The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-02-01


The following Is an extract from Sena-
tor Morton's great speech last week,
againstth compromise:
This bill is presented for the consider
alton of Congress under peculiar circr IN
stances. The Congress of the United
States is scarcely left free for its consid-
Grafton. We are aware that there is
great uneasiness in the public mind
throughout the country. Apprehensions
are entertained of violence-of revolu-
tionary action on the part of the House
of Representatives-of some course be-
ing taken that may result in disturbing
the peace of the country. A member of
Congress has said in a speech in this city
that 100000 men would be here on the
l4th of February to witness the counting
of the votes. That must DE regarded as
an extravagant utterance, but it is one
of very many of the kind that come up
to us from different parts of the country
so that the business interests of the
country have become alarmed, and there
is disposition to take almost any mea-
sure that may be proposed that will give
assurance of peace without very much
regard to the character of the measures.
do not think | am out of the way when
| say that this bill is a literal product Of
"the Mississippi plan" that the shadow
of intimidation has entered this cham
Der, and that in proposing this bill and
in the consideration of it members of the
Senate and of the House are act
ing under the apprehension of violence,
OF lcme great revolutionary act
that will threaten the safety and con-
tinuance of our institutions. / do not
myself believe in the reality of this dan
ger. / believe that this sort of talk is
intended for purpose. The real dan
ger that we are in results from not daring
to stand up to our whole duty as we un-
derstand it. 1t is said by geologists that
there was a period in the history of The
earth's crust when there were skullless
vertebrates, and it would seem now that
we have come to that period when there
are vertebrateless skulls. The thing TO
do is to do what is right, and to do it
| fearlessly. For one | am not afraid that
il this vote shall be counted as it was for
the first seventy-two years in the history
of our Government there will be any rev.
olution. l believe that any one who at
tempts it will be utterly destroyed
regard this bill, Mr.. President, as a
compromise. twill take its place along
of the com promise of 1850. BY the com
of latitude 60 degrees 30 minutes was
given over to slavery, and when the time
came to settle the territory north of that
| line, the compromise was destroyed. By
the compromise of 1850 the institution
of slavery got the immediate benefit of
the fugitive slave law. which gave il such
prestige, power, and confidence as made
it aspire to the complete conquest of the
| country / believe that Rutherford b.
| Hayes has been elected President of the
| United States. He has been elected un-
der the forms of law and according to
law, and he is elected in the hearts Of
the people. l believe that if he should
be counted in as eighteen Presidents
were successfully counted in from the
beginning of the Government, he would
be inaugurated, and there would be no
violence and no revolution.
There have been upon this question a
great many loose opinions given from
time to time on the first impression
without examination, and perhaps most
Senators have INDUCED in them, so that
very few can entirely claim to be con-
sistent l have INDUCED in them myself
/ brought forward a bill some two years
ago which was afterward reported by the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
for the purpose of having a law for the
counting of the electoral vote. did not
claim that the bill was perfect. 1t was
not in view of any contingency or case.
1t, however, was in one respect a safe
bill, and that is leaving out of view who
should count the vote, whether the Pres
ident of the Senate or the two Houses.
1t contained no word by which the two
Houses could be authorized to 60 behind
the return of State, to 90 behind the
decision made by the returning officers
of the State, appointed by the State for