, 1876-06-24

N1G
on the whole, insure the confidence Of the
world. We hear little about this side of
American life, because it is by its very
nature silent and unobtrusiye, 1t is seen
in It's products but it is not its nature to
be forward and demonstratiye The far
mers who are gradually bringing the vast
Western States under cultivation, the
traders who are surely establishing a
worldwide system of exchange Of which
America shall be, to a great extent, the
centre have no occasion to force them
selves or their affairs upon public atteu-
ton. All that has hitherto been abso-
lutely necessary for them has been that
the ordinary administration OF the country
should be conducted with tolerable yigour
and regularity. What was essential for
them was that their letters, their exports
and imports, their monetary exchanges,
should be regularly and securely transmit
ted. Nothing else materially affected
them, and, except on the occurrence of a
great question like that Of Slavery, the
whole political region lay beyond their
field Of view.
The meeting of the Independent Confer
enco In New York, reported by our Cor
respondent, is at once a candid admission
that this excusabIe indifference has pro-
duced lamentabie results and an indication
that 1t will cease to be prevalent. The
meeting was not limited to one Party,
but included many of the most distiu-
gulshed men in the country Of all shades
OF politics. The Republicans seem, in
deed, TO have been dominant, but it was
not in their Republican character. Tie
meeting seemed to appeal rather to that
which Mr.. CHARLES FRANCS ADAMS,
OF Massachusetts. described as the
- floating vote" OF the country, that
was bound to no political organize
ton, but which ebbcd and flowed accord
ing as a need for its influence was felt.
Alen belonging to this class are beginning
to perceive that il admiuistratiye work be
lett as o prey to the INSCRIPTIONS the
whole tone of American life must suffer
and a reflex injury must be inflicted on
Its ordinary energies. It is a grave mat
ter, III the first place, as is beginning to
be telt IN many directions, that admins
tratlve weakness inevitably reacts upon
legislation, and that the great issues of
public policy are liable to be decided by
the corrupt influences of politicians who
have no other than a selfish interest. The
United States have hitherto been to q
great extent, with the single grand excep-
ton OF their Civil War, in the position Of
the fortunate country which has no his
tory. 1t has been not so much q collec-
tlon Of united States, as Of united indI-
yiduals, and it has been enough If they
were left to their individual energies.
That Civil War, indeed, showed the
stern and honorable stuff of which tbs
nation is composed and was carried 20
a successful issue by the highest qualities
OF administrative honesty and vigour. But
the legislation Of Congress is now begin
ming IN a far greater degree than before
to touch the course of trade and the So
cial development of the States. Questions
ale arising, such as that of the relations
between The Chinese and the White popu-
@lation, which will tax to the utmost the wis
dom and he integrity of the Legislature,
and it is Becoming obvious that it is in
the highest degree perilous to leave such
questions in the hands of a body OF men
who are closely identified with practices
of questionable integrity, and, at all
events, of selfish and Party electioneeriDg.
That influence, indeed, can hardly be ex-
cluded from any country with free insti-
futions and is certainly not absent from