New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-11-19
ACQyIEsCENCE IN THE POPULAR
VERDICT.

Nearly sixty.four years have passed since
Thomas jefferson, in his first Inaugural, pro-
nounced 80 scquiescence IN the decision OF ma
jority, the vital principle Of republics, from
which there can be no appeal but to force, the
vital principle and immediate parent of despot-
ism" Mr.. Jefferson may have seen, Though
irs do not,) how to reconcile this axiom with
thespirit ard purport Of his Kentucky ''resolu-
tons of 49," but there can be no doubt that
his "sober second thought" was right, whatever
may be said of his first And the heartiness,
the unanmity, with which the Peoples verdict,
pronounced in their late Presidential Election,
hss been accepted as conclusive throughout
the loyal States and loyal portions OF disoyal
States afford fresh proof of the tenacious vitality
of our Republican institutions, and the new
force and emphasis which their cardinal princi-
ple has acquired from the sad but wholesome
experiences of the last four years.
A few days ago. We were involved in the
fierce and angry strife of Presidential contest.
The waves Of party spirit rolled mountain high;
elimination begat recrimination; anticipations
Of military despotism at the polls, and threats Of
resistance unto blood 10 case the election were
thus vitiated resounded throughout the land.
A newly landed foreigner, glanoing at our long
professions, our mass meetings, and listening 10
the violent language which was therein received
with laundering scclamations, might well have
supposed that We were on the brink Of a fresh
and formidable convulsiOn. But the day of
election psssed-passed i'll general qaiet, with
scarcely trace Of violence or riot-and the
early hours Of the next morning saw the result
flashed from Maine to Kansas without evoking
one defiant or menacing utterance--without
unmssking one traitor who had not been known
a. q traitor already. The supporters of the
Opposition ticket had made . most determined
osnvsss-they had commenced it with resolu.
ton and prosecuted it with enthusiasm
they had polled very large popular vote,
though not enough to win-and they frankly
and promptly accepted the result as they would
have expected us to accept it had we instead Of
they been outnumbered. They did not surren.
der their preference, but they readily admitted
that it had been overborne, and recognized the
successful candidates as the elect of the People,
the chosen administrators of the Government
for the ensuing four years. Journals that had
been most vehement in their opposition TO Mr..
Lincoln were among the foremost in recognizing
and deferring to his reelection as fact; and
in ell the loyal portion of our Union there was
not one single voice raised in favor Of resistance
or delnur to the popular verdict. Thus the Re-
public stands strongerin the hearts Of the masses
and is based on surer foundations in this fourth
year OF vast and terrible civil war than ever
before. And even were it longer possible for the
Rebellion to succeed in dividing our country, it
could not hereafter disOrganize and gradually
disintegrate that portion which it failed at the
outset " tear away with it. The immense
msiOrities in Indiana and Illinois are cit responses
TO the dark and traitorous conspirsces whereby
those States have specially been distracted,
while the unsnimity and emphasis with which
the Pscifc States have spoken sfforda fresh and
strong attestation of the vitality and perpctuity
Of the American Union.
The disappointment and chagrin which this
msjostic exhibition Of loyalty and concord have
sroited in the breasts Of the Rebels arc but
clumsily disguised in the bitter comments and
fsigued. CIRCULATION of their journals. In the
substantial unanimity and hearty accord Of the
loysl States, they read the doom Of Secession.
And what they tremblingly fOreses, they will
orc long realize.