Nebraska advertiser., 1877-02-01
THE COMPROMISE BILL.
President Grants Messago-WOrds OF
Wisdom.

The following is a text ofthe Presi-
dents message concerning the cleo
toral bill:
To THE SENATE: / follow the ex-
ample b ereTofore occasionally present
ed of communicating in this mode my
approval of the act to provide for and
regulate counting OF the votes for
president and vice president, and de-
cisions of questions arising thereon,
because of my appreciation of immi-
nent peril to institutions of the coun-
try, from which in my judgment, the
act affords wise and constitutional
means of escape.
For the first time in the history of
our country, under the constitution
as it now is, dispute exists with re-
gard to the result of the election of
chief magistrate of the nation. 1t is
understood that upon disposition of
disputes touching the electoral votes
cast at the late election by one or
more of the states depends the ques-
ton whether one or the other of the
candidates for president is the lawful
chief magistrate. The importance of
having clearly ascertained by proceed
ure regulated law which of the two
citizens has been elected, and of hav-
ing the right to this high office, Eec-
ognized and cheerfully agreed in by
all people of the republic, cannot be
overestimated, and leads me to ex-
press to congress and to the nation
my great satisfaction at adoption of q
measure that affords orderly means of
decision of gFavely exciting questions.
While the history of our country in
its earlier periods shows that the pres
ident of the senate has counted the
votes and declared the standing, our
whole history shows that in no in
stance of doubt or dispute has he exer-
cised the power of deciding, and that
the two houses of congress have dis
posed of all such doubts and disputes.
although in no instance hitherto have
they been such that their decision
could essentially have affected the re-
suit. 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 this under
conditions not best calculated to pro-
duce agreement or to- induce calm
feeling in the several branches of the
government or among the people the
country in the case.
Whereas, now that the result is in
volved, 1t is the highest duty of the
law making power to provide in ad-
vance q constitutional, orderly and
Just method OF executing the consti-
tuition in this most interesting and
critical clause of its provisions. The
doing so, far from being \ cOmprom
ise of right, Is an en- nforoement of right
and an execution of powers conferred
by the constitution in congress. l
think that this orderly method hiss
been secured by the bill, which, ap-
pealing to the constitution and law as
guides in ascertaining rights, provides
means of deciding questions of single
returns through direct action of con-
gress, and in respect TO double returns
by 3 tribunal Of inquiry whose deeis-
ions stand unless both houses Of con-
gress shall concur in determining 9TH
erwise, thus securing definite disposi-
ton of all questions of dispute in
whatever aspect they may arise, with
or without this law. AS all OF the
states have voted. and tie vote is inn
possible. it must be that one of the
Two candidates mas been elected, and
1t would be deplorable to witness an
irregular controversy as to which Of
of the two should receive, or which
should continue to hold Office.
In all periods OF history, eOntrover-
sizes have arisen as to succession or
choice Of chiefs of states, and no par
ty or citizen loving their country and |
its free institutions can sacrifice too
much of mere feeling in preserving
upright course of law, their
country from the smallest danger to
its peace on such an occasion, and it
cannot be impressed too firmly in the |
hearts of all people, that true liberty |
and real progress can exist only tbro' |
cheerful adherence to constitutional |
law.
The bill purpOrts to provide only for !
settlement Of questions arising from |
recent elections. The fact that such /
questions can arise demonstrates the /
necessity. which / cannot doubt will |
before long be supplied, of permanent
general legis station to meet cases
which have not been contemplated in
the constitution or laws Of the coun-
try. The bill may not be perfect. and
its provisions may not be such as
would be best applicable to all future
occasions, but 1t Is calculated to meet
the present condition of the questions
and of the country. The country is
lgitated 1t needs and it desires peace
and quiet and harmony between all
parties and all sections; its industries
are arrested; labor is unemployed :;
capital idle. and enterprise paralyzed.
~ reason of the doubt and anxiety
the uncertainty of double
claim to the chief magistrocy Ofthe ma
ion. IT wants to be assured that the
esult OF the election will he accepted
Without resistance from supporters of
he disappointed candidate, and that
ts highest officer shall not hold his
,lace with questioned title of right
Believing that the bill will secure
hese ends, give it nv signature.
(Signed) U. s. GRANT.