The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-23
TWO REPUBLTCtNS VINO PROTEST
Speeches Of Mcssrs. SceIyc mud Pierce Of Mas
sachusett. against the Fraud.

From ne Cngr,sionri R,cord
Mr. Seelyc's remarks in favor Of the order
directing that the electoral vote Of Louisiana be-
not counted for Mr.. Hayes were as follows:
Mr. Scelyc--It is perhaps generally true that
in dscussion'so earnest not to 50 say excited
as this neither party may be altogether right or
altogether wrong In the bttcrcst disputes each
side may often nave somewhat to Justify II. both
sides perhaps being correct in what they affirm.
and wrong in what they deny. fancy that there
never could be any contention among true
hearted men II each had a clenr understanding
Of the ground occupied by the other. In this
case OF the Louisiana election II seems to me
perfectly clear that the charges made by each
side against the other are In the main true No
facts were over proved more concusively than
the fraud and corruption charged on the one
side and the intimidation and cruelty charged
on the other Which of the two sides went the
further and did the worse in this wrongdoing
would be hard to say. The corruption OF the
one side seems as heinous rs the cruelty of the
other is horrible and on both sides there does
not seem TO be any limit to the extent they went,
save only where the necessities Of the case did
not permit or the requirements Of the case did
not call to any more. ] find It, therefore. impos-
siblc to say which Of the two sets Of electors CONF
ing up here with their certificates voices the
actual will Of tho people Of Louisiana in the late
election and therefore equally beyond my pow
or to admit the propricty Of accepting other.
/ cannot. Mr. speaker cxaggcrate the rcluc-
TANGO with which differ from the wise and can
did mcn-wiscr and more candid men would be
hard to find
Here the hammer fclll
Mr.. Seelye-May | have two minutes more?
Many Members-Nes 20 on.
Mr.. Scclye-And wiser and moro candid mon
would BE- hard to find than those Of this Eclec-
toral Commission who have pronounced the de-
cision on which we are now called To vote. |
acknowledge think appreciate. the strength
| OF their position. We cannot be- too Jealous Of
the constitutional right " n State to choose its
| Presidential electors " in such a'manncr as the
| Legislature thereof may direct" We cannot
| he too careful of Congressional interference
| with the duly accredited results Of such n
| choice. Whether We like or dislike it, the right
! 81 state to choose the eef tors IN its own way.
| and to ascertain and certify as to the method Of
| their choice, is beyond our lawful control. All
! this accept ~ a formal and technical state
mont of clear principle 81 our Constitutional
principle. moreover. in it, general application
~ wise m II il clear.
! But. Mr. Speaker. there arc eases whore si00-
, mum jus becomes the siunmd uJlu'id. eases
where the law strictly interpreted and strcnu-
ously enforced works ont results contrary 10
an law. and in such cases equity lays the letter
~ the law aside and lifts her voiccin judgment.
rs the sovereign spirit Of law. The spirit II
Righteousness and truth. declares. / ilnl su II
a ca-e in the pending issue.
Grintcd-and hold this 10 be- inronte~tahle-
that this Electoral Commission has clearly in
tnrpretnd and accurately applied the Coustitu-
tion and the laws to the question submitted to
them. yet what ii the principle ON which the
Constitution and laws must ultimately rest be-
comes thereby suhyertedi Granted that the de-
ci,ion reached is fairly within the bond. yet
what If the pound Of flesh cannot DE taken with
out is drop Of hloodg What If this jealous ear,
for State rights and constitutional prcrogai,v"s
may 80 foster faction and so blunt the sense o
Justice and so increase the prcyurnc" Of frau,
that the very foundation Of prcrogativcs an,
rights has Disappeared
Bat word mora. NO passion" said Nir
huhr, "cv"r died except hy suicide: and th'
suicidal poison is cngenicrad not 50 much IL
the unjust -iatui - of "a Government. rs in th'
immoral practices OF people which the Gov
eminent IS unable 10 punish and unable e. Pc
strain. Il is because fear that the -trlt an,
accurate Interpretation II the Constitution |Np.
piled 10 the cle 'toral vote of Louisiana wot,l,
impcr that vote in the future. and Increase III,
very danger which the Constitution intended I,
avoid that am unable 10 concur with such ~
application.