Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-11-24
What is to be the End ?


The late presidential election and its sur
roundines just previous and subsequent there
10. are sufficient to appal the stoulest hearts
and to cause well-founGed fears for the safety
OF a republic that in the past commanded ih'
respect of the nations Of the earbi and olleree
u Bone and protection 10 the oppressed o.
every cline.
Just previous TO the election, where The least
disturbance or an excuse could be made, troops
of the United States were sent, under the pre-
tense they we're to afford protection and guar
nn,ee fair expression Of the public voice
through the ballot-t Ok. Where no disturb
troops were sent, for what purpose is best
known to those who issued the orders. Ger
tainly no excuse has been given for sending
troops into Virginia; none were asked for by
the authorities, ana no disturbance existed IN
that State. Such use Of the army in such
manner and in such time and place can be
only looked upon MS n direct perpeirntion OF
a wrong for which there should exist remedy
in the courts or in Congress.
IN South Carolina and Louisiana, where II
was asserted disturbances existed, the troops
were certainly sufficient to protect, and doubt
less did protect citizens in the exercise Of the
elective franchise; at least SO far, nothing has
been said about ANY disturbance on the day Of
election. The troops certainly have not had
any conflict with The citizens in either Of these
States 10 the contrary The election appears to
have passed off quietly The sttangest pari
Of all these proceedings is the fact that the
Republican party, with full control of the
evil government in the these States, with
troops TO enforce its commands, should cry
out even before the votes were counted, that
the election had been carried by fraud and in
timidalion With all power in their own
hands, might we not well ask the Republican
rulers in these States, how was it possible for
the helpless aud unprotected Democrats 10
practice fraud and intimidation Such pre-
texts and excuses lack even the sembnnee and
color Of truth. The great and grand purpose
Of sending troops TO these Southern States had
proved a stupendous failure in its primary oh
jects. Doubtless Republican rulers and lead
ers had hoped by their gross aud fragrant vio-
!aton of law in thus sending troops to exas-
pcraie a proud and brave people, and thus in
duce them TO resent such AN indignity TO a free
sovereign State. In this they were mistaken.
For the sake Of their country's good they bore
this indignity with patient meekncss, relying
upon the Constitution and laws of the land 10
redress, in due course Of time, wrongs SO gar-
ing and subversiye of The Government.
Scarcely is The election over when Sheridan
is ordered TO New Orleans under the rletense
and guise of protecting the returning board,
&C. A man condemned by Republican Con
gress, condemned by the press throughout the
length and breadth of the land for his outrag-
eous conduct in that same city for openly de-
flying all law, for daring TO enter the legisla-
tive balls of State and unsealng members Of
the legislature by military power he is sent
back TO insure strict justice and satisfy tho
people of Ee United States. Such things may
satisfy blind partisan adherents, but they are
insults and indgnitics which can only be born,
looking and hoping as the people do, soon to
be remedied by Congress or our legal tribu-
nails. There is moi an honest man in the
United States to-day but is convinced that
Samuel J. Tilden has been fairly elected Presi-
dent. Grant may issue his plausible orders,
sugar coated with The seinbIance of integrity
aud honesty, but the sober, solid masses Of
this country will never credit them, especially
hair ie tla bn 1c ~
such a man us Sherdas.
Doubtless Mr.. Grant and his partisans would /
Like to have another war, TO feast TO fatten, |
grow rich and by lis results retain position
and power; but, alas for them, their attempts |
and designs have ali proved aborlve---ihe |
is upon the wall, and the glory |
of their house has departed.
II is to be hoped that Congress win no
longer burthen this nation with an army and |
navy TO Cypress and slihe the voice of the peo-
pie. If nothing better can be done, let the APP
propriations be stopped, and let the army
10 a large extent be disbandcd II is better |
hat few of the good should suffer even wrong |
han endanger the life Of the Government
The money thus now expended can be well /
applied 10 the public debt, AID there is no ap- |
'tehcnson Of danger from any foroign gov
'rnrhent. Instead of gratifying President
Grant and his partisans with pretended civil |
let the cry so out through The
and, Disband the army aud navy; get rid Of
'uch men ms Sheridan, and z" Let us have
'eaee." Thus, and thus only, can We restore
confidence in our institutions and bring again
10 our people.