The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-25

, nox+ Step Towards Despousm'
n a,. w,ssington telegram to the nc"
-, III 7,,1uue, which we copy III to-aay ;
D,spo,ch. unfolis another step to"a'"S
desnotism which will startle. we suppose
neonle in all sections of the country. ! ne
news yesterday evening was tn'' NV -"
dietary Committee of the House had as.ei-
mined to report bill to carry II OUT IL,
bill enforccs the Objectionable 'eal"iee VI
all the previous acts for ovcr'a"i'S 'n'
neople at the polls. and increases the rlGo'
with which they are 10 be put in opcrailo"'
making the power of the Federal Govern
me1t over the elections such that the L eue-
raj Administration may take them Ihoes Us
direction, and give them jus; such u nue.
and shane as il chooses. The bill Is lnteho-
ed. saws Washington letter, to take ehect
ut every precinct in the country III CoA-
cresssonal and Presidential elections.
The Tribune. which has for some time,
upon such questions as amnesty ana the
policy of cemency towards the South. taken
the liberal side, has not n word TO say on
this measure. 1t is as dumb rs an oyster.
Indeed, it would appear that this step was
determined upon as party movement,
probably party necessity, in view of re-
cent elections. The old trick OF paradlns
"rebel outrages before the country was
the convenient device for the occasion, and
was first brought forward like cannonading
from the batteries under which the sortic is
made. The actors have well remembered
their cues, and the performance is i'll rcsi-
lar order thus far.
We suppose that the long letter i'll the
Tribune is put forth as fcelcr to test the
pubic sentiment. But it will hardly arouse
any decided feeling, except amongst those
opposed to the present Administration.
Congress has ruled with such sweeping
hand. and its measures have been 50 bold
and reckless, that people have ceased to
wonder and to be surprised at any measure,
however unconstitutional and however ag-
gressive.
II the people acquicsce and show no dis
appreciation Of this step to get the elections
entirely into the hands of the Federal Gov
ernment-to direct them at the polls, and
TO yitiatc them at its pleasurc-it is not dt1h'
cult to see how the party in power may
perpetuate its reign nor is it difficult to
see emerging from such state of things
the strife which will terminate in the
usurpation of the powers OF Government
by one man; for tyranny, such rs may be
established by the machinery Congress Is
now building, cannot be maintained by
many, but must inevitably resolve Itself
into the rule Of one man.
The period is critical and full of intense
interest for the people OF the Union. They
may, by long custom, have grown insen>l'
BILE to the dangers which menace their lib
critics, and the Congress may proceed
quietly forging the chains for them. II SO,
SO let it be. They will find their fatal error
when it is too late.
Parties are mporary-principle are ell
during. The Republicans may seek to per
petuate their power by violent means bnt
~ those means are utterly hostile TO repub-
lican liberty, they will end in The utter
destruction OF that liberty. IN that ruin
the so-called Republican party itself will be
involved, and it will he struck down by the
very power under whose protection it
sought the way to the continued possession
of the public offices in defiance OF the pub
lie sentiment. The Republicans cannot
change the inevitable laws of Providence,
and they, too, must meet the fAtcs io:cor-
dained for those who seek advantages by
ayailing themselves OF strate2cms mconl-
patible with order and with right.
We arc not without hope that this new
proposition will fail. 1t is surprising that
after such Il lapse Of time since the WI
this attempt to arouse the sectional pas
sions afrcsh, and to shape the laws of the
country for the purpose of pcrpctuatlng
party domination should he made, and we
hope that the people in the north and the
west are not now disposed 10 prolong The
arbitrary power Of Congress and the ENcc-
utiye ut the expense OF the peace aud har-
mony-nay, the very liber!ics-of the coun-
try.
Will the people of all the States &C.
quesce in this interference with the State
authoritics-this complete destruction and
sweeping away of State law, rs We'll rs au-
thority We shall see.