Year: 1877

avcrsc TO oil this They have been credited with de-
termination 10 crush every effort looking agree
ment OF Tho two houses. They filing their
organs all the country with assertions that the
Vice President has the constitutional right to count
and thus preparing the publis mind TO sustain heir
open opposition 10 plan the joint committee might
produce, and meantime they using party terror.
Ism and all other means to prevent agreement IN
the committee. They pointed to the silence Of shc
country as evidence that "nobody wants plan or
agreement and they had already, by few days OF
uniEtermtting work, cowed Senators and
puzzled others tina. doubtful whether any plan
or agreement could pass the Senate.


The Chander-Morton theory that Il Is oetter TO
provoke now war than to give up the powcr they
possesa They held that the democrats would blum
der; that the Vice Presidents count would be
cepied by tho country. any that which had
the most plausible appearance OF loyalty; that II
democratic mass meeting assembled here It would
thorzs and produce republican counter demonstra-
lion, and tha, with the federal power. forces and
arms in their hands. they could crush any
here, while II u should extend ana become general
outbreak, they would thank Heaven for rebellion,
IN which they meant to DO the mon 70 enforce peace
anc carry out the laws


II Is difficult sec that this scheme was full Of
strong points II the democrats submitted then
Chandler would have carried his pont and hc Nor.
ton and Sherman would reckon the necessary graf
itude Of Hayea II tho democrats resisted-as they
undoubtedly would, and as no force or influence
which could be used could prevent them from DONG
then hurrah for new war, a vast raid the South
In the name OF peace; and these leaders, who carried
on the last canvass q crusade, believed the people
would follow them, or, rather would spring TO arms al
democratic demonstration.


The one thing feared by Chandler, Morton and shor-
mn h, sha
plan-any plan-for a count OF the vote They
not avcrse plan which should leave tho decision
concerning the disputed States a committee COM
posed entirely OF members Of the two houses. Tho
members OF such committee would have been chosen
by party caucuees, and was well understood that
Mr.. Morton would manage that men should be ap-
pointed from the republican side who would disagree
TO everything But the proposition adopted to
bring in legal experts and those judges OF the Supreme
Court, was different matter The republican leaders
could not hope that these judges could be deceived
that they would decide partisan grounds the ques
tons as to constitutional methods law and weight OF
evidence which will now come before them. Mr.
Chandler and his allies not bunderers they have


perfect knowledge OF tho facts in the disputed Staes
they know that their In Florida and Louisiana
will not bear even slight investigation by men
trained to this work and impartial In their Judgment
Hence their prompt alarm and opposition to this plan
OF calling in judges OF the Supreme Court and the
immediate renewal of tho cry IN oil the republican
organs that the Vice President must count Hence
the threats that were made hero prior the agree-
ment that any man in either house who even weak
ened this question should be considered traitor
his party should be opposed homo aud denounced
everywhere, and should be summarily expelled from
public life. Such threats have moro effect hero than
you think. as multitude Of Congressman hold their





on tho help of the party They also friends and
allies In local Offices and they have been accustomed
to follow their leaders.


But therc the least doubt that the admnstra.
ton leaders conceived that their main strength lay in
the supineness Of the public Daily and trumphantiy
they pointed their followers to the fact that nobody
demanded an agreement or plan.


The people don't care" they urged "why should
you move-how dare you move against your party ?"


The lew amable politicians sent here from New
York and other cities Tor honest settlement only
excited their contempt


'Thcy were signed by sorcheads, =" they said. 'sThe
party is unit Stand still and II will all bo right


The Senatorial elections In Illinois and Massachu-
sctts attract extraordinary interest," because the re-
suits there would give some evidence Of popular feel
ing. II Messrs. Boutwell, and Logan reelected It
would be held by Chandler and Morton as a clenr in.
dorsement Of their course. for both Boutwell, and
Logan have committed themselves 10 the most cx-
trcme measures-even to a new war-if that would DO
necessary 10 put in Hayes, and Mr. George f. Hoars
course, which is moderate and judicial, had already
caused him to DO privately denounced as q traitor and
better than fool.


say to you, therefore, that unless the two houses
had agreed upon plan before the 18th OF February
mono would have been adopted; and in that case my
deliberate advice to everybody would TO prepare for
a new and bloody do not say this hastily; you
know that have uncommonly good means for know.
Ing what goes here below the surface The danger
not greater In 1860 than IL has been In 1871 |
have given you not mere impressions; tho Tears
have expressed and the schemes havo related werc
the topics OF private consultation daily among
members OF all classes. War was In tho air, and
despondency gained tho hand among men
anxious Tor peace. while tho other side grew more
boastful and assured of Happily all this cloud
OF doubt and danger has been sspaed by tho agree
ment OF the joint committee peaceful and cons,tu.
tonal settlement Of the question ISSUE Tho coun.
try has been from terrible peril and our nsti.
tutions receive renewal OF strength tho fact that
they have withst0od such tremendous strain.