The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-24
Indications of Danger.

TTUW HVe IVUc5.
From one great source of peril consequent
upon the suppression of the Rebellion, the
country has escaped with an ease that reflects
honor upon the American people. The dis.
bandment of the armies and the, return of hun.
dreds of thousands Of soldiers TO the pursuits of
peaceful lie, produced none of the difficulties
which the most hopeful considered probable.
Beyond this, danger was not apprehended.
With the Reb ellon ended and the armed men
ON both sides dispersed, no fears were felt as
to the constitutional process of restoring the
Union.
Events have not harmonized with these antici
pations. Where trouble was feared none
occurred. Where smooth sailing was looked
forward to. the most serious embarra ssments
nave nave peen presented. The gallant fellows who
pore the flag of the Union to victory did not,
alter all, complete the restoration of national
unity. Ihelr suppression of the Rebellion was
Dut preliminary to renewal of the conflict in
an1tner EI shape. Where the soldiers lett off, the
Polltclans began. And TO day, after eighteen
nohths OF nominal peace, we are without the
guarantees OF the real, enduring quiet which
Ine +. war var was supposed to have secured.
II the delay and the uncertainty incident TO
1t concerned only the politicians. the neonIe
generally might safely keep Oh their way and
exercise no thought about it. Or if the delav
merely affected industrial and commercial inte-
rests, disturbing ledger balances or impedino
local development it might be submitted TO as a
loss winch future activity would soon over.
come. Unfortunately, however, evils of another
CHARACTER are experienced. The non-restora-
lion OF the Union jeopardizes all business and
ntuses into all enterprises more or less OF tbe
nature OF gambling. Worse still. II furnishes
an opportunity tor agitation which partisan
nraa are turning to account. 1t affords
pIetext for subjectiDg the work of restoration
W W DISCUSSIONS and influences which would be
P%tTIless We're restoration completed II
naSs;ons pS"; oS enprncipled men to excite the
and TO organize resistance To the III r uleu,
war. vi uurlng the
The effect is visible everywhere M,
tion which eighteen months ago woUiS soI sora-
been accepted as matter of COURSE is :. nave i.
moment resisted by Northern radicals "e es tnls
outrage that would justify another Rebe1l,oaNn an
Southern extremists are similarly disatfectoIa
though for different reasons. The radicals of tbse
North denounce the proposed conditions of re
storation as too lenient; the Southerners com
plain of them as too harsh and exacting. Dis
content IS cultivated on both sides. One
threatens hanging, con6scahon, destruction
the other passive, but dogged resistance. Tht
two influences combined produce peril t.
which the great majority of the people appear
strangely Indifferent.
The indications of danger multiply with ,
rapidity which would seem to render prolonged
indifference impossible. The orator or iour
nalst who should say that volcanic influences
underlie the surface of the country, and NAV a
any moment burst forth with fury hardl,
lnlerlor 10 tnat OF the heDenlOn, would probably
be accused OF straining after effect. His meta
phor would be objected to as extravagant anC
sensational And yet 1t would not TRANSCEND
the strict limits of truth. II would be the an
nonncement OF danger the evidence of whicl
exists on all sides,
what are the events now transpiring at Balti
more but the mutterings of a storm which viii
probably culminate In riot and bloodshed? Th
ra9 ana u Police S Commissioners and the police
an pouha IA outy 70 respect and uphold the law
are banded together TO defy ii, to resist its an
Plication, and to constitute their partisan ~ con p