Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-02-02
AZ UNWlSE c0MPRONLSE.

Although we confidently hope and believe
that the adjustment of the Presidential diff
Guilty by the commission selected for that pur-
pose will result in the declaration of the cleo
ton Of Tiden and Hendricks, yet we cannot
say that this departure from constitutional
method meets with our concurrence Cur
party has always been considered the guardian
of the Constitution always denouucing contra
constitutional measures, and once engaging in
disastrous war in defense Of that sacred in
strument and now il seems a sad degeneracy
indeed TO witness its participation in q scheme
clearly at variance with one of the provisions
of the fundamental law. But this is not all
il even stoops to become the partner of fraud
in its violation Of law, and any compromise
with fraud, especially an illegal and unconsti-
.utional compromise, is virtual surrender
and abandonment Of principle. II will not
do for our representatives, in Congress 10 plead
Tint discretion forbade strict adherence TO
legislative duty in order to avert the misfor-
tunes OF n threatening civil strife, for if the
frown of lawless usurpation can frighten n
people into the surrender Of any one provision
which protects their rights, it stands not only
as a precedent to meet seeming emergencies
Of the same character that may arise in the
future, but it also stands as an inviting temp
tation to ambitious power TO terrify the peo-
pie into the surrender of other provisions IN
the future il would only be necessary for the
hand of grasping power TO practice its fraud
and then hold before the people menace Of
civil war TO not only require another deviation
from constitutional law bat also dictate the
terms of it. Thus, step by step, and almost
impereeptibly, would every article of the Con-
stituiion he merged into a volume Of presidents
composed Of vilhinous compromises, produ-
cling state Of confusion and anarchy which
would actually require the restraining arm of
a monarch to snbduc. Then will expire repub-
lican liberty, nevermore to be resurrected We
hold not the Constitution by a fee simple title,
to dispose Of il when and how we will; we
hold il as trustees for the benefit Of postcrity,
reaping only the blessings it showers upon US,
until we shall have surrendered il to the
next generation and it is treason 10 our fdn-
ciary character to suffer any unwise alteration
or abridgment of It's provisions We cannot,
then, but depreeate this injndicious departure
from constitutional requirements which opens
channel 10y the mutual consent Of both par
ties, through which right after right may
drift away until present free people behold
themselves chained to a throne of despotism
We think that it would have been more pre-
ferable, If The necessity had arisen for the peo-
pie who spoke upon the 7.h Of November last
to have maintained the verdict of their voice
with the strength of their might than to Sc
cure the same end by this stepping stone to
future misfortune and disaster.
When our case. shall have been presented TO
this commission for its decision, we rely upon
the merits and justice of our cause for its sue
cess, and we have no fears 10 entrusting it to n
balance Of power held in the hands of FIVE Jus
tees Of the Supreme Court. The Florida case
alone must settle the question The court Of
ultimate jurisdiction ia that State has decided
that the returning board could only perform
ministerial duties and declare the result from
the face Of the returns, and that it had no
legal power 10 go into judicial examination
of votes. The Supreme Court of the United
States has declared, time and again, tina. when
the highest tribunal Of State construes a
State statute that the construction cannot be
set aside. The FIVE justices who have been
selected to act on this tribunal have often
assented 10 this principle of law; aud should
partisan impulses now desire them to depart
from il, their opinions, delivered under oath
from the highest judicial bench in the ceun-
try, would stand staring them in the face and
threatening to hand their names down through
oil coming generations covered with the in
falny Of perjury and ct companions with the
name Of Benedict Arnold If they adhere to
that opinion, as we firmly believe they will,
Hey have only TO examine the compilation of
vows cast in Florida, ascertain which candi-
date received majority, and declare that her
electoral votes must be given to them. The
face OF The returns show majority Of ninety
six for I'ilGen and Hendricks. Therefore we
confidently expect TO witness their induction
lato oshee on tAe 4th Of March.