The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-09
From the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune,
1t Is generally understood that the New York
Sun is the personal organ OF Mr.. Tilden, and
that it follows his dictaton and reflects his
views. From the time that it became evident
the Joint Committee OF Congress would report
bill for arbitrating the Presidential dispute.
during the entire discussion Of the proposition,
and up to the moment when it became law by
the signature OF the President, the Sun had not
one word to say either for or against it. Its
silence was regarded as significant, and attract
cd comment. 1t was explained by the assertion
that Mr.. Tilden did not desire in any way to
influence Congress or the country to either
adopt or reject the measure. But Just az soon
as the plan, with astonishing unanimIty OF
popular approval, had become a law, the Sun
opened its batteries, and has since been de-
nouncing it as unconstitutional and as con-
spiracy to enable one man to make the Presi-
dent, meaning the fifth Justice chosen by the
other four. The course of the Sun has certain
ly been singular, and it derives its importance
from its intimate relations with Mr.. Tilden.
What does il mean? Is it that Mr. Tilden fore.
sees the possibility that his ambition VIII suffer
defeat, and desires to prepare the way to resist
an adverse decision by the Arbitration Tribu-
nall What other purpose can there be, now
that the Nationa! Legislature has agreed upon
the plan, now that the masses OF both parties
have approved 1t, now that is is in actual oper
alton, with the prospect OF speedy and far
conclusion Is not this factious opposition
and pertinacious denuncation under such cir
cumstances an effort to direct certain portion
OF the public sentiment against acquescence,
in case the result be unfavoiabe to the candl-
date whom the Sun represents
The time for arguing the arbitration plan is
past We may say, however. that il is absurd
10 speak OF its enabling lone man" to make
the President. II this we're true ii would still
he lawful, since 1t is within the province Of
Congress to determine how the constitutional
mandate 10 count the votes shall be carried
out. As the Nation has already noted the valid
objection to Mr. Fsrry's counting the vote as
President OF the Senate was not because he
was only lone man" but because that officer
has never assumed the judicial function neces-
sary in the present situation, because the Con-
stltution does not clearly vest the authority in
him, and because he Is in certain sense PAL
! ty in interest as a member OF one OF the two
parties to the controversy, and subject to one
House of Congress controlled by one OF these
two parties. SO, even " Congress by law had
appointed one man to count the vote, it would
have been a very differen. matter from the
President OF the Senate assuming such power.
] DAB e. So Hal IL
issue in the present tribunal. II requires eight
at The very least, the number of the Commits
sion being odd, and it is more likely that the
final decision will be made by even a larger
number. The rule OF acquiescence N major
ity decision is too we'll founded in the princi-
pies of peace and arbitration to disturb 1t now,
and it IS ridiculous to assume, even If the ma
decided by one man."
But the purpose OF the sun seems 10 be
deeper than that Of argumens, since it did not
argue when the measure was under consdera-
ton before Congress- but condemns and de-
noinces 1t now that it has been adopted. Its
present position foreshadows the possible de-
feat OF Mr.. Tilden, and virtually calls upon his
partlsans IN that event not to acqulesce in the
decision Of the Court. This is something worse
than uppatriotic: ii is almost reasonable. The
offense ia the ranker because the Sun has not
suggested at any time, and does not now sug-
gest, any fairer or better method for securing
peaceful settlement OF the controversy II
it had been allowed to drift along without a
law regulating the count. it would have resulted
IN the counting OF the vote for Hayes by the
President of the Senate, and the choice OF Til
den by the usurpation Of the House. The in
ference is that this Is what the Sun wanted.
Then it wanted civil strife and bloodshed, for
that would have been the outcome eventually,
in the absence of arbitration. And the infer
ence from the Suns present course is that, even
now, Mr.. Tilden, at the very thought Of being
compelled to sacrifice his personal ambition,
desires that an effort shall be made to obtain
for him by force what he may not be able to
gain by law.