The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-05-18

uISu uuahituouS oplnlOn OF Independent men
and the prominent independent journals of
the country. These men and these journals
were generally inclined to favor Mr.. Tilden
and many of them assumed that in justice
he was entitled to majority of the votes Of
the electoral college. But they strongly con.
denim the Potter resolution as grossly unfair
and leading to no possible good result. They
even contend that any dispute at this time
is iniudicious and unpatriotic and a great
breach of good faith on the part OF the DEM
ocrats. A review Of the history of the cleo
toral commission will justify their charge of
bad faith. The debate in Congress before
the adoption of the plan of commission
and the discussion of the project in the pub
lie journals shows that the decision of that
tribunal was to be accepted as final and
as good in law and equity as the declaration
Of the result of Congress. In this connec-
tion a few of the utterances of Democratic
leaders may be profitably quoted:
Mr.. Hunton of Virginia, one of the trainers
OF the plan OF settlement, said: "With such
tribunal to decide this question absolute fair
ness in the decision must be expected Napo-
leon said, Providence was on the side of the
heaviest artillery In this case victory will be
on the side of the stronger case"
Mr. Goode of Virginia said that "the chief
merit OF the plan of settlement consisted in
the fact that it affords certainty of a safe
and speedy deliverance from the military arm
OF the government The successful candidate
Will be inaugurated according to the peaceful
forms of law and without violence to our re-
publican system of government
Mr. Springer of Ohio said: "The can be lit
tie dlnerence between requiring this decision
to be tinai unless rejected by the two Houses
and making it final when concurred in by both
houses, because, sir no political party can
afford to go before the country after rejecting
the hndlng OF this tribunal. 1t will be effect
ual and final.''
Mr. FELTON,. of Georgia, declared that sthe
commission would free the incoming admins
fratlon OF all taint of irregularity or fraud"
Mr.. Lamar thought that ''to have solved SO
dangerous question so simply, SO calmly aud
SO justly was the highest tribute that could be
paid to those principles of constitutional liberty
which have trained the American people to
such possibility"
Mr. Harrison Of Illinois said: "What NAV
be the result OF its (the Commission's) working
upon the aspirations of the two distinguished
candidates for the Presidency cannot tell, and
that to my mind is its very best feature. 1t is
IN @ Tne e. interest 9I neither party. The tribunal
Mr. OBrien of Maryland said Peace can
only be secured by decision Of the late Presi-
Dental election which will guaranty to the oc-
cupant OF the Presidential office that he is not
regarded as usurper by majority Of the peo-
pie: In this view | shall vote for the BILL"
Mr.. Walker of Virginia said: "Whatever the
result may be the American people will bow
before it in respectful obedience"
Mr.. David Dudley Field of New York said:
while have thought it (the subject under
discussion) beyond question within the compe-
tence of Congress was sure that it fthe pro-
posed plan) was just and honorable settle
ment, and the best method of escape from an
impending calamity"
Mr. Bsyard of Delaware, defending the pro-
posed Commission, said: II have failed to
discover wherein anything is surrendered.
What power that both Houses should possess
is withheld? 1 do not know where the COM
promise can be, what principle is surrendered.
Tn bill intends to provide az honest adjudica-
tion for the rights of ALL"
Mr. Thurman said: "This is the act of the
two Houses, and this bill contem plates nothing
else; and it is just as much in constitutional
sense the act of the two Houses and the de-
cision Of the two Houses as if both Houses
were OF the same political complexion"
Mr. Whyte of Maryland said: Il shall hail
the decision [of the Commissioni as heav-
eniy message, giving us peace in the land and
quietude, until we shall provide by some con-
stitutional amendment to prevent the recur.
renee OF this unfortunate trouble"
Such was the generally expressed senti-
ment of the Democratic leaders, and they
were sustained by many Democratic journals.
Here in Maine the Argus put itself on record
in these words: "The action of the Commis-
sion must be final;" and further said: "The
issue is submitted to tribunal as wise,
independent and as just as it is possible to
agree upon"
Yet in face of these declarations the Demo-
Gratis propose to reopen the dispute and
plunge the country once more into danger
Gus and proitless controversy. Their revolu-
tionary attempt merits the condemnation of
patriotic and law-abiding men.