, 1877-02-21

NORTON FOR PRESIDENT OF THE 8EHATE.
In spite Of the fact that tho Democratic
caucas Of last Saturday adopted resolution
plcdging tho party to proceed promptly
with the count Of the Electoral votes, md
not to resort to any di1atory procedure in tho
treatment Of tho Electoral Commissions
decisions, 1t has become exceedingly doubt
ful whether tho country may safo1y rely
upon this promise. In fact, there arc sig.
nillcaut Indications that enough Of the con.
ssrvativo Democrats may be whipped in by
tho extremists to prevent completion of tho
count before Saturday, AlarcL =. II scen,s
certain TINT desperate effort is to 10 Inatlo
to bring this about. Tho action OF tho cau-
cs,s, In r|clging tho Democrats to keep faith,
has been denounced by tho Coppcrhca,l
newspapers throughout the country,
and tho extremists hare gained now
energy to urge their villniny forward.
Threats Of violent resistance arc moro
numerous aul outspokcn than ever. l,esort
to assassination is publicly suggested. NotA-
lug Inns bcon, md nothing will be, loft un-
done TO incito tho disappointed greed and 10
arouse the partisan passions 10 defcat tho
outcome Ut tho SOLEMN agreement which w.ls
received with universal Joy by tho people az
assuring peaceful solution Of tho contro.
yersy.
It is limo for the Republicans to tako o.
ficlal eoguizance Of tho proposed pcridy and
threatened resistance. and to prepare for rro.
tccllng tho Government In caso il shall DO.
como necessary. There aro hut two
things Which tho desperate claAs of
Democrats, In their ,nalnoss, emu al
tempt. One plan suggested IN Mondays
Democrats cascus was lint tho House
should declare tlcro has been fal!uro to
elcct President, aud should proceed to
choosn TlLpkS successor to President GaAsr.
Logically followed out, this course wonll
nccessitato aa attempt ut tho Inauguration Of
TlLpES without any warrant OF law or scn-
hlanco Of constitutional claim. This would
be revolutionary, and would call for tho
saro stern aud aggressive treatment ~ WAS
mesed out TO the Rebels Of the South
crn States fifteen years ago. The other
course which tho bulidozIng Democrats may
aslopt is to use their present party majority
In tho House TO delay and psocrastiuato the
count OF tho Electoral vote by objections and
separate consideration, so that It 1nuy not bs
concluded before the 4th Of Afarch,-only
week from next sunday,-in which event
there will DO vacancy IN tho Offices of rresi.
dent aud Vice-proaident requiring q new
election. In case this latter courso DO
adopted, 1t will be with view
Of renewing In the following autu,pn,
when tho new election must ho held,
tho same policy Of fraud and intimidation.
only on largeF scale, o. That which chazac.
terizcd the Inst campaign, aud meanwhile
organize 4 reign Of terrorism by systematic
btlldozing, and crirpling the power Of tho
Government by refusing adequate appropsia.
tions
Tue Government must bo prepared to
meet either Of these emergencies. In case
tho bulldozers OF the Democratic House
shall succeed IN preventing q completion OF
tho count before the 4th Of March, .Lo
President OF the Senate will become The
acting President OF tho United States, and
hold the Office untii the vacancy shall DO
dlled in the following November by gen~
ezal election. Senator FxHRY Is now Presi.
don't Of the Senate, ba. bis term as Senator
c1pises the I'd Of March. It Is trua that La