Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-02-13
The virginia Speeches.

Daring the debate 10 the u. S. House Of
Representatives, yesterday, Oh the acceptance
of the report Of the Electoral Commission,
Mr.. Fucker, Of firroja, said he did GOT pro.
pose to crltitlsc, much less 10 censure the ac-
ton Gi any member Of tho Commission, but he
did propose TO crlicise its judgment. The
members Of that Commission have taken an
oath to raDler judgment according to the Con-
stlutOu ard law. The Commission, in pass
ing on-hlc eligibility Of Humphrey, had de-
clioel to pass 90 the question Of the validity
of the vote Of in incompetent Elcctor Did
the Commission mean to decide that the in
eligibility Of al Eiector was to have no effect
on the validity Of his vote? II the State ap.
pointed an ineligible Elector, vas be, notWth-
standing, to be declared by The Comm isson
and hy the two Houses to be a competent
Elactor, and his vote to be a valid vote? IF
So, then the act Of the Canvassing Board Of
State was valid, aud The Constitution, quoad
hoe, was V0ld.
In regard to the main question the decision
Of the Commission Was 10 tho effect that the
ouIy voice permitted to speak for State in the
matter Of Presidential election was the voice
Of clngissDg Board aud of al executive, and
Iaturc must be hushed into silence before the
omnipotent voice Of canVassne board aud
executive. He cOutended that all the organ
ism of State must speak it, voice Lut the
Commission had decided that the only organ
ism to speak was the organism Of the Canvass
ing Board and the Executive.
Mr. Walker, Of Va, said that be was onc Of
the democrats 0Lo had supported the electoral
bill 10 good faith; and he would say to the gen
lIolnau from Indiana (Alr. CARR that it would
take more than hin and the few democrats
who voted with him against that measure, to
read the majority Of the House out Of the dem
ocralic party the vote for that measure had
been one Of the graudest aud l0itiest evidences
Of democratic faith in the honesty OF Wapkind
If the Commission had not Iseu 10 the full
height OF the great occasion, the democrats
who supported the Till would have the sa.istac-
ton Of knowing that they, at least had done
their duty aud made every effort to settle the
great question according 10 law aud to right.
tIe did not agree with the decision Of the Com
mission; and he was glad that objection had
been made 10 it, because it gave the demo
cratic party an opportunity to enter its solemn
protest against the c0nsummatlon OF an outrag
eous wrong under mere legal fiction
\. II. STEpHESs.-Mr. Culver, private sec.
rotary Of Mr.. Stephens, left the following note
at The Office Of the National Hotel Sunday even.
ing for the information Of the press :-"Ihis is
the sixty-hlth birthday Of Gcorgia's great
'Conmoner. Contrary to general expectations
one week ago, Nr. Stephens has lived to wit
ness the return Of this anniversary Of his birth
with assurances Of speedy recovery. Ills con-
ditioa is 50 much better Today that he acknowl
edges himself, for the frs. time sioce his late
severe illness, that he is better"
Nlr. Stephens had very severe attack Of
coughing Sunday which weakcd him somewhat,
but yesterday morning lie was much better.
Mr. Stephens himself is COW much more hope
full Of recovery than he was few days ago.
"He is one cf the most patient sufferers |
have ever seea," says the Rev. DR.. WiIla, Of
Washington, who has visited him throughout
his present iil0ess. lie IS entirely willing to
live or die, just as God may determine. lie
trusts he may be spared to see the country re-
lieVed from lis present troubles, and the reign |
Of peace and prosparIyra established; and then
he would gladly go home to his eternal rest.
He has no fear of death. and speaks 10 glowing |
language Of the life to come. He is firm be-
lever 10 The doctrines Of Christianity, and
cousis;cn, member oitha Presbyterian church. !