The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-02-04
The Situation.

| equitable issue in the Electoral contef
has materially improved This result
from the choice of Justice Bradley as tn
fifth Judge. In this action the fact lie pa
tent that the Republican judges origipall
on the Commission are not acting, and ar
not going to act, as partisans.
Such being the case, We are justified il
expecting q fair and honest investiga
tion of the issues of fact and law that vii
be presented to them. In that event tn.
result will be willingly accepted by the
people at large, whatever it may be. Thil
Is an important consideration, because il
will necessarily be leading factor in the
problem of general prosperity. If a con.
cfusion should have been reached by the
open endorsement, on the part of the Com
mission. of manifest fraud and trickery, the
party thereby defrauded would no doubt
submit to the decision; but it would be sui
len dissatisfied submission. 1t would be a
superficial calm frsught with the dread of a
coming tempest. Under such circumstances
energy would be discouraged and conf
dence only half restored.
Let the whole people, however, be con-
vinced that the best has been done of which
the circumstances were susceptible, consid-
ering defects in the laws, and they will be
satisfied. A defective constitution can be
amended; broken constitution is destroy
ed. Errorsare to be expected in seif-govern-
ment; usurpation is the end of it.
In view, then, of the disposition to fair
ness already so unequivocally manifested by
thejudicial branch of the Commission, we
think it safe to calculate on a prompt aud
rational solution of all issues put before that !
body. Mr.. Morton and others ofhts type may
make efforts to impede and prevent action,
but, in the face of such disapproval as that
course will be apt to evoke, even those un- |
'crupulous politicians will find it hard
% persevere.
With the splendid talents enlisted on the
Democratic side of the contest, and the very
minent ability embodied in the Board it.
elf, we cannot we'll doubt that substantial
1stice will be done by the august tribunal
reated for the emergency, Notwithstanding
10 quibbling and chicanery, the perjury
nd fraud, everywhere surrounding the
'cts and questions that will be brought to
8 notice.
We, therefore, entertain strong hope that
II. Tilden's election by handsome ma
'rity will be fully and speedily recognized.
ut many contingencies may arise to disap-
oint this expectation, and should Mr..
ayes be awarded the seat by reason of
'chnical conditions which could not be
'caped, the Democratic party may now
lbmit with honor, and will do 30 in good i
18th. l.
In either event an era of prosperity can
confidently expected. With Mr.. Tilden {
eacefuily in the chair, absolute confidence
i'll be- restored, the chains of the Southern
tates will be finally stricken off and
iendly sectional relations re-established.
oney will seek investment and credit re-
we. Even with Mr.. Hayes as President,
Ie same results, though in q degree less
arked, may be expected. The free invest
ent of money implies work, the employ ]
ent of labor, and the comfortable condi- t
on of the laboring population. We do t
1T believe it rash to reckon now With c
me confidence on a speedy realization of
ese results.