New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-10-20
THE FPI or IATIuIDiTIOy.

we dwell i'm the midst of alarms. The clti-
zen of African descent no longer enjoys n
monopoly of objective terrorism. The KID
ncy-footcd Hoosicr, the fiery Southron and
the lofty-browcd champion of Reform in
the Democratic wards of this metropolis
all have been, or are, or are Ia be, m
undated. That n race so recently endowed
with civil rights should shrink from what Is
known in South Carolina "a "j0int political
"discussion," Is hardly to be wondered mt when
their ancient owners ride into the debate,
every man equipped for argument with ear
bine and pair of derringerS. But 1t Is
matter of surprise that men who have INNER
tied traditions of freedom through the struS-
Giles and victories OF half millennium should
make profession of being easily scared. y
few DAYS ago the organs of Reform were IN
tears because the adhcrcnts of the erudlte and
accomplished Boy in Bluc-jcans had declared
that they were covering before the glances OF
the grim and terrible negro of Indianapolis.
Since then We are advised that the ruling race
of an entire State are to be frightened from their
political duties by a few soldiers on police
duty And now we hear that the Hon. John
Morrissey, after ncglccting his banks and pool
rooms in order to make minority report IN
the interest of Reform and Distribution, has
been confronted by band of asSaSsns let
81 in of of the sidewalk by james O'Bricn,
esq, who appears to be etcrnally yigilant in
the interest of Reform and Redistribution.
Then the hearts of Anti-Tammany melted
within them and they became as grasShOppcrs,
OF to use the language of Mr.. Monisscy,
"thcy were inundated by the frisky Thugs
of Mr.. OBricn, land although the delegates
"would have adopted my report, they did not
"darc to discuss the question through fear"
II is encouraging to know that Mr.. Norris
sey does not profess to have been himself in
undated. We are grateful for the lustr0us
example of one American citizen who, in the
pcrilous performance of high political duty, Is
not shaken from his stable equipOise by "bands
" OF aSsassns let in ltOf the sidewalk" We APP
preciate that square -jawed cOmbativcnesS which
seems 10 he the quality most needed To fill out
the full measure of ideal American manhood.
OF what advantage would be a property qualii-
cation for voters, or where is the gain from
intelligence or virtue, when the millionaire,
the master of arts, and the graduate of Sun
day-schoOls consent to be intimidatcdP Now
if Mr. Moirlsscy is no better by nature than
the rest of u.s. some valuable lessons ought to
be derived from Il contemplation of the methods
and appliances employed in his early cduca-
ton. Perhaps the American youth should not
be endowed with the right of suffrage until he
has SHE'D his castor into the rope-fenced
square which the Fancy, with reckless de
liancc of geometry, persist in calling
the Ring Perhaps first lessons in
the science of government are best impaired
by trainers and seconds and bottle-hoders. 1t
may be that gouging and striking below the
belt are the only crimes which ought to work
acknowledgements At all events when an
ingenious youth has grown skilful in " getting
in" and countermg and fbbing, when he has
planted his bunch Of iives on somebody's ora
tlon-trap when he has endured rib-rOaSters