New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-08
THE PEOPLES GOVERNMENT.

Despite the efforts Of O certain class of English
journalists to disparage the political institutions OF
this country the events Of the last five years OF our
history have so focibly illustrated the superior excel
lence Of popular government, il is developed among
u.s. that the eyes Of the civilized world are fixed
in wonder and admiration upon the great Republic Of
the West Not only So but these events by discover
ing to the American people the real vitality and power
of the principles underlying their institutions have
confirmed their faith in the doctrine of popular soye
regnty and more than endcared their Government
to them Previous to the outbreak of the Rebellion,
the American nation had known no great trouble
had been subjected to no crucial tests 1t had enjoyed
long and unbroken ofprosperty; and although
the people believed in themselves they had but very
faint idea of their power-ther power of endur-
ance their power of achievement, in the contingency
of imminent national peril. The popular response to
the appeal which the war made to the patriotism OF
the Americans showed Of what great things they were
capable; the vigOr with which the Government prose
cuted the terrible conflict and the glorious success
which finally crowned its efforts for the suppression of
armed treason, proved to demonstration that SO
far from being broken reed ;" as some bad suppos'
ed it possessed all the attributes Of the most COM
pletely equipped executive. Who does not remember
the prophesies in which European journalists and
statesmen profusey ndnlged four years ago relative
to the doom of the Unioni To e1tinguish the
fires of rebellion, to subdue the South, was
pronounced an impossbility. Jefferson Davis,
il was said, had made nation. The Union
was numbered among things Of the past; the
Federal compact was ruptured were told never to
be restored. With most of these prophets Of evil,
tha fu,;sb coth u0ht - hut
at any rate the political reactionss Of the Old World
positively reyeled in the anticipation of the utter
breakdown Of the Peoples Government. Undsmayed,
however, by these gloomy representations, the
American people took the matter vigorously in hand,
resolved that this Government should not perish
from off the earth" And they succeeded in saving it
mot, however, without terrible sacrifices. They
saved il; and the politicians and woud-be seers OF
Europe stood wOnder-stricken at tho achievement.
But the peril was not yet over. With the close OF
the war new difficulties arose, new dangers
doomed up TO threaten the peace and safety OF
the country. The enemies Of freedom had not
lost all hope. What adversely had failed
to accomplish, success, it was thought
might bring in its train. There was still possibility
of diSntegration and ruin. There was colossal
army 10 be disposed Of There was mammoth debt
to be met Well, the army was forthwith disbanded
with the exception Of comparatively triAing force
st retained in service hundreds OF thousands Of war
riors quietly melting into the great mass of citizens
and throwing aside the weapons Of for the imple
ments Of industry. As TO the debt, that was immed
aely grsppled WITH and il Ia now in process Of rapid
liquidation. We may well congratulate ourselves
upon these things; but new and unexpected danger
threatens us. Executive usurpation has arisen to
stand in the way of reconciliation aud peace to dis
tract the councils Of tho nation, and to impair its
power for consolidation. How are the American