The Van Buren press., 1875-05-18
THE CONTRAST.

the calm waters Of the political sea, yet
We cannot refrain from contrasting, not
only in our own state. bat throughout the
length and breadth of our entire land. the
present happy and peaceful state Of AZ
fairs with the .misrulc and anarchy that
existed under the government of radical
rcpublicanism. The conservative mass
es of the people looked upon the fierce
strides the republic was making towards
xbsolutism, with the direst apprehension.
They saw the sanctuary Of Their person
al rights invaded, and the foundations OF
their individual liberties threatened with
overthrowal. They saw the President
ovcrstepping the bounds within which he
was limited by the constitution, and as.
suming powers which merged towards
despotism. They saw the chief magis
trate Of the nation impose acts Of ipjus
tiee and intolerance upon those states
who gave evidence Of an ability and a
determination to be eased of the polti
cal shackles with which his party had
bound thers. Under the influence Of
such . depressing condition of affairs,
the business interests Of the whole coun
try we're psralyzed. Patriots, men who
loved their land with q sacred intensity,
trsmbled, with fear, when they behcld the
terrible political food OF imperialism that
was so slowly but surely undermining the
substructurc Vf the temple Of liberty
Liberal republicans, loving the peace and
prosperity of their country more than
party affiliations, joined with the con
servative masses, and turned aside the
angry political freshet that threatened to
sweep away. with the bosom Of destruc
ton every right and liberty which, as
frcemsn, they possessed.
The united efforts of the two parties
has displaced the clouds Of injustice and
oppression Ivy the clear bright, glorious
sunlight Of peace, prosperity and hap
py. Tue busy farmer, toilins amid the
blades Of waving grain, or reposing at
ease, IN his hours Of rest, beneath the
green -robed branches Of some over.
hanging tree, speaks. even louder than
words, OF that blessed angel Of peace
that has dismantled from the throne up
on which it has 50 long been seated the
Unsuitable Aend Of discord and misrulc
The merchant has resumed his place be
hind the counter, perfectly secure in the
possession Of those liberties. which, a
short time since, trembled upon the very
verge Of annihilation. The mechanic la
bors at bis bench, happy in the enjoyment
Of peace and security. Our ship Of state
is once more rid OF the fearful tornadosct
with which she has 50 long beea assailed,
and glides safely along the political sea.
The people rule and the state is prosper
ous and happy.
But there is one result which has grown
out OF the changed complexion OF the
political face Of the country, more bless.
ed and salutary in its influence, than any
other that has eventusted from it. 1t is
the breaking down, annihlating and de-
stroyiug beyond the possibility Of a res
toration, the dreadful barrier that had
grown to huge dimensions between the
north and the south since the war. and
prevented that amity aud peace which
every lover of his country must desire.
The fcderals and the confederates are no
longer separately decorating the graves
Of their dead braves, but are both unit
ing. and strewing nowers upon the lreen
mounds that rise above the whole coun.
try's sleeping dead. Oar heart jumps
to our mouth, as inexpressiblc JOY has
tens its palpitstions. What n contrast
Years ago nothing but ill'will. sometimes
even bordering upon hate for each 9th
ers dead; to day, thank God, they are,
arm in arm, aud side by side, heart beat
ing in unison with heart, and souls lift.
cd above every base feeling. strewing the
fra grant. .brcathcd flowers alike above the
cold ashes Of the sleeping union and fed.
cral soldier. How happy ought We all
to be at this manifestation Of detern-
nstien to forget the past, and in the fu-
ture live IS becomes the brothers Of our
great republic.
r. Hon. +. NJ. Gunter, NJ. C., has ap.