The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-02-14
COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTE.
Remarks OF Hon. john Young brown,
OF Kentucky. ira the House Of Rep
resenIatiVrs, Friday, Jan. a6. 1877.

Remarks Of Hon. john Young brown,
| or KENNEDY. iu the uOuSe Of Rep
resentatiV"s, Friday, Jan 26- ls77.
The Hons. having under consideration the
siIi Is. No. 1853 TO provide for ana regulate
| the counting Of votes FOR President and Vice
| President, aud tho decision of questions aris>
ing thereon. for the term commanding March
/ 1, A. u. ISL
Mr.. Brown. Of Kentucky, said;
Mr. SPEAKER: This is a supreme
hour in the history Of the Republic;
never pcrhaps was there one 20 big with
its tate Within the brief time allow ed
me 10y the courtesy OF the gentleman
from Ohio Mr. Paynel cannot attempt
an argument, but | wish to put on record
n word of Endorsement of this bill.
am for it. Before me, sir, see the foot
prints of those whom ! am not afraid to
follow. believe this measure coustitu-
tional and that it will prove q peaceful
solution of our political difficulties.
More than that, ! have confidence in the
tribunal which we are to establish by
this bill More than that, too, have
unioubting faith in the cause of my
party to be submitted to their decision,
and, with these convictions, give it my
hearty support
More than forty millions of people in
the cities, hamlets, workshops and fields
of this broad land have their eyes turned
towards us this day. and every patriot
among them hopes for the preservation
Of the fabric of Government builded by
our fathers. The merchant, trader, bank
er, farmer, lawyer, citizen Of every voca-
ton, are virtually interested in our work,
for the prosperity Of their business
and their political rights depend upon the
public peace and maintenance of law. II
this bill involved the surrender of any
constitutional right which honor and
duty dictated should be jealousy and in
violably held. l should scout it; but !
feel sure that it does not Defeat it, and
we are afioat on the mad current of pc.
litical passions, with agreement between
rival parties rendered impossible, and
drifting on TO the breakers, where victory
by either may be the death of the Const
tuition.
A month ago almost despaired OF the
Republic. | thought / saw a gigantic
conspiracy against liberty. The deliber,
ate utteranee OF the leaders of the opposi.
ton made year ago were repudiated by
their authors: established joint rules o.
Congress made by the republicans them.
selves and acted under for years were de
clared no longer operative. We have
heard and seen them deride laws Of theil
own making and turn their backs upon
the usages, precedents, and traditions o.
the Government We heard the note o.
military preparations; the Legislature:
Of sovereign States were put under the su
provisions of corporals of the guard, and
by q leading newspaper organ in this city
the arrest of the representatives Of the
people in this Chamber, who should
dare, in a certain contingency. to per-
form their constitutional duty, was def
antly advocated. know OF nobody who
was intimidated. There was a calm
earnest resolution to meet the situation
as onth and honor demanded. The Other
Day we saw singular sps'm "G devotion