as be
lieve, become beneficent example o
the course to be pursued In similar emer
gencies by other nations.
If, unhappily, questions of differenc
should at any time during the period o
my administration arise between tn
United States and any foreign Govern
ment, 1t will certainly be my disposition
and my hope to aid in thoir settlemen
in the same peaceful and honorable way
thus securing to our country the grea
blessin gs OF peace and mutual good of
fees with all the nations of the world
Fellow-citizens, we have reached th,
close of political contest marked by
the excitement which usually attends
the contests between great political par
ties whose members espeuse and advo
cate with earnest faith their respective
creeds. The circumstances were per
haps in no respect extraordinary, saw,
in the cl0senees and the consequent un
Fcertaiuty Of the fE1ult.
For the first time in the history of tn.
country it has been deemed best, in view
of the peculiar
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE,
that the objections and questions in dis
pute with reference to the counting o1
the electoral votes should be referred tc
the decision of a tribunal appointed fol
that purpose; that tribunal established
by law for this sole purpose. with its
members, all of them of long established
reputation for integrity and intelligence
and, with the exception of those
who are also members of the supreme
judiciary, chosen equally from both po.
litical parties, its deliberations enlight-
ened by the research and the arguments
Of able counsel, was entitled to the fullest
confidence of the American people.
It's decisions have been patiently wait.
ed for and accepted as legally conclusive
by the general Judgment of the public.
For the present opinion will vary as to
the wisdom of the several conclusions
announced by that tribunal. This is ia
be anticipated in every instance where
matters of dispute are made the subject
Of arbitration cnder the forms of law
Human judgment is never unerring,
and rarely regarded as otherwise
than wrong by the unsuccessful party
in the contest. The fact that two great
political parties have in this way settled
a dispute in regard to which good men
differ as to the facts and as to the proper
course to be pursued in solving the ques-
ton in controversy, is an occasion for
generafrejoicing. Upon one point there
is entire unanimity in public sentiment
that conflicting claims to the presi-
deney must be
AMICABLY ADJUSTED,
and tha' when so adjusted the general
acquiescence of the nation ought surely
to follow.
It has been reserved for o government
of the people where the right of suffrage
is universal to give to the world the first
example in history of great nation, In
the midst of struggle of opposing par
ties for power, hushing its party tumults
to yield the issue of the contest to ad-
tustment according to the forms of law.
Looking for the guidance of that Di-
vine hand by which the destinies of ru-
lers and individuals are shaped, call
upon you, Senators, Representatives,
Judges, fellow-citizens, here and every
where, to unite with me in an earnest
effort to secure to our country the b]es-
sings not only of material prosperity,
but of justice, peace, and union--a Union
depending not upon the censtraint OF
force, but upon the loving devotion of a
free people. land that all things may be
so ordered and settled upon the best and
surest foundations that peace and hap
mess, truth and justice, religion and
piety, NAV be established among us for
all generations"