Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-01-31

WEDNESDAY, MoRNrNe, JAN. 81, 1877.
TnE compromise bill, at this writ
Ing, only awaits the signature of the
President to become a law. He will,
doubtless, sign ii, and may have done
SO before this appears in print Ifhe
did not sign IL, sufficient strength has
been developed, probably, to pass It
over his veto, unless his action should
influence a great MANY of its former
supporters. This bill appeared first
to the public on the 18th inst, passed
the Senate at Z. A. NJ, on the 25th, and
the House at 5 +, NJ, ON the 26th.
Many wecke had been spent in its
preparation, and its terms were kept
profoundly secret but when reported,
its supporters urged the shortness of
the time left before its provisions
would become operative, as reason
why haste was imperative. 1t was
put through under the whip and
spur of majority composed, in the
main, of solid democratic vote, and
about onc-third Of the republicans. In
the Senate, where the least time was
given for reflection, majority of
eight or ten Of the republican Sena-
tors favored the bill, and only one
democrat voted against ii. In the
House, Of the S6 negative votes, 6S
were republicans, and Is democrats.
The result of all this is,
that the democratic party in Con-
gress has, by an overwhelming ma
jority championed the measure,
while it has been condemned among
the republicans of the country. 1t is
now no time for us to reiterate our
earnest and decided opposi
ton to the measure from the light
We had. Beyond all possible question
the republicans who supported the
measure, did SO just as honestly and
periodically as did those who op.
posed the measure. Certainly, it i,
apparent that as honest, true, and
faithful republicans as ever were
found in our ranks, ranged them
selves upon both sides of this ques'
ton in congress. We do not look fol
the great danger to lie in this meas
ure where, as we believe, most repub
licans do. 1t is not merely the sue
cess Of Tilden and democratic rule
from which the most dcleterious re
suits are to flow. All that the repub
licans could live and flourish under
if the party were in good health in
ternally.
1t is fact that the great mass of tn
republican party has reached the eel
tied conviction throughout the Who'll
country that Hayes was fairly an
honestly chosen President, and ths
the enemy in attempting to defeat thi
result, were guilty of the most shame
less rascalities and high-handed GU,
RACES. The party also believed tbs
there was constitutional way to d.
clare Hayes elected, and clear, Gel
tain way prepared for his inaugurs
ton. The republican papers Of tn
country had, almost without solit.
ry exception, SO taught the peopl,
Eminent republican statesmen, wit
but few exceptions, had declared sui
stantially the same. The republica
party, thus educated, thus convinced
will bear disappointment in the choic
of Tilden, with rcstiveness, with wild
spread complaint. True, we entel
tain very little fear, indeed, Of such
result as the choice of Tilden, but
if it should happen, we say there
the greatest danger that the divisio
ON the bill in Congress will extend t
the whole party.
We could, but will not enlarge upo
this thought. 1t is not pleasant to u
to dwell upon it. Therefore, havin
said this much, we counsel modera
ton in the discussion Of this question
always remembering that the wises
and best of men will differ. Tim
/. will prove what was the best in
matter which it is now too late I
argue, because it cannot be recalled
In our judgment, the greatest dar
ger to the country lies in the DANCE
to the party, by the possibility of Til
denis winning. Prudence, dispassion
ate reflection, we trust, will avoi
this danger, even should the cause 70
it occur. Therefore it is, we urge tn
exercise of calmness.