The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-02-08
ER. 2.-The Electoral Commission met
Presidents Message Approving
the Electoral Bill.

WASHINGTON, D. G., Jan. 29.-The fol-
lowing is the text Of the Presidents mes
sage concerning the Electoral bill:
10 the Senate Of the United States:
follow the example heretofore occasionally
presented of communicating in this mode my
approval of an act to provide for and regulate
the counting OF votes for " laent ana vice.
President, and the decision of questions arising
thereon, because Of my appreciation Of the i'm
mlnent peril TO the institutions of the country,
from which, in my judgment, the act affords
wise and constitutional means Of escape. For
the first time in the history of our country, under
the Constitution as il is now, q dispute exists
with regard to the result of the election Of Chief
Magistrate Of the Union. lt is understood that
up0n the disposition of the disputes touching the
Electoral vote cast at the last election by one or
more States depends the question whether one or
the other of the candidates for the Presidency IS
the lawful Chief Magistrate. The Importance OF
having clearly asCertained by procedure rcgu-
lated by law which OF two citizens has been elect
I'd and Of having the right to their high ONCE
recognized and cheerfully agreed IN by all the
people Of the Republic, can not be Over-estmated,
and leads me to express to Congress and to the
Nation my great satisfaction at the adoption of
measure that affords an orderly means Of deci-
sion OF gravely exciting questions While the
history Of our country in its early periods shows
that the President Of the Senate has counted
the votes and declared their standing,
our whole history shows that in no instance OF
doubt or disUute has ne exercised the power Of
deciding and that the two Houses Of Congress
have disposed Of all such doubts and disputes,
although in no instance hitherto nave they been
such that their decision could have essentially
affected the result. For the FIRST time, then, the
Government Of the United states is now brought
to meet 4 question rs Ons vital to the result, and
this under conditions not best calculated 10 pro
duce agreement, or induce calm feeling IN the
several branches OF the Government,
or among the people OF the country. In
case, where, as now, the result is involved, It -
the highest duty of the law making power u pro
Al
Just method Of executing the Constitution. this
most Interesting and critical clause OF It's pro
visions, the bill, SO far from being compro-
mise Of right, is IN endorsements Of The right and
an execution of the powers conferred by the
COrstltuti, n on Congress. ] think that THIS or
derby method has ueen secured by the Dill,
which, appealing 70 the Constitution and law as
q guide in a-certanins rights, provides a means
Of deciding questions Of single returns through
the direct action Of Congress, amt IN
respect 70 double returns, By tri-
stand unless both Houses OF Congress shall CON
cur in determining otherwise, thus securing
definite disposition Of all questions Of dispute IN
whatever respect they may arise. With or With
out this law, as al the States heve voted, and
az the vote is recorded it must be that one Of the
two candidates has been elected; and itWOU!d be
dep1rable to witness an irregular controversy
as 10 which Of the two should receive or which
should continue to hold the Office. In all records
of history controversies have arisen as to sue
cession or choice of Chiefs of states, and no par
tV or citizen loving their country and It's
free institutions can sacrifice too much OF mere
feeling in prCserving, through an upright course
" law, their country from the smallest danger to
its peace on such an occasion, and it can not be
impressed too firmly on thehearts OF all people
that true liberty and real progress can exist only
through cheerful adherence 10 constitutional
law. The bill purports 70 provide only for the
settlement CT questions arising from recent cleo
tons. The fact that such questions can arise
demonstrates the neeessity-which, / can not
doubt, win before long be sup
pliea-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 best
applicable TO All future occasions, but it is cal
culated to meet the present condition of the ques-
ton and OF the country. The country Is agltated;
il needs and it desires peace and quiet and har-
mony between all parties and al sections; its in
dustries are arrested, labor unemployed, capital
IDLE, and enterprise paralyzed, By reason Of the
doubt and anxiety attending the uncertainty Of
double claim to the Chief Magi5tracy q the Ma
ton II wants 70 be assured that the result OF the
election will be accepted without resistance from
the supporters Of the disappointed candidate, and
that its highest officer shall not bold his place
with questioned ttls OF right. Believing that the
bill wiz secure these ends, give Tiny signature.
rSignedl u. $. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, January p, Is77.