The New York herald., 1876-11-09
The Agony or = Day.

Inc sudden looming up OF the democracy
in gigantic overshadowing cloud, like the
genius that the Arab fisherman loosed from
the jar he found in his net, startled the mill
ions of republicans throughout the country
in q manner that they had never been
startled before. Like cloud it assumed
hundred threatening shapes MS the eyes OF
the gazers looked out from stronger or
weaker souls. 1t Iose in night, and the
frantic hope that it was but thing OF vapor
which the morning winds would drift away
was whispered from lip to lip. 1t was
shadowy, but in parts took on strong
substance. At times it seemed as though
not part was wanting in solidity and that
presently it would rear itself erect, and, step
ping on the mountain tops, come down upon
the land. 1t seemed to number as many
million particles as those who watched and
hated it and feared il. So the day passed
on. The great shape betimes diminished
and again spread out. At nightfall
there came fierce JOY upon the watchers
on the solid earth, for as the sun
was going down the great shape
seemed breaking up with angry lightning
flashing along its edges 'Shall we awake
to see the sky clear and the hateful monster
gone on the wind. or shall it still loom solid
and immovable?" was the republican cry
last night. Which is it to be2
If the above be fanciful it has elements of
resemblance to the situation over the United
States through yesterday which will at once
1a ba lav ,1cd in he
clouds for day. Such excitement MS agi-
tated the people has not been known since
tho day, sixteen years ago, that the democ-
racy. split into fragments, seemed as
national party TO have drifted into history
forever. The thought that it had re-
taken the seats OF national power sent re-
publicans crazy with bitterness and demo-
Gratis wild with joy Now that the electoral
votes fit uncertain from one candidate to
the other. like ghosts in the pale moonshine,
and when it seems that the great democratic
hope which has been raised may be dashed
to tho ground, the popular mind is moved to
its depths from ocean to ocean. No such
gigantic ghost has ever been raised to scare
one national party no such giant hope,
lowering over the Land Of Promise. has
trembled with the thought that it would be
sent to die in the desert Of disappointment
Electing Presidents BY Popuisr Vote.
We take this occasion to urge once more
upon tho attention. of the people and the
politicians the expediency of a constitu-
tional amendment abolshing the useless
and cumbrous machinery of an Electoral
College, and providing for the election Of
President and Vice President by the direct
vote of the people. We see to-day how
troublesome and possibly dangerous is the
present method. Had the people voted
yesterday in their Congressional districts,
not for board of electors, but directly for
President and Vice President, the certain
result would have been known early this
morning, and we should not be waiting
anxiously for the count of the whole vote Of
several States, in one or two Of which, as in
Louisiana and South Carolina, partisan ne
turning boards will manipulate the vote,
and may, unless they act with conspicuous
and unnccust6med fairness, cause grave sus-
picions in the public mind Of fraud in
q matter so serious that it ought never to be
exposed to the slightest suspicion
There is no reason whatever why the peo-
pie should not vote directly for President,
but there are many reasons in favor of such
a change. Some of the ablest men Of both
parties in the Senate have urged the change,
and we believe an amendment would be
easily passed by both houses this winter, if
the public demands it, and could be ratified
by the State Legislatures at once. Under the
present system close count on the electoral
vote will always create at least a feeling of
uneasiness in the public mind; and besides
this, the vote by Electoral College, or by
States, has, on o number Of occasions, vir-
tually, though of course constitutionally,
and therefore regularly, defeated the popular
will by giving the Presidency to candidate
who did not receive majority Of the pop
ular vote. Neither Mr.. Buchanan nor Mr.
Lincoln on his first election received
majority Of the peoples votes.