"Balto., Md., Nov. 24, 1876.
"Dear General,—Now is a time, it seems to me, when every true lover of our country will desire to do all he can to allay excitement and to reach an honest and fair conclusion upon the question about which all are thinking—Who ought to be the next President? I believe a great majority of the American people, North and South, desire peace and quiet, as well as an honest decision on that question; but there are, unfortunately, some in both sections, and perhaps in Congress, who have nothing to lose and may gain something by turmoil, strife, and excitement.
"When the pot boils much froth and scum rise to the surface, which otherwise might never be known to exist.
"It appears to me the crisis will be upon us when the two Houses of Congress meet to count or see counted the electoral votes. Disputes must arise about many questions, by reason of the complications now surrounding the situation. Who shall decide between them? The great want is a tribunal to whom may be referred at once, without debate or excitement, all disputed points. This tribunal should not only be honest and impartial and able, but the Congress and the people should believe so. Could not such a tribunal be organized before the dispute begins? It might be extraconstitutional, but its decrees could be made binding in this particular case by consent of all concerned.
"Let Congress request Mr. Tilden to select the chief judge in his State or in New Jersey or Virginia, and let Mr. Hayes take the chief judge of Ohio or Pennsylvania or Illinois or Massachusetts; let these two be joined by the Chief Justice of the U. S. as a third member.
"The last named has never been a violent partisan, and is specially acceptable to the bar in Richmond, Virginia, and elsewhere in the South. Let this tribunal decide all disputed points in accordance with the Constitution and precedents, as far as applicable, by common law and common-sense. Let their judgment be final and conclusive. By such a course justice would be done and all parties satisfied.
"Very truly yours,
"Wm. P. Craighill.
"Gen'l Geo. W. Morgan,
"Mount Vernon, Ohio."
G. W. MORGAN TO TILDEN
"Mount Vernon, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1876.