Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-02-09
THE TENDENCY OF PUBLIC EVENTS
THE DUTY OF THE PEOPLE.

IhE NE
THE DUTY OF THE PEOPLE.
AS compensation for all the trials and
anxieties which the American people have
suffered during the past five years to preserve
their Government and the infnitude of bless
ings dependent upon it, the facts demonstrate
every day, that events are finally shaping
themselves to meet every requirement looking
to the complete triumph of republcanism on
this continent Whilst the war was in pro
gress, the contingency of a war with France,
as a condition of the expulsion Of imperialism
from Mexico, was one of the commonest
speculations or probabilities, possible; but,
rid of the conflict amongst ourselves, the
Mexican complication is rapidly working its
own cure, the basis upon which the empire
was projected-the final breaking up and
destruction of the Union-having been falsely
reckoned upon by Louis Napoleon as a thing
certain. And although this now apparent and
impending result may have sadly interfered
with certain class Of gentlemen amongst us,
who are never satisfied unless at swords points
with somebody; men whose delight it is to 1--we
in storm-yet what can afford greater salts
faction than this to the great body of our
peaceably disposed citizens, men who although
Just out of one of the most terrible struggles
ever known, went into it only in self defence
in defence Of the right, and Of those free in
situations it was their sacred duty to transmit
unimpaired to the generations that are to
come after them?
And if we are fast being relieved of the
presence of this but recently dark cloud upon
the horizon of our future; if from causes in
dependent of our action, the Mexican question
is solving itself, have we not reason to hope
that other, and what have always seemed less
threatening combinations, will also compose
themselves, and that ere long, with every
danger surmounted, the very name of the
Union will mean peace? If governments are
indeed instituted ''for the benefit of the gov
erned," instead Of for the benefit of poll
ticans and rulers, should not the people
insist upon their evident prerogatives in this
regard? should they not look confidently and
with determination to the time when this or
that mouthing demagogue cannot ''resolve"
them into fierce disputes and wide spread
dissensions; should it not be the case-that
with aristocracies extinguished, and class legis-
lation for the few done away WITH that the
masses should assert their rights, and have
larger share than ever before in the direction
of public affairs?
Say what we may in regard to the deep
seated antagonisma and radical causes, which.
ingrained in the very structure of the govern
ment, provided in some sort for the terrible
contest lately terminated, yet all can remember
how large a share certain extremists on both
sides had in precipitating it, at last and now.
when all are ready-at least, theoretically-to
ayow their belief that hereafter we must have
peace, has not habit, the love of excitement.
intolerance, everything to do in perpetuating
strife? Shall it be said in the future, that
with the great causes of quarrel removed or
settling themselves, we cannot settle or con
troll the smaller? and must we for years to
come, still look forward to wranging, denun-
citation, mistrust and divisions, as the inheri-
lance we are to bequeath to our children?
The simple but sublime spectacle witnessed
within the past few months, when million
of fighting men, quietly disbanded by the
Government they had defended and preserved
at infinite peril to themselves, have been found
bending over their tasks in the workshop or
at the plough, with no thought further of con
fict in any shape should rebuke to silence
those who, never sharing their tolls and dan
gers, cannot now initiate their example in
their love for peace. The soldiers of the re-
public went back to their labors, in the conf
dent belief that they had indeed won cessation
from strife; and who doubts but that the great
body Of these men-the actual cOmbatants of
either side-could at the close Of the war have
shaken hands upon it, and pledged themselves
to peaceful sentiments and forbearance in all
time to come? 1t is the more distasteful.
therefore, when the dist urbance is continued:
the hopes Of the nation are still postponed
and when those who wish to see the nation ad-
vance IN material prosperity are compelled TO
turn again and again to our halls of legisla-
ton, to see whether and how far, States and
communities may be embroiled again.
After all, the nation is not without its hopes
and its safeguards, in regard to these matters.
If party leaders are persistent and busy over
their schemes to consolidate and WELD for
their own advancement the influences thcv
have at command, the President stands there
to quietly admonish and hold them in check
to remind them that there is a limit beyond
which they should not pass. As he has treated
the Mexican question, leaving to time and
probabilities the adjustment of complications
Immediately beyond his control except at
sacrifices too great, so he has dealt with the
extremists whose plans have been laid to an
noy him; to weary him; to make him concede
action his judgment could not approve. Time
and patience have indicated his wisdom in
the one case; and speedily the nation will
concede his good Judgment in the other.
And now, since the people must needs see
all this; must know it reflect upon it; will
they, or can they longer encourage those who
are determined the nation shall have no quiet,
except it be through new troubles and convnl,
sions? With thirty years of quarrelina and
threats, and four years of bloody and terrific
warfare, must those who are weared out with
all this, see other months and years stretching
away IN the future, rife with new divisions,
possibly new bloodshed in the interests of
factions? Above all, for us here in MARYLAND
must people who have had the good for,
time to come out of the greater trial and war
fare almost unframed, make themselves q
future in what would seem to be the lesser.
such as would bring more substantial evils
upon it than even the war produced? Having
approved ourselves in the past, a common
wealth capable of setting a good example to
sister States, must we from causes easy of adj
Justment now, forfeit all this, and become a
bye word for our divisions when these are
ended in other States?