The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-21
The Signs of Danger.

To obseryant persons 1t Is very evident
that there Is great anxiety concerning the
regular working of the machinery OF our
republican system. The true patriots sec
wi,rrwhat facility ii may be perverted ana
violated by bad men, and they would ssaais
aaont any amendments which might give it
strength and protect the people from the out
RACES committed upon the safeguards OF the
Republic. The designing and corrupt poll
tjcians are alarmed at the apprehension that
the very outrages they bave committed to
facilitate their schemes for plumber and indi'
yilual advantage may be turned against
them. since the November elections admon-
.ish them that power is cbaDgeable and they
may not long retain 1t.
II Is with such feelings that the forms OF
electing President are now regarded. 1t Is
seen what returning boards may do, and
what trouble may arise in the possible hos
tile measures OF the Republican United States
Senate and the Democratic House of Repre-
sentatives two years hence. The Congress
being now largely Republican in both
Houses, the country may well suspect that
any measure passed by it will be designed
for the especial advantage Of the dominant
party.
1t is true great professions are made by the
party Republican leaders of public devotion
and desire to secure 10 the people full and
fair expression of their voice in the Presi-
dental cleo ion, but who can trust public
men who nave sustained every outrage that
has been committed on our institutions and
every injury inflicted upon the welfare; har-
mony, and dignity of the country since the
war?
The country must suspect any amendments
that may be made TO the election ~ VS. by the
present Congress as prompted by the worst
Of motives.
There is a light in which this matter is to
be regarded by the nation that is gloomy
enough. II is that the simple customs and
requirements that formerly answered per-
iectly in the practical operations of the Gov.
crnment for the expression Of the public
wirl and the due asccrtainment thereof arc
now inefficient, and afford feeble protection
against the designs Of scurvy politicians and
dishonest officials. Thirty yelrs ago who
dreamed that the laws with regard TO the
presidential election needed amendment
But the people and the public officers were
then honest and sincere; they respected both
law and the customs that grew up under
them, and all observed them in good faith to
their country and society.
The question arises: II the present laws
are Intellectual to shield the people from the
outrages of vicious public men, can any be
framed that will? Have locks yet been in.
vented to keep out rogues and burglars
Good government can only exist where
good people have the power. Public depra'
witty poisons the source Of power, and the
laws become vicious aud the public admins
traitors of them unfAithful.
In this view the excitement about the
forms of the presidential election may well
occasion pain and apprehension. 1t is q
strong sign of the wayward course of this
nation. These feelings are in no way dunn
ished when we come to think that the worst
party that ever existed in this land proposes
to amend the laws!