National Republican., 1876-12-25
The Nervous. newspaper Reader.

The only safe rule for the newspaper reader of
weak nerves In these exciting days Is not to be-
lieve any especially startling story that he sees
in his paper. Or he has perhaps learned by this
time that 1t is quite sure to be contradicted the
next morning. That nervous gentleman lately
lost his appetite at the breakfast table upon
reading that the Democratic committee had In
yited all the Southern rife clubs to assemble In
Washington to take part in the festivities upon
Mr.. Tilden's Inauguration. But the next day he
was cheered to read that 1t was all a wicked Re-
publican lie. Then he saw with horror that Mr..
Ferry had regretfuIly confessed TO friend that
he should certainly exercise judicial powers, and
himself determine what certificates to open, 'be-
cause his party demanded it"-that awful Re-
publican party, which Is strong in the sluus, and
always first in lawlessness, massacres, intimida-
tion, riots, violence and insurrection. But day
relieved the unhappy gentleman, for Mr.. Ferry
distinctly stated that he had said nothing Of the
kind. 81 -.- r..-.. '-, - -f
There was DO time for cheerfulness, however,
because the newspaper Of the next day asserted,
to the nervous Head OF the Family, that Mr.. Jus.
tice Miller, Of the Supreme Court. had prognosti-
Gated ali kinds Of dire disaster to somebody some-
where in the West. Peace was gone for that day,
but q few mornings later brought balm in the
total denial by Mr.. Justice Miller Of all such OBJ
institutions, is indefatigaSis and immediately the the
blood curdled at learning that "the butcher
Sheridan had been ordered TO New York, with q
81 Ss e snS
Of the most remorseless character, This was
constant torture to the wearied reader Of
delicate nerves, until General Sherman au-
thorized the statement that there was
no truth in the report But the alls-
cation that General Grant intends to inaugurate
Mr.; Hayes, right or wrong, and turn out the House
Of Representatives at the point of the bayonet, is
boldly made in the Democratic papers, to which,
as is well known, General Grant always conndes
his despotic and tyranniesl intentions, and the
nervous gentleman will wait in vain to hear from
the President denial, because the President
knows that lie runs league while truth is pull
ing on his boots. A friend once asked Of him
authority to correct o lie about him. But General
Grant replied, with smile, that twenty other
lies would instantly replace It. ..
The situation is embarrassing, undoubtedly,
and In great country like this there are always
people ready for any kind of mischief But the
nervous reader must remember that newspapers
thrive by news, and that in mad party times the
general appearance as the truth. The people of
this country are loyal to the law, even If II be
wise. Mr. Ben Hill, of Georgia, in q recent inter-
view with Herald correspondent, is reported to
have said:
Zone thing is certain-the Southern people want
peact; they know well what war means: they know
well that civil war is remedy for wrong, but
aggrayation of all WRONGS"
That is the truth of all experience. Mr.. Hill
echoed the impressive words of profound student
Of English history:
Is the art Of avoiding it. and of making progress a
once continuous and calm. Revolutions are not
ian M afi s EsS s a6ey
long train of bitterness behind. The energy and
are psio for the fassitude the depression, the pot
ical inndelity, which ensuc. - ......
There is nothing in ourpresent situation which
is not capable OF ready adjustment by Congress,
and during the adjournment members will dis
cover that the people intend that all questions
shall be harmOniously settled.