The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-11-13
The New Epoch.

Inc new EpOcAs
The election of Tuesday dates new
era for this country. We have been
passing through terrible intermediate
condition to arrive at it, and although
we can not regard it as yet inaugurated,
we know that circumstances have
brought it to the country, and the means
of the Inauguration are being gathered
together for its speedy formal institu-
tion.
From this era we must have new or
der of things and new political litera-
ture. We are out of the first age of the
Republic and entering upon the second.
The institutions and customs belonging
to frugal people and sparsely settled
country have been altered to others per-
haps necessary for State greatly in
creasing in power, and a population
whose numbers and wants and habits
are widely different from those of our
predecessors.
was unavoidable or not is a question of
itself. it was directed by those having
the power, and we have borne it. Thank
God we are about through it.
Now, then, the second act of our Ma
tionaI drama is about being brought on.
Naturally it should be favorable to in
crease of National dignity and power.
As far as possible, the abominable bur-
lesques of our Government which the
very bad men who have ruled it since
the war have made should be effaced,
and all our measures should go toward
improving the Government, inspiring
confidence, purifying the legislative by
purifying the governing or electing
power, and inspiring confidence every
where by stamping the Government with
the impress of intelligence, sincerity
capacity and patriotism. Then we shall
have harmony, thrift and peace. We
shall have the tranquility of order.
That there must be a change in the
SPlIAA Va LAS Adb1OAIdA SOuSLALubAOAy VI
rather, the light in which it is viewed
and construed, is certain. Unquestion.
ably secession" is out Of the question
No State will ever be permitted to re.
sort to that remedy for evils, or en-.
croachments upon its rights as it under.
stands them. That there must be fol
the sake of the safety and the comfort
as well as individual rights of the peo
pie, local authority In all the States
every State and citizen will assert The
boundary line between the powers of the
General Government and the State au
thority is easily settled, and as long al
honest rulers have to decide it there will
be no trouble. So that the hope of tn,
States is in electing good men to govern
There can be no other safeguard. Th'
States individually will never be per
mitted to decide for themselves.
The States in body must settle all ques
tions of outrage and conflict. The ide,
now is that the safety of each will re
quire the combined action of all Ac
cording to some of our forefathers thi
may lead to tyranny (indeed it has, bu
it is the only practicable remedy now
The States, as whole, have an irrepress
ible dread of disruption, and controll
ing pride in the power and vastness o
the Union. These sentiments have us
ually led to arbitrary government. Tha
is but natural, and we can not avoid tn
fate of all nations.
Yet, we say, if the people are guidet
by proper reasons and motives, the,
can maintain the federative feature O
our political system successfully an,
peacefully. They can insure the impair
tial administration of the powers of tn
Federal Government, which, after all, i
indispensable to peace.
This view is, we are sure, correct, an,
upon it we must all settle down with tn
happy consolation that it will insure a
much national harmony and prosperity
as may be reasonably expected in thi
world.
This epoch we consider to be intro
duced by the elections of Tuesday. W,
trust to see no more personal govern
ment after the present. We trust to Sc
a Government that will direct its meas
ures to the improvement of the land an'
the advancement of civilization;
| Government that will feel it an obl,pa
tion to promote the power of intelli
gence and capacity over public affairs
and that will protect society from tn
causes of depreciation and decay, for tn
good of the Nation and for the good o
mankind
Let us hail the new era with all tn
consolation we can derive from it,
Richmond Dispatch.