New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-25
COUNTING TIE VOTE ~ 1861.
LETTER FROM THURLOw WEED.

LETTER FROM THURLOW WEED.
rrroPTs MADE To DEFEAT THE INAUGURATION OF
rIxCn1N-How BRECKENRIDGE DID HIS DUTY
As viCE-PRF sIDKNr-TIE PRESENT SITUATION.
TO the EdttOr Of The rrtbUre
SIR: Now that the President and Secretary OF
State have avowed themselves In favor OF the Conl
promise bill its passage into law NAV be regarded
AZ foregOne conclusion. Opposition to It, therefore,
By Republicans would be considered factions. 1t is
evident that distinguished Republicans at Washing
ton have made important concessions to avert
threatened and unprecedented violation of law and
order. 1t il too late for discussion. / desire now
ever to show by contrast how differently Republi-
cans and Democrats act under similar circumstances
In 1851 when the electoral votes were counted
and the result declared, John c. BrecknrIdge,
Democratic candidate for President against Mr..
Lincoln. was Vice-Prcsident and such the officer
designated by the Constitution 10 count the ballFs
and declare the result. The country was then Iii me
incipieut stages Of rebellion. The schemes Tor seces
sion and revolution were rapidly developing. Ohe
conspiracy contemplated the assassination OF Mr.
Lincoln on his way through Baltimore 10 wash
ington. Another sought to prevent the counting Of
the votes, while a third aimed 10 prevent the man
gnration 1t was known that Secession Senator
hoped through the Vi"e-I'resident to accomplish
their purpose by his refusal TO declare the result.
This purpose awakened the -ocitude # .eadng Re
publcan Senators aud RelI sentative, who con
ferrcd with Gen. Scott. haC vetcra oftcer, a VIZ
einian by birth who WAS better iniorlle@ than Hahy
others of the designs Of Southern poii'l-
clans made such disposition of ms small
available force as would preserve order in the event
Of an outbreak. The power to deprive the country
of the services of the President and Nce-rc,i ert
elect was in the hands of Secession Nicc-rcsIdent
backed by a Democratic Senate The temptation TO
disregard the constitutional duty was very strong
The apprehension that this wrong would be at
TEMPTED seemed wei founded. But Republicans
ouictIy awaited the result No threats were uttered
no denuncatons were heard. There were no ezcIt-
ing appeals to PARTY; no hundred thousand ." Wide
Awakes" were invited TO W ashn2ton. And it Is but
simple Justice 10 the memory IF John {. Brc"Ein-
ridge himself defeated candidate for President
and an avowed Sc, ssorlst, 50 say that while acting
under the soemnities Of ls oath to obey the ConsC
tuition he discharged the high duty Of counting the
ballots and declaring the resGlt in the SAME manner
that that duty had been discharged by his precces-
sors from the establishment u the Government
Again reverse the positions Of Cows. Hayes
and Tilden. Place the latter upon the vantage
ground occupied bv the former The Democracy, by
a united emphatic and excited voice, would claim
the election of Tilden aud demand his Inauguration.
Rqpnll;cauq though deeply and cruelty dsappoint-
cG and panied. would accept IN" situation. Re
publican NI.C-lIcsiCcu- would count the hdii0is
and declare the result. The Rppnhlcan party,
tbough deeply Inundated 60 sre unworthy man
Inv q resort to now and discreditabia methods placed
in the Executive chair. would quietly acqules,c.
Nee- o,a Jan. -. ir-7. I. W.