Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-19
THE ELECTORAL COUNT.

auJourns without taxing any acIiou uPou
the important matter of the electoral
count. 1t has for some time been believed
that the Democrats were determined to
leave this question in its present unsatis-
factory state It will be remembered that
notwithstanding the danger which threat
ened the country at the last Presidential
election, nothing has been done to prevent
a repetition of precisely similar embar-
easements. The reason of this inaction is
plain. The Democrats now control Con-
gress, and they perceive that the absence
of any settled plan of action with regard
to the electoral count may enable them, in
the event of close election, to seat their
candidate. The spirit of party is thus, as
always, Indifferent to the national well.
being, and those who are under its sin
lister influence are willing to entail any
mischief upR the country rather than
surrender the chance of a factional
triumph. The presumption is that moth
ing will be done to settle the question
unless Congress is forced to take &C
ton, and the course which it is now
said the President contemplates would
probably be the only one capable of bring
ing about solution. If an extra session
were called, and message clearly point
ing out the necessity of action upon
the electoral count was laid before Con-
gress, it would no longer be possible for
that body to shirk the issue, and it would
also be compelled to decide upon a just
and equitable method of adjustment. 1t
is not possible to rely upon the tactics
which at the last election saved the coun-
try. 1t cannot be believed that the Dem
Gratis would again submit the question to
an Electoral Commission, unless, indeed,
they were able to pack that body in their
own interest 1t must be remembered
that though on the former occasion the
final decision of the Commission was ac-
cepted, it was at the same time sharply
questioned, and that large proportion of
the nation has never ceased to believe
that it was unfairly procured. 1t is clear,
therefore, that no dependence can be
placed upon any such recourse in the
event of a deadlock, and that lack
ing any well-considered and perfectly
equitable arrangements, the natural tend
ency of the majority in Congress to enforce
their own desires would be very apt to |
produce condition of things even more
menacing than existed four years ago. Nor
can it be ignored that the advocates of the
third term proposition have had in view |
some such ENHANCEMENT as is here FORE
Swallowed, in all their vague talk about the |
peculiar availability of General Grant.
They have asserted that he was the only |
man who, if elected, would be sure to see |
that he secured his seat. When asked to |
explain the meaning of this mysterious |
declaration they have declined to do so,
but those who can read between the lines
have no difficulty in understanding that
what is anticipated is the overthrow of the
Democrats in Congress by armed force
The country has probably had quite
enough revolutionary scares, however.
Four years ago there was brief period
during which civil war seemed imminent,
and there must be few who have forgotten |
the sudden and serious shock which this |
apprehension gave to business throughout |
the Union. The American people do not |
want any more experiences of that kind. |
They are not willing that every interest |
should be put in jeopardy for no better
purpose than the qualification of party |
revenges or ambitions. They long since
demanded that the machinery of the cleo
toral count should be so adjusted and per-
fected as to render fraud and trickery i'm |
possible, and they will unquestionably |
hold to strict account those who now
endeavor to prevent the settlement of this
vital question while there is yet time. No |
doubt there are difficulties in this case, but |
there are certainly no insuperable diff
culties. The most serious obstacles are |
those which faction has reared, and they
can be cleared away without endanger-
ing any national interest. This time the
responsibility rests with the Democrats, |
and we are decidedly OF opinion t.aS Is Is I
they adjourn now without doing anything
in the premises, it will become the duty
of the President to recall them, and force |
them to commit themselves one way or the |
other in the face of the country. The |
Democrats, by their evident reluctance to |
act, are at present unconsciously strength
ening the third-term movement, for they
are promoting belief that it may be neces-
sary to nominate some Republican who can
be relied on even to violate the Con-
stitution rather than suffer himself to be |
fraudulently counted out. This of course
is very dangerous turn to give to
popular thought, for there are few infiu-
ences more fatal to free government than
that partisan heat which finds in the ex
cesses of political opponents excuses for
still further usurpations, and which leads
earnest men on insensibly from step to
step, until the landmarks of the Constitu-
ton are altogether lost sight of, and the
form of government is changed for the |
worse. 1t is the interest of patriotism that
such danger should be guarded against
before partisan passion has taken too strong |
a hold on the masses, for then it may not |
be possible to act wisely or effectively. If |
President Hayes follows the course which |
it is said he favors at this moment, he |
will deserve well of the country, and he |
will almost certainly avert very grave and
menacing evils.
THE TEXTBOOK QUESTION
So far as can be ascertained the choice of |