l votes in each of them to
Hayes and Wheeler; and on the 6th day of December, when the electors
met in the several states, the result of the count from all the States
of the Union showed 185 electors for Hayes and Wheeler, 184 for Tilden
and Hendricks. The Democrats had hoped to the last that at least one
of the States, or at least one of the electors in the three States,
would be returned for Tilden and Hendricks, and when they found that
every vote of the three States was counted for Hayes and Wheeler their
anger knew no bounds. Threats were openly made that Hayes should never
be inaugurated. One fiery editor promised that a hundred thousand
Democrats would march to Washington and take possession of the
Government in the name of the President whom they claimed to have been
duly elected.

President Grant, noticing the condition of the public mind and giving
full heed to the possibility of danger, quietly strengthened the
military forces in and about Washington, with the intention simply of
suppressing disorder, but as excited Democrats declared, with the
design of installing Hayes by the aid of the Army of the United States.
At no time in General Grant's career did his good judgment, his cool
temperament, and his known courage prove more valuable to his
countrymen. Every honest man knew that the President's intention was
to preserve order and to see that the conflict in regard to the
Presidency was settled according to law. To avert the reign of a mob
he rightfully took care that the requisite military force should be
at the Capital. No greater proof of General Grant's power to command
was given, even on the battle-field, than the quieting effect of his
measures upon the refractory and dangerous elements that would have
been glad to disturb the public peace.

The portentous question which engaged the thoughts of all patriotic
men was the count of the electoral votes when the certificates from
the several States should be submitted to Congress. By a joint rule,
adopted in February, 1865, by the two Houses, preliminary to counting
the electoral votes cast at the Presidential election of 1864, it was
directed that "no electoral vote objected to shall be counted _except
by the concurrent votes of the two Houses_." This rule necessarily
expired with the Congress which adopted it, but it was observed as a
regulation (no one raising a question against it) in counting the
electoral votes of 1868 and 1872. Certain De