The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-13
The Day that Tries Mems Souls,


The Day that Tries Mems Souls.
Many OF our best and most rejecting
public men are calculating chiefly upon
prominent statesmen Of the Republican
party for a peaceful solution of,the presi-
dental question. We trust their expecta-
tions may be realized. we too hope, with
a very ardent hope, for peaceful solution
OF the presidential question when we
say peaceful we mean TINT sort Of solution
that is in accordance with law, and not to
the damage OF our republican institutions;
but we scarcely know exactly what
we especially rely upon, unless it
be the moral force Of public opin-
ion and the pressure OF the national
interests--the commerce and the bust
ness Of the land. Discord and strife over
elections and violent partisanship are not
congeuial with the pursuits OF highly
civilized and prosperous nation. They are
characteristic OF land in q state Of deca-
dence: a country like Observation-Disclosures
rous-where chieftains have their followers,
and where no man holds power except by
force OF arms. 1t is true that in this coun-
try untold evils have been caused by the adj
mission Of barbarous race to participation in
the Government; butst the existence Of the
adulteration' OF the constituent body is limit
ed to part Of the Union, and the whole
country is not given over to the terrors Of a
mixture of races in the administration OF
the Government. There is therefore pow
erful resistance to Che consequences OF this
partial deprivation of the body polite.
Upon this resistance, growing out Of the
interests Of the community, we mainly rest
our hopes. And these look to the main
tenance Of peace through constitutional
solution OF the trouble that is before us.
We cannot say that we are altogether in
credulous about the triumph Of sense OF
what is due to the Constitution, to the pub
lie dignity, and the general welfare, in the
hearts OF some distinguished leaders on the
Radical side of national politics.; but we
must confess that our faith is not indomita-
BILE. Vhen we look at distinguished sena'
tors whose lives have been devoted to
the study of law and the Constitution,
and who have given attention to, our
system of government men who have rep
utations to protect and prospects to ad.
vance-we cannot well understand how they
can persuade themselves to ignore the time
honored usages Of the Republic and the
plain provisions OF the Constitution, and
refer great national questions to the set
Element OF force--an arbiter that puts
an end to liberty, and whose decisions de-
pend upon the character and Judgment OF
the usurper who wields it. They should
he admonished by education and informa-
ton TO cling to the Constitution and laws,
and to the customs of the fathers Of the Re-
public, as the only safe guides and guardians
for the preservation Of civil liberty and re-
publican institutions.
That there will be some persons in high
positions Influenced by such things we
think so natural that it would be great
surprise if there were none at this day and
under the great advances made in civil
poIity and popular government.
There is disposition, however, to spread
too eagerly reports that particular senators
may be expected to rise above party and
act wisely and patriotically for the protec-
ton OF the nation from ruler imposed
upon them by force. There is ever the
danger of disappearing persons, and
there is a great danger, furtherm ore, OF
bringing notoriety upon man, subiecting
him to painful observation and speculation,
that might alter feelings and purposes to
public disadvantage.
Leave gentlemen to their own conscicn-
tious and intelligent reflections. One SEN
ator especially has been the object of rumor
and observation to degree no doubt painful
to himself. 1t would be better to give every
man the freedom of his own discussions
with himself in the forum OF his own con-
science.
Believing that the national trouble will be
solved peaceably, it would be matter of
inexpressble delight to us if some great
public men would become the agents Of the
salvation OF the republic by rising above
the degrading arena OF party. 1t would
give US new faith in the endurance Of the
republic
AS we suspected, the letter OF Mr.. CHARLES
| O'CoNoR to Mr.. SAMUEL C.. REID, of st.
! Louis, was strictly private one. We could