New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-03
THE POLITICAL CRISIS.
AN ELECTION BY THE HOUSE.

AN ELECTION BY THE HOUSE.
RECORD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY-ALL ITS OLD
TIME LEADERS DECIARED AGAINST 1.-THE
PRECEDENT OF THE HOUSE AND NOT OF THE
PEOPLE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: The election Of John Quincy Adams, In
1925, by thc House Of Representatives, excited the
hcartcs diseust OF the Democracy TIE anathcmas OF
1901 against Mr. Rava- OF Delaware for bis hesitation
in the House IN deciding the election by thai body in
favor of Mr. Jefferson were revived against Adams and
Clay: and the Democracy under the lead of jackson,
adopted ~ fundamental principle Of - organization
enduring hostility election by the House or Pres-
dent 0r the United States Thomas III. Benton IN the
Senate and Gov. MeDaffe OF South Carolina in the
House in December. 1925 moved for an amendment OF
the which would dyest the latter body IN
every event Of all control the election OF President
In te nrutrnoed debate which ensued in both houses,
these motions were supported by the most distinguished,
then rs subsequently. Of the Democratic leahers-Dy
Messrs Benton, Hayne OF south Carolina, Richard NJ
Johps0n of Kentucky, Martin Van Buren, James bn-
chanan C. c. C9mbrciing, James X. Polk. j. l. Barbour
end others; and finally passed the House by vote oi
Yeas 1ys, 10 81 Nays
Those enlightened commended that the power
lodged in tho Horse by the Constitution 10 eject Fres-
dent in a certain contingency corrupt and corrupt
ing; that il threatened with overthrow the sovereignty
of the nation in probable defeat Of the will OF the pco
plc: That II frustrated the design ~ the Constitution,
which concmpates that ia all cas4s majority Sai!
rule; tie viii OF majority legally Expressed, without
Intimidation, violence force or fraud, IN the ehoce OF
TICv urged that "the tide ~ corruption never flows
backward "Cprrupt Congress, AMI ven ass:lil rrty
in the very seat Of It's vitality for corruption not force
voe t;r DESTROYER Of all free governments Tie iTci-
patton the House necessarily degraded alike tue ls
iatlrr and the Executive. In The language OF 1cN.
McTrfc Instead ~ statesmen profoundly yerscu III
the subhmc art OF rendering The kepub ourisg aaa
bariy Che tncfnhers ~ this House Will DEGENERATE ht
mere managing politicians, trained FIJI the tto ts OF
Intrigue" HgrUsaed exclusively M MAKING frfs'
don't - Wha; picture uf the last and present House
Hence Gov. MeDutie regarded such power III inc
House with perfect ahhoIrence James n RON i'l
r,ir was great Tsues Buchanan URGED an aTnefin'
own far tAc abolition 81 da.iiiiisi >" n
stTDus. Van Buren, emphatic IA his dchunclilons
-ubsngTpii.iY tie c3Ein1tCn o. lH'sH, IN Wuich
Andrew Jackson wa5 elected, war against iii election OF
President BY the HOuse-unr0mprom.sng war upon al
advocated bY the Democracy one nf their cardinal OF
fundamental n.tinns OF reform. Very naturally thcn
ON ur we're great upUu the theme. In The suDiiIhy pI
the SUBJECT sHcir patriotism uanscended party IN
tOugrs IN Che STATE If'Eiatures Ia tie press upon
the stGmp, and even la the paint tpeT pnilpPlcs
ast election OF President ny the House were mag
p8ccnt IA eloquoncc and fire. No single ne hfc III INC
r.Iuaiu gave to the y mOcr1cy nJt tbe weight u u
il uad Jackson President. IL 10 TIE party itA hfst
national victory in rne,icrn party struggles.
WAY 10 the Democracy plot ~ cnhsulhLi Coi-
finger cv 20 denounced nv Jacscn aS corrupt ana H
cercus ~ q JsIrVajiGH when destroys the sovereignty
peoVlp nation IA the hgHc0 all most Ihl"i
iant function Of that suyereigliy-the S'jeciOa :" q
IArf Magistrate " the Ecpu0c DciiGLhcei lhdectl
fnnders " the rartv-bv Jefferson. JACKSON. lenton
Hatuc, McDuic. Van Buren,, Polk. kciIrd NJ JShisol'
BuFhar an. t.rby the men WHO az often lrfl th"u 10
victory r1der inspiring enthusiasm cFc,.'ru ot
~ U'e.iS' ~ NEW.
washington, D. C., Jan. 10. 1877.