The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-01-18

IlHl bl6CllOH, lH6 Clullu Cuu nOJ 10 buU'
mitted to- Understand me, do not fix
the limits of the power of Congress; | do
not assert what rules Congress shonld
adopt. For myself | should recognize to
the utmost admissible point the conclu-
sive authority of The tribunals of the
states over all questions not properly
within the scope of power granted to the
federal government, but do assert that
the powers of the President of the Senate
in this connection are purely ministerial,
that he has no Judicial powers that he is
Limited to the sole duty ofopening all the
certificates and that whatever power ex.
lists to count the votes resides in the SEN
ate and House of Representatives,
Fellow.cilizens let MS insist on the ex-
ercise of that power by our senators and
representatives. Let us tell them, and
tell all our fellow-citizens, in terms which
cannot he misunderstood, for the enc0ur.
agement of those who agree with us and
the consideration of those who differ.
that we will ask nothing that Is not right
and submit to nothing that is wrong (;
that we would not have the presidential
Office unless we have fairly and honestly
obtained it; that we would not have it as
the result of force or fraud or trick; that
we would not have it at the Expense Of
the ballot box; but thai if we have fairly
achieved success at the polls, no power
on earth shall wrest it from our grasp,
Let us tell them in tones so earnest as to
carry conviction of our determination;
| that we demand-that we will have-a
fair, honest, impartial count, according
to the law; and inasmuCh as the return
ing boards have caused well'fOunded
suspicion of illegality and partSanship,
and corruption and fraud, their returns
must be revised and verified by the in
vestigations of Congress; that the presi-
dent of the Senate must now for the first
time Judge of the authenticity and vail.
dity of the ret rms, but that the two
houses, as always heretofore, must now
provide for the exercise of that power
Ii on such a count Governor Hayes shall
appear to be elected, the people every.
where will acquiesce with ready and
cheerful obedience. If, on the other
hand, Governor Tilden shall appear to
be the choice of the majority Of the cleo
tors fairly and legally chosen, the heart
and Judgment and conscience of the ma
ton will demand that no jngglery or
fraud or newly invented teGhnicality
shall thwart the popular will-will de-
mand that he be peacefully inducted into
Office; and we know with what mighty
powers this people ever satisfies the de.
mands oftheir heart and Judgment and
conscience.
In 1901 the struggle for the presidency
was carried into the House. The Repub-
licans, as the Democrats were called at |
that day, had defeated the FederaIists
They had given Jefferson clear MAORI.
ty the electors over Adams, but Burr, |
who was voted for with the intention he |
shoul be Vice President had an equal
number of votes with Jefferson, and
there was no election. Immediately a
bargain and sale was affected. The Fed
eralsts supported Burr caring far more
to defeat Jefferson than to elect Burr.
They pushed the intrigue to the very
verge of revolution. On Wednesday, the
llth day of February, the House. having
assisted at the count of the electoral
votes, returned TO its chamber and pro-
ceeded to ballot, Eight states voted for
Jefferson, six states voted for Burr and
two were diyided. All that day, all the
night, and until y O'Clock on
Thursday the House continued in session
and baloted with the same result. On.
Friday the baloting continued, and still
the result was not changed A motion
was made to adjourn the further ballot.
ing until the Sd of March, and the plot
was revealed to postpone the election
until the expiration Of Congress on the
ith Of March, and TO declare president
bro tempore To meet this revolutionary
and to thwart it, it was resov.
ed that the great Middle States, New
York. Pennsy vania, Virginia, should
arm. In the midst of that solemn scene,
5hese words were addressed to the peo
pie:
The confidence which has heretofore
'eposed in tranquil security on the wis
lom and patriotism of Congress stands
appalled, at the dangers which threaten
he peace Of society and the existense Of
he constitutions Dur
ng the period of deep suspense, which
nay be yet to come, it behoOves the peo
Die of the United State. to manifest that
pirit of dignifed and commanding forti-
ude that, while it stands prepa ed for
my crisis, is resolved not to commit the
,auSe in which tits embarked in any act
If indiscretion 1t is right that public
opinion should express itself: let it then I
)e expressed with respectful frmness
rom one end of the Union to the other
Let the representatives of the people
know he will of the people and they will
,bey it,"
The people did make known their will
he representatives did obey, the calami-
y was averted hv the elevation of patri
,tsm. over partisanship Mr.. jefferson t
vas elected, and he conducted his admin q
sIraliOn on such wise and patriotic priu. ,,
,ipes and policies that, after being prac-
iced during two terms by himself, and
wo terms by his friend and Secretary OF
State and successor, Mr., Madison, and
,ne term by another friend and adviser :
Mr. Monroe, the latter was elected in his t
econd presidential term by the vote of
.very elector in every state save only {
me. The Federal party was completely
destroyed.
Feloy-citizens This history contains
lesson and a promise Let the Demo.
ratio party now, in this great crisis, tread .
he paths dictated by patriotism and hon.
n and manhood, aud believe the i'm {
Mediate future will crown it with success. !
know the most glorious page of its his
ory will yet he written.