The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-19
Elankinq.


his pleadings, makes up his issue, and
when the regular day comes, tries it to the
best of his abilities whether they be great
or small. He never dreams of beating his
adversary save on the field of tournament
duly selected and prepared long before
| hand. Your military man works on totally
different plan. He tries by every device to
strike Unexpectedly and delights in no.
thing 60 much as taking his enemies by
surprise. If his adversary has chosen
position, so far from fighting just there, he
will flank it if he can.
Gen. U. S. Grant now finds the Demo-
cratic party entrenched on the idea of the
4th of March. On that day the Demo-
Gratis fully intend to put Mr.. Tilden into
the Presidency, knowing him to be fairly
elected thereto. Resting content on that
conviction and determination, they do not
expect an emergency to arise at any pre-
vious date. While thus unprepared, and,
indeed, resting with kind Of defiant con-
fidence on their strength when the time
comes, they will present a tempting chance
to an inscriptions foe. Who shall say
that Grant will calmly wait until the very
day selected for action by his opponentsf
Who shall say that he will not forestall
their strategy and precipitate a conflict
when they are not prepared for it
In answer to this we are asked How
1t is not for US to say how. Giant knows
his own counsels and plans. 1t is univer
sally conceded that his intention is clearly
and definitely formed not to permit Mr..
Tilden to enter upon the Presidency on any
contingency. The Radical element of the
Repu blican party sustains him in this in
tention and says openly that the Demo
cratic party shall not take charge of the Gov
eminent. But the plan of action by which
this end is to be reached is unknown. 1t is
not even known whether Grant intends to |
have Hayes returned elected, or whether he
will so shape events as to retain the power
in his own hands. In either event his
course will be equally n~violation of law
and right, and will necessarily bring on a
conflict of armed force.
1t being, then, assumed as a fixed pre-
mise in the deliberations of Grants council
that an armed collision must occnr we may
almost as certainly assume that he will not
wat for it until the occasion chosen by his
opponents arrives. If he can gain an advan
tage by striking before then, he will strike.
This does not imply that his troops will be
ordered to fire on any body. 1t would be
much wiser for him to 80 act, under cover |
of legal pretenses, as to force the Democ-
racy into the alternative of losing come
serious advantage or committing an act of
war.
What that advantage may be we are not
able to conjecture. 1t is for military man
to invent his own flank movements, and we
are prepared to hear at any moment Ct
events which will develop Granite plans of
aggression. 1t is clear that the forcible
Inauguration of Packard as Governor of
this State, which will take place on the first
Monday of January, will give the Republi-
cans an immense start in the struggle for
Hayes. If Packard, by virtue of certificate
from the Returning Board, is recognized as
Governor, and if as such he peaceably takes
the seat and fills the Office, will it lot be,
rather late to take issue with the same
Returning Board on the 4th of March,
Not one man in fifty in this community,
so far as our observation has gone, doubts
that the Board is fully instructed and fully
determined to return Packard elected,
right or wrong. The question will then
arise Shall this scandalous injustice be
permitted
And this is perhaps the stumbling block
that will be found in the Democratic path
If Packard is permitted to take the seat,
two important points in the game are Sc
cured to Grant: lst, the whole organization
aud executive power of the State will be Oh
his aide if conflict should subsequently
occar, and 21d, the advantage, above re-
ferred TO, that the nation, having in that
respect acquiesced in the action of the
Retaining Board and grown accustomed to
it, will the more readily give it some con-
sideration in the matter of the Presidential
election.