New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-22
THE ADDRESS.


provide for and regulate the counting OF the votes Tor
President and VicePresdent and the decision OF the
uueson arising thereon forhe term commencing Maich
a. A. d. 1877 Mr.. Edmnnds said
Ma PRESIDENT: As a fitting commencement OF the
consideration Of this bill ask the Secretary TO read the
yIIth Article OF the amendment of the Constitu-
ton of the United States which the bill proposes To exc
cute.
The Secretary then read that article and MI EdmuDds
resuming his remarks said Under this article OF thc
Constitution Mr. President some 100000 or lOoooooo
Of the citizens Of the United states authorized by tho
laws to select chief magistrate in the way IIescIhcd
I'm this article have endeavOred to execute that duty
md by very evenly balanced number OF VOICES "heh
You take them whole, they are understood TO nave
expressed their preference for two different persons rep
resenting opposing politics of egsatios ana OF govern
Isen greater in principle and greater or less Ill
degree that is not necessary for he to reer TO- anu
the contest has been CLOSE, when measured Oy inc
constitutional standard Of voting by states ior
electors, that 1t becomes a matter oi serious os-
pute. either rightly or wrongly, between these
5OOOOOO Of voting citizens on one sue
and 5000 900 upon another express 1t merely IL
round numbers for OF their respect
i've candidates has constitutionaly elected and
without any provision of law Tor the execution OF wnat
remains 10 under the Constitution In aScerhhS
what person has received the highest number of electoral
votes, being n majority OF the whole, we are orousaV
face to face with the question of what means are left FOR
deciding the dispute. Undoubtedly a large portion OF
the people the United States, on either side or the
question sincerely believe that their candidate has been
elected and seriously believe that 1t be not so finally
asrrtaned great wrong will have been doBe NOT only
IN their personal rights and wishes to the cause of
constitutional govern.lent. In this state OF things II
nothing is to be done, II the Constitution does
not point clearly the way We are to lrefd
80 that richt-innded OF all parties
shall understand t alike whichever of these candidates
obtains the actual possession OF executive power Will
itV hp KIDD
a usuper and if there is any duty greater than
another imposed upon those who have The hni cAecu
ton Of what remains TO be done III their hands, IS tat
Of if possible, providing some means That Wheh hcy arc
accomplished matter what may be the result all men
will say have been taken in due course OF law, ana so
that all lust men will say whether their wishes are at
tanned or are disappointed, it is right just as just men IN
the administration of justice VINO look upon tue causes
that they or their neighbors have tried and determined
in constitutional and legal way feel from day TO day
that jury this Judge in the other has not de-
cided rightly. Yet they would defend "ith all theh
power the Judgment that they believed 10 be wrong, be-
cause without that civil institutions cannot exist
IMPORTANCE OF A CALM DECISION.
So then President it appears to US who have been
charged with ths most Onerous and responsible ana IN
pleasant duty that If the Constitution authorized us to
lay down line of procedure that should ne clear and
definite in itself and should lead to any resnand use
the words with debcratiOn, that should lead to any re-
sut-no matter which one, through the calm and or
dery progress % the administration OF law ana through
the calm ami orderly judgment Of tribunal bound by
solemn obligation To decide according 10 the Constitution
and laws it would he benefcent act for the Rcpnhlo
and IT, on thc other hand should fail to 10 this, our
postery under this form OF some other form oil govern
ment mo man can tell which, would feel that we mad
failed IN the hour OF great need in performing PLAIN
duty TAs then, Mr. President, is tbs situation, and
under this state Of things the committee, Win almost
absolute unannity, have reported this bill Opposing
political opinions and opposing political edncallons,
warm wishes aud partisan feeling have subsidized Oh both
sdes and what all VI us-of all opinions, educauons
wishes and feenss-unte in reporting to you as Just
and upright and lawful way, recommend to youreon
sderation What it is that recommend VIII state
CSenator Ednunds here forth and explains the de-
tails Of the b the selection OF the commission ana the
one question to be decided by itWhch is the true and
lawful electoral vote of each disputed State D
WHAT Is To BE DECIDED.
Having thus constituted the tribunal, have commit
ted to them this duty After providing for cases OF va
cancy &C. that 1 need not take yOur time to speak Of
We have committed them this DUTY. Objections nav
ing made to these double returns or ether Of them
in writing in formal NAY slant o grGID %, s
consiGcr the same aud by majority OF votes deeiu'
whether any and what votes IRON amy STATE are tue votes
provided for bv the CONSTITUTION OF the United states
That what they to decide on THESE papers 10 Scr
tain which of the conflicting claimants, you might
saw to the right to exercise voice in the el ctiO the
constitutional Of the state Is not tEat exactly
what the Constitution requires should be- &sceilaheo ~
somebody and in some OF course every one VIII
the question III tne case Oh ulHpdtc
and that none other is cOneelNable. Nna"Np cyh'i
toial vote state in this Union as sent 70 yoa me CO..
sttutiOn declares shah have It's weight, without ING
right OF anybody TO Impusn or to di.T3=afd
II. So say, the sole question under the COns' uo
f., what is the constitutional vote of The STATE ana "h
is the power IL any oI Tie two presensi mat Speaas lc
constitutional vote ~ that stat" according 10 ne nethOds
prescribed by Constitution itself Then II proceeds
10 say, anu how nlany ana %9at PEI sons we're Gy a.
Of ali eecos sSPo ut 10 e
tivcs is called uuOn by the Constitution 10 exercise INC
Junction clecting tie President Of tue United States;
and So il was thought necessary that this tribunal having
these papers il should make distinct report upon
or course tie words what persons" would have ant
exactly the same without the other words because
The other, the aper would show which were tho drs"s
who we're named in IT, bat rs mere mater OF con
yCncnUe Of phTaseOlogy the language Is IN
THE SCALES or JUSTICE ~ EQUIPOIsE.
Then it provides what has been greatly criticised
upon both partisan view of the subectf
may that phrase without Ofcnse to anybody ana
think may, for L partisan mysclf-then II pro- |
yides has been the subject Of criticism apd equally
intense, far havo observed. from bota points OF
view Those who wish one OF TIE chndidales fIecttd
condemn il because II grants too much THOSE VINO |
wish another Of the candidates elected condemn u Ih
equally fierce terms because u grants 700 niue ~ hnds
alf the scale Of justice IN absolute equpose ana gives
nothing TO eitLcr what does II say ana my he!.
H." That is the decision which Is commttedt tIeIn
~ 20 what is the constitutional vote OF Stc rake
into view such petitions depostons' ana olhet paper
If any shall by tho Constitution ana no" cASthS law
BE- competent and pertinent ID suche0nsdrratio lhcrc
IS party In this couniryhve millions Of ines yoisrs
whom have reieITed-wbo desire 90 not say ,hey
think 10 can but who desire that the cCnIis-
sion il created, shall descend below the action
~ the State authorities. and ascertain how many |
votes were given for this and thai man,
aud the other. with view, OF oonLfS, 70
that The other i've millions taxing men as
in the same way desire iha Az ns c, LAW s o inc I a
thores OF STATE be that action right or wrong lawful
IN that state 81 pSs OF e OF ses
and far play but VI constitutional law tuat WVuu aPpJ