The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-03-10

and ought to be strictly observed.
The policy inaugurated by my
honOred predecessor President Grant
of submitting to arbitration grave
questions in dispute between our
selves and foreign Powers, points to
a new and incomparably the best
instrumentality for the preservation
of peace, and will, as | believe, be-
come a beneficent example OF the
course to be pursued in similar ener-
gencies by other nations.
If, unhappily, questions Of differ
ence should ut any time during the
period of my administration arise
between the United States and any
foreign government, it will certainly
be my disposition and my hope to-
aid in the settlement in the same
peaceful and honorable way. thus
securing to our country the great
blessings of peace and mutual good
offices with all the nations of the.
world.
Fellow citizens, we have reached
the close OF Il political contest marked
by the excitement which usually at
tends the contests between great po-
litical parties, whose members es-
pouse and advocate 18th earnest faith
their respective creeds- The circum-
stances were, perhaps, in no respect
extraordinary, save in the closeneSs,
and the consequent uncertainty OF
the result.
For the first time in the history of
the country it has been Seemed best,
in view of the peculiar circumstances
Of the case, that the objections and
questions in dispute with reference
TO the counting of the electoral votes,
should be referred to the decision Of
tribunal appointed for this purpose
That tribunal established by law
for this sole purpose its members
all of them of long established repur-
tation for integrity and intelligence,
and, with the exception of those who
are also members of the Supreme
Judiciary, chosen equally from both
political parties its deliberations en-
light ned by the research and the
arguments of able counsel--was en-.
titled to the fullest confidence of the
American people. Itsdecisi0ns have
been patiently waited for, and ac-
Cepted as legally conclusive by the
general Judgment Of the public.
For the present, opinion will
widely vary rs to the wisdom of the
several conclusions announced by
that tribunal. This is to be antici-
pated in every instance where mat
trrs of dispute are made the subject
Of ARBITRATION under the forms of
law. Human Judgment is ne wer I'M
trrINg, and is rarely regarded as
otherwise tnan WRONG by the unsuc-
ce%sful party ian the contest.
The fact that two great political
parties have i'll this way settled a
dispute, in regard to which good mon
differ as to the facts and the law, no
less than as to the soper course 10
he pursued i'll solving the question
in controversy, is AN occasion for
general rejoicing.
nnanimity in public sentiment Tia t.
cunfiirung claims to the Presidency
must be anicaoly and peaceably adj
justed, and that when 80 abused t. G
general acquiescence of the nation
ought S.irely totOllow.
IL has been reserved for govern.
ment HT the people, where The right
of sut1i age is universal, 10 give the
world the first example in history of
Il great nation. i'll the midst of It
struggle of opposing parties for
poNe hushing lis party tumutts, to
yield me Issue nj Tie contest to adj
justment according 10 The forms Of
law.
Looking foE the guidance of that
Divine Hand 10y which the destinits.
o. nations and individuals are shaped
1 call upon you, Senators, Repreotn-
tatives, Judges, 1ciiUW citizens her e
and everywhere, to unite with me
in an earnest effort to =, cure to our
country the blessings, not only of
material prosperity, but of justice,
peace, and unIOn--a union depend
ing not upon thecDnSlraint of force,
but upon the lowing devotion of IL
free people; "Mnd that all things may
be 50 ordered and settled upon the
best and SureSt foundations, that
peace and happiness, truth and JUS
tice, religion and piety, may be- is
lablished anong us Ion all genera
tons"