The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-06
The New Epoch.


for this coustry. We have been passing
through terrible intermediate condition 10
arrive ut it, and although we csnnot REGARD
$. a. yet inaugurated, we know that e'1-
cums,auces have brought it 10 the country
and the means of the Inauguration aie "
Ing gathered together for lis speeoS ioio'''
institution.
F-om this era we must have ne" oruei
az things and new political literature VIC
src ont of the first age OF the Repuoiic' auo
entering upon the second. The institutions
and customs belonging to frugal people
and n sparsc.y-settled country have been al
tered 70 Others perhaps necessary for State
greatly increasing in power, aud popuia-
lion whose numbers. and wants, and habits
are widely different from those of our pre-
deceSsors.
Whether the process Of the change was
unavoidable or not is question OF itselt.
1t was directed by those having TIE power,
and we have borne il. Thank God, we are
about through it.
Now, then, the second act Of our national
drama is about being brought on. Naturally,
il should be favorable to increase of national
dignity aud power. AS far rs possible, the
abominable burlesque of cur Government
which the very bad men who have ruled 1t
since the war have made should be eficed,
and ali our measures should go towards I'M
proving the Government, inspiring conf
deace, purifying the legislative by purifying
the governing or electing power. and inspi-
ring confidence everywhere by stamping the
Government. With the impress Of intelli.
gence, sincerity, capacity, and patriotism.
Then we shall have harmony, thrift, and
peace. We shall have the tranquility OF
order.
That the re must be change In the spirit
OF the National Constitution or, rather, the
light in which it Is viewed and construed
IS certain. UDquestiouably secession" is
on: Of the question. No State will ever be
permitted TO resort TO that remedy for evils,
o. encroachments upon its rights as it un-
derstands them. That there must be, for the
sake of TIE safety aud the comfort as we'll as
individual rights OF the people, local au.
;hoIity Ia all the States, every State and cti.
gen will assert. The boundary line between
the powers OF the General Government and
the State authority is easily settled, and as
long Is honest rulers have to decide it there
will be 20 trouble. So that the hope of the
States is in eIeciiug good men to govern.
There can be 10 other safeguard. The
States Individually will never be permitted
TO decide for themselves.
The States in body must settle all ques-
tiops OF outrage and coLfltct. The idea now
is that the safety Of each will require the
combined action of all According 10 some
of our foretathers. this may lead to tyranny
(indeed it has, but it is the only practicable
remedy nor. The States as whole have
an irrepr ssSble dread of disruption, and a
controlling pride in the power and raStness
OF The Union. These sentiments have usually
led to arbitrary government. That is but
natural. and we cannot avoid the fate of all
nations.
Yet, we say, If the people are guided by
roper reasons and motives they can main
lain the .federatioe feature Of our political
,ysttm successfully and peacefully. They
ran insure the impartial administration of
The powers of the Federal Government,
" bch, after all, is indispensable to peace.
This view is, we are sure, correct, and upon
j. We must all settle down with the happy
consolation that it will insure as much ma
tional harmony aud prosperity as may be
reasonably expected in this world.
This epoch we consider to be introduced
by the elections Of Tuesday. We trust to
Fee no more personal government after the
present. We trust to see Government
tina. wiz direct its measures TO the improve
ment Of the land and the advancement Of
Civilizations Government that will feel it
an obligation to promote the power of in
telligence and capacity over public affairs,
and that will PROTECT SOCIETY FROM THE
CAUSES OF DEPRECIATION AND DECAY, FOR TIE
GOOD OF THE NATION AND FOR THE GOOD OF
MANKIND.
Let us hail the new era with all the conso-
lation we can derive from it.