The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-07
THE AMERICAN POLICY.

THE AMERICAN POLICY.
Among the peculiarities of Americans
which Europeans, and especially oul
cousin John Bull, do not understand
perhaps there is none to them more unac
countable than the ease and readiness
with which we adapt ourselves to cir
cumstances. When we are on the ev'
of a presidential election, the whole
American people seem to be on the verge
of a revolution. Excited orators from
stumps and barrel heads, appeal to the
people and cry for vengeance on Their
oppressors. Indeed, If one were to
judge by these signs only, he would
certainly think that the whole fabric OF
American institutions was to be at once
overturned and the entire country laid
in ruins. What, however, is the actual
result? The next mornings sun after
the election looks down upon as peace
able set of people as the most Utopian
dreamer could desire. The orator late
ly so infiamed, seats himself quietly
down to his briefs; the champion OF
State rights, only yesterday raging
lion, is to-day driving the jack-plane in
his shop; and the knight of the shillely
who was going to overturn by force OF
arms the successful candidates, is seen
ascending the ladder with his hod as
peaceable as lamb. This is what an
Englishman or Frenchman cannot un-
derstand. In England, to say the least,
the ebbing and flowing from such an
ocean of electioneering excitement is
felt for many day among all classes
The late election in England has been
one of Of the most exciting known to
British history, though no serious ques-
tons were at issue. In France the small
fraction of the crowd that gather around
any of the polls in American country
towns would be sufficient to set the sans
cuIottes building baracades and the
French soldiery marching through the
streets with carbines loaded and sabres
drawn. When, therefore, our neighbors
across the water look upon US, expect
ing, and perhaps hoping for similar
result, they see, instead of storm anc
tempest, the smooth calm Of summer
sea.
But if such is the case In simple ele,
ton abroad, it is not strange that toreis
ers should look with so much doubt O
our ability to stand the shock of the mo
violent civil war ever known. Indc,,s
the course of a large part of the Engl.s
press has been based on this belief tina
the war would leave such acorn plete stat.
of decentralization at the North and til
South as to amount to defeat, and leave
to the government barren conquest
And there was, it must be confessed,
great cause for alarm, not yet wholly
passed by. The future, at times, has
looked very black, and there are dark
clouds still in the sky. The individual
good sense of each American citizen has
avertedsome evils; and the elasticity OF
our national character has risen asquie-.-
ly as it had been depressed. We accom-
modate ourselves rapidly to the changed
position. The press, that but lately was
filled with letters from the battlefield,
now records the deeds of the pen and
the plough. Vast armies, whose num-
bers short half-year since were as le-
gion, have quickly and quietly melted
away. The wild flowers of the forest,
that but yesterday bent before y rude
tread of armed men, have already arisen
clothed with fresh beauty; and the
forge, having ceased to turn out darts for
Mars, hastens to engage in the more
agreeable service Of Flora.
Already, indeed, at times the past
seems literally like ahideous dream-or
perhaps, resembles more the drama Of a
night. The scene shifts; the figures in
glittering costumes play their part; the
audience applaud until the house re-
sounds with huzzas. Soon, however,
the figures retire; the curtain falls; the
lights are extinguished; and, instead Of
the plaudits of delighted multitude,
ouiet and sombre shadows fall upon the
deserted building. 1t remains for Us
now to Justify the high reputation of ou
people by pursuing peace to prosperity
In formertimes we have passed from ex
citement into calmness, and the fury d
thecontest has vanished with its smoke
let it be so now. The moment is critical
and the men who now desire to keep pas
sion excited and hatred burning are tn
worst enemies of the country.
THE LADIES ON THE STREET