The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-02-09
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beloved che stempls heretofore oe
fffmfiiy presented ~ communicating
s lh.s mssle my approval 81 the Get ~
tffyhls Gu aHd %ffFultie the counting
~ the VOTES ~ president Hnd vice pres
d7Ht and The decision u questions afiF
ing thereon because ~ my appreciation
Of she eminent peril tothe Institutions u
ne country from which, IN my judg.
meut, the act affords wise and cunstitu
| tluual means NJ escape. For the FIRST
time IN the history NJ our country, under
the constitution ~ " IL nOw, dispute cxs
ists with regarl b. the result Of the elec.
ton " y chief magistrate Of the nation.
II u understood that upon the disposition
Ofthed disputes touching the electoral votes
cast Mt the late election by one or more
Of the states depends the question
whether one or the other Of The candi.
dates for the presidency Is the lawful
chief magistrate. The importance OF
having clearly ascertained by procedure
regulated by law which Of the two citl-
lena has been elected, and Of who, having
the right TO this high office, recognized
and cheerfully agreed in by all the peo-
pie of the republic, cannot be oyeresti-
mated, and leads me TO express to con-
gress and to the nation my great satistac-
ton at the adoption Of a measure that
afford orderly means ofdecisiOn OF gravely
exciting questions. While the history
OF our country in its early period 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 dispute has he
exercised the power of deciding, and that
the two houses of congress have disposed
of all such doubts and disputes al
though in no instance hitherto have they
been such that their decision could es-
have affected the result. For
the first time, then, the government of
the United States is now brought to
meet the question as one vital to the
result, and .his under conditions not
the best calculated to produce agree
or TO induce a calm feeling
n the several branches of the govern
nent or among the people of the coun
Try. In a case where, as now, the result
involved, it is the highest duty of the
.aw-making power to provide in advance
/, constitutional, orderly and just method
If executing the constitution in this
most interesting and critical clause of
It's provisions. The bill, so far from be-
ng n compromise of the right, is IN en-
Torcement of the right and an execution
IF the powers conferred by the constitu-
,icn on congress. | think that this or
lerly method has been secured by the
dill, which appealing to the constitution
and law as a guide in ascertaining the
tights, provides means of deciding ques-
ions of single returns through direct
lction of congress, and in congress, and
n respect to double returns by a tribunal
If inquiry, whose decisions stand unless
Goth houses OF congress shall concur in
determining otherwise, THUS securing a
~letinite disposition of all questions of
in whatever aspect they may
lrise. With or without this law, as all
he states have voted, it is impossible,
t must be that one of the two candidates
has been elected, and it would be de-
,lorablc to witness an irregular contro-
,ersy as to which of the two should re-
GIVE, or which continue to hold the
In all records of history cOntro-
'ersies have arisen as TO succession or
:hoice of chiefs OF states. and no partyor
itizen loving their country and its
rec institutions can sacrifice too
much of mere feeling in preserving,
Trough upright course of law, their
ountry from the smallest danger to its
'eace on such an OCCASION; and it cannot
Ne impressed too firmlyin the hearts of all
that true liberty and real progress :
an exist only through a cheerful abhor- :
nee to constitutional law. The bill pur-
to provide only for the settlement
t questions arising from recent cleo
ions. The fact that such questions can :
rise demonstrates the necessity (which ,
cannot doubt will, before long-be sup '
lied, Of permanent general legislation !
D meet cases which have not been con-
emplated in the constitution or laws of !
he country. The bill may not be per- .
and its provisions may not be such !
5 would be best applicable to all future :
ccasions, but it is calculated to meet !
le present conditions of the questions :
{ the country. The country is agitated; :
needs and it desires peace and quiet q
nd harmony between all parties and all q
It's industries are arrested, .
Dor unemployed, capital idle and enter :
rise paralyzed by reason of doubt and !,
attending the uncertainty of a :
claim to the chief magistracy of !
Ie nation. 1t wants to be assured that y
Ie result of the election will be accepted !.
ithout persistence from the supporters !
the disappointed candidate, and that !
highest officer shall not hold his place |
it'll a questioned title of right. Re. !
wing that the bill will secure these l.
dis, | give it my signature. :,
u. S. GRANT. u
Executive Mansion, January 20, 1877