New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-05
XVII.
LARGE VITALITY AMID CoRPUpTloNs.

But knowing all this ana with the impression Of IL fun
on our thoughts may eXut in the real, steady, and
prOphcsyng growth OF better spirit toward dominance
in the land scout the thought that we, peOplcar
worse than atiers John Adams at the head Of the
War Department in l77G wrote bitter laments OF tho
corruption which existed in thas infant OF the
Republic, and Of the spirit OF venay rapacous and in
suitable, which then the most alarming enemy OF
America lie declared himself ashamed OF the age he
lived in. In JeersOns day all FcdcraliSs expected tho
universal dominion OF French in1delity In Jaclsons
day all Whgs thought the country gone TO ruin already,
as il Mr. Bdde had had the entire public hope locked up
the vaults of his terminated bank In Folks day the
cycitencns OF the Mexican War gave life and gcrmDa
ton TO all seeds Of rascsl,ty There has never been
time-not here alone, in any c0untry-when the fierce
light Of incessant inquiry blazing on men in public lilo
would not have brought ont such forces OF evil rs va
have SEEM or when the condemnation which followed
she discovery would have been sharper Aud IL is among
my deepest convictions that with all which has hap
peued 10 dcbase ami debauch it, tie nation AZ large
never before mentally vigorous or morally sound
than II is to-day.
Genomcn the demonstration is around This city.
if any place on the continent should have been the
where reckless wickedness should have had sure pre-
valence and reforming virtue the least chance o. sue
cess Starting In 1870 with white population OF less
than 30,O0O-growng steadily for 40 years till that
population has multiplied sixfold-tdkRs into itself
from that time sach muittues of e grants Iom all
parts of the earth that the dictionaries the languages
spoken in its streets would make lbrary-au forms Of
luxury coming with wealth, and all means and facilities
for every yice-ihe primary elections being always the
scedbcd OF which springs its choice OF rulers with
the influence which il sends to the public comcilS-s
citizens absorbed IN their pursuits that oiicDtlmes,
for years together large numbers of them have LETT us
affairs hands the most OF all unsuitcd to supreme
and delicate trst-t might well' have been expected
that while its docks eohong with commerce which
cncompased the globe while its streets were throns'd
with the eminent aud the gay nom all parts OF the ind
while Its homes had in them uncounted thousands OF
noble men and cultured women, while IT'S stately
squares swept year By year across new space WHO
il founded great institutions OF beneccncc ana shot new
spires upward toward heaven, and turned the rocky
waste to ground famous in the earth It's Gov
ernmentwoud decay aud It's reeklessness of moral IDEAS
IL not as well of political principles, would become afr
parent
Men have prophesed this, from the outset TIL now
The fear began with the first great advance OF tho
wealth. population aud fame OF the city ana there have
not been wanting facts In its history which served TO TO
new II not to justify the fear.
But when OF 1861 broke the land, and shad
owed every home within 1t, this city-whch had voted
by immense mljortes against the existing Administers
on aud which was linked by million ties with 'as