The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1877-03-08
THE LATE pREsInENrA1. cp1s1s

Fellow-Citizens: We have reached the
close OF political contest marked by the
excitement which usually attends the con-
tests between great political parties whose
members espouse and advocate with earn
est faith their respective creeds The cir
cumstances were, perhaps, in no respect
extraordinary save in the closeness and the
consequent uncertainty of the results. For
the first time in the history of the country
1t has been decided best, in view of the
peculiar circumstance of the case that the
objections and questions in dispute with re-
ference to the counting of the electoral
votes should be referred to the decision of
a tribunal appointed for this purpose. That
tribunal, established by law for this sole
purpose, its members, all of them men 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 polti-
cal parties, Its deliberations enlightened by
the research and the arguments of able
counsel, was entitled to the fullest con-
hdence OF the American people Its deci-
sions have been patiently waited for and
accepted as legally conclusive by the general
Judgment of the public
For the present, opinions will undoubtcd-
ly vary as to the wisdom of the several con
sidcratlons announced by that tribunal
This is to be anticipated in every instance
where matters of dispute are made the sub
ject of arbitration unler the forms of law.
Human Judgment is ever unerring, and is
rarely regarded as otherwise than wrong
10y the unsuccessful party in the contract.
The fact that two great political parties
have in this way settled dispute, in re-
gard to which good men differ as to the
facts and the law, no less than as to the
proper course to be pursued in solving the
/ question in controversy, is an occasion for
general rejoicing. Upon one point there
is entire unanimity in public sentiment,
that conflicting claims to the Presidency
must be amicably and peaceably adjusted
and that when 50 adjusted the general ae-
| quiesceuce Of the nation ought surely to
! follow
1t has been reserved for a 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 a struggle Of opposing parties for
power hushing its party tumults, to yield
the issue Of the contest to adjustment ac-
cording to the forms of law.
Looking for the guidance of that Divine
hand by which the destinies of nations and
individuals arc shaped, call upon you,
Senators, Representatives, judges, fellow
citizens, here and everywhere, to work with
me in an earnest effort to secure to our
country the blessings not only Of material
prosperity, but of justice, peace, and union
"a Union depending not upon the con-
straint or force, but upon the devotion Of
free people, 'and that all things may be
50 ordered and settled upon the best and
surest foundations that peace, and happi-
ness, and justice, religion and piet, may be
established among US ior all generations. y
THE OATH OF ogFIcE.
At the conclusion Of the address the oath
Of Office was administered to the President
by Chief Justice Waite, both standing with
uncovered heads at the front of the plat
form: and thereupon salute was fired in
! the adjacent PARK, and cheering was kept
up for several minutes Meanwhile the
President was congratulated by ex-President
Grant Chief Justice Waite and large mum
Der Of other persons near him, Including
Senator Conkling and many other members
Of both houses Of Congress, and all the
Associate Justices Of the Supreme Court
except Justices Clifford and Field, who
were not present during any portion of the
ceremony Of the day.
HnNnPTLG TIE NV