The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-20
The Good Old Times.
Erom Me YribuNe.

From the Tribune
In the peroration Of General DiX's speech
before the Randall Convention he uttered, with
the most melancholy effect, that moan over the
glores OF the past which oCtogenarian stage
drivers unbosom when they see a steam engine.
There are many descendants of Mrs. Lot who,
like General Dix, look back in sorrowful regret
ana forward with fear and trembling. To such
people, who are the salt of the earth in a very
unfortunate sense, General DiX's admiration of
the old republic will be more acceptable than
the faith OF better reformers in the future Union.
His sorrow for the dead is wasted, as there is no
hope that tears will effect resurrection, but as
what he says many people are weak enough to
accept without examining, we have desire to
see what reason exists tor ''the good old times.n
He called upon the delegates Ito bring back
the republic, purified and strengthened by the
fiery ordeal through which IL has passed, to Its
ancient prosperity and power; to present to the
world an example worthy OF lmitatlon-no Uto-
plan vision OF good government, but the grand
old reality Of the better times, bringing up the
memory Of our fathers and the recollections of
the past, with The past and the future insepara-
bly, entwined-one country, one flag, one Onion
OF equal States" Which We call very good,
indeed.
1t Is the privilege of men who, like General
Dix, have outllved their political usefulness, to
babble OF tie beauties OF the past and to eXpa.
tiate pathetcally upon the virtues OF the tore
fathers. God forbid that we should detract one
jot or little from the historical glory of our
country But General Dix knows as well as we
do that from the very commencement of our
national existence, there was anything but
accord on the question of slavery, and that
subsequently it was constantly interfering with
the peace and prosperity OF the land. The
trouble was as rite in the Convention of 1877, of
which General DIX speaks so tenderly, as at any
subsequent period. The battle has been waged
ever SINCE, sometimes more and sometimes less
almost SubsidinU mt u
peace, and then raging with newed ferceness
but never, in spite OF compromises of truces,
and OF subterluges, has the contest been con.
Cluded. General DIX knows Chis, for he has
sometimes been in the thickest of the fray. To
ignore the fact that slavery made trouble
between the states in l776, again in 1887,
again when Missouri was admitted, con-
stantly whenever revenue policy was to be
adjusted or new territory received is to close
our eyes to nine-tenths of the history of the
country, and to disregard its most necessary
and important lessons. General Dix almost
swoons 10 rapture in contemplating "the grand
old reality OF better times but all Welkinformed
persons know that all through the golden era
OF the Generals imagination there were dissen-
siOns and iealousies, and vital disagreements
which finally eliminated In the great Rebellion
The simple truth is, that the nation is better off
than ever before, as ali nations should be after
political existence OF nearly century, and
will be if they are destined TO last century
longer. We have rid ourselves of slavery legally
established, and we are in a fair way of Kidding
ourselves OF the social anomalies which the de-
parting monster has left in It's trail, including
the politicians who have learned nothing and
have forgotten nothing.
There is very little analogy between the cir.
cumstsnces of the country Just after the Reyo.
luton and our condition at the present time.
But suppose, for the sake of illustration that
Connecticut or Massachusetts had remained
loyal to George the Third, and Immediately
after the recognition OF our independence had
sent delegates to assist in framing Constltu.
lion. We fancy that they might have knocked
some time before gaining admission; and our
fathers, sages and philosophers as they were.
would hardly have kept their tempers if these
same delegates had assumed to dictate the terms
upon which they we're to be accorded entrance
1t would have been found, we suspect, that the
dictation, II any, was to come from the Other
side. II men or States put themselves into !
dubious political position, they mus
submit to be distrusted until they have
given plenary evidence OF repentance, and sufIl
cient surety of good conduct for the future.
the late Rebel States persist in keeping al
political power in the hands OF those who arr