Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-05-24
The Presidency.

ue COIteSt IOI' buO clSClIOn vi LTG-
sident in 1876 was animated and ex-
citing. Our readers will recall the
weeks and months of anxiety which
followed the declaration OF the votes
in November Of that year. The con-
trove,sy was bitter and full of acri-
mony. Sectional feeling was aroused,
and party spirit run high. Foreign
nations looked to us for another eXhi-
billion Of fratricidal war, and predic.-
ed the speedy overthrow Of our system
of republican government. The quiet
good sense Of our people, however,
prevailed, and an adjustment of the
pending difficulties was made which
was satisfactory to every reasonable
man, and restored harmony to the
disturbed masses. A tribunal, Great; d
by Congress, and approved by the al
most unanimous voice of the people,
in performance of Its high duties, i'll
good faith, declared that Rutherford
Is. Hayes was elected President of
these United States. BY virtue of
that decision he was duly inaugurated,
and has performed the duties of the
national executive for nearly two
years. Differences Of opinion have,
indeed, existed, but these were al
lowed to quietly slumber, and we were,
as a country, looking forward TO an
era Of quiet, and improved material
prosperity.
The present House of Representa-
tives at Washington, by its recent
action, has attempted to undo all that
has been 80 satisfactorily accomplish
ed. Not content with its perncious
legislation on financial matters, where
by it has we'll nigh destroyed couf-
dencc in monetary matters not sat
fsfisd with its notorious stupidity and
populations, and its disregard of the
necessary wants OF the various gov
ernmental departments, it must, after
having by its un~ise action nearly
destroyed our national standing and
credit, attempt blow at the very en-
istence of the country, and threaten
to destroy the nation itself.
The investigation resolution, pre-
scented by Mr.. Potter, after several
days oftilibustering, passed the House
on Friday. 1t was passed entirely
by Democratic votes, and it might
nave been defeated by Democratic
votes had the only two votes that were
cast against 1t been withheld IL is a
resolution repeating the charges made
by McLin and Dennis, and providing
for the appointment of a committee to
consist of eleven members, by the
Speaker, who shall have power to send
for persons and papers, administer
oaths and take testimony. 1t also
gives the committee power TO detail a
subcommittee to sit in Florida and
Louisiana, and gives the Chairman OF
such Subcommittee power to send fol
persons ard papers and to administer
oaths. The consideration of the mat
tiers referred TO in the resolution will
reopen the presidential question and
pntthe country into season of dis
trust. The question has been already
settled as to who should be President
The resolution, in view Of the records
of history and the conclusions arrived
at by the Eit ctorial Commission and
accepted by the people, is revolution.
airy in its tendency End character. II
can result i'll no good. 1t will disturb
our commercial interests, unsettle the
business OF the country, and open
anew he controversies of political fac.
tions. These consequences must fol
low. What other train Of evils ma,
spring from this unwise and partisan
legislation, time can only tell. We
hope for the best. We do not desire
to read the future history Of our once
happy land in tie records of Mexico
We do not care ID experience years oil
strife, and perhaps bloodshcd, to ap.
pease the disappointment Of any set Of
individuals, or rings of invidious poll.
ticians. The nation can i'll afford to
keep men in power who waste theil
time in an abortive attempt to manu-
facture political capital at the expense
Of the country's security.
The Democratic party is responsible
for tho passage Of tho Potter resolu-
tions, and they must bear the conse-
qnenccs. They hove steadily refused
any III Iuirics into frauds, most evident
and conclusive, in Democratic strong
holds, they have refused to accept the
decision OF a commission of their own
making, they haye denied the rights