The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-28
The Tyranay---One Step More

j ne 1YIdll.lS---lJIlG SLClI MIL
There was no mstaking the purpose and
plan Of the tyrant at Washington the very
day he ordered troops to Tallahassee.
Steadily has his plot been developed, until
now we suppose no man il the land misun-
deTstands it.
See the uSurpations rs reported by tele-
graph from Columbia. Judge BoND takes
charge Of the members Of the Returning
Board now in contempt OF the Supreme
Court OF the State. They may be consider
posed by the Supreme State Court. Judge
BoNn postponed their case until ednes-
day. and by that time the State Legislature
viii! have been organized under the direc-
ton OF Governor CHAMBERLAIS, actth the
military undcr las control.
The thrilling kilograms from the same
Columbia, so long the scene OF political agi-
tasion-once the theatre OF wars most dread
ful destruction and distreSs-tell us, fur
ther, that the usurping President has Or
dared the troops to be placed under control
OF Governor CHAMBERLAlS, and that he has
plainly declared his intention TO sustain that
officer in every step he chooses to take.
This is higl-handcd indeed. President
GRANT las no authority for his acts. BE
preteGds to act from none. Indeed, the
usurpation is so far outside OF Constitution
and law that it would be i mere piece OF
shallow hypocrisy to assume that there WAS
any color OF authority for il in Constitution
or law. GRANT is not the man to attempt Il
rusc, the very attempting OF which would
show that he doubted and hcsilated in his
conduct. He knows that the moment the
usurper hcsitates and trcmbIes he is gone.
Real usurpers are not made OF inSi!bStantlai
material. GRANT would rather stand upon
bis own will and his own energy and bold
ness in using the means at his hands to
do as lie chooses, Constitution or no Con-
stitution, people or no people.
And now what will the people do about
it: Civil remedies are slow. The llsurpa-
ton is so impetuouS that ii changes scenes
and situations as rapidly rs docs the kalei-
doscopc its views.
The Legislature meets to-day. CHAMBER
LAIN, with the army to sustain HIM, Will ut
tempt so to arrange matters rs that major
ity OF Republicans shall enter the hall and
organize and declare him Governor. But
let us see as to this, for we are prompted
III the embarrassment OF the situation to
speculate on chances
The Republicans have but sixty members
OF the lower house OF the South Carolina
Legislature. 1t takes siNty-three to make 4
quorum. II, therefore, the Democratic
members absent themselves the Republi-
cans cannot get a quorum, and so cannot
count in CHAMBERLAIN.
On the other hand, the Democrats have
1--WE think) tifty-siX members certified as
elected, and by the Radical CanYassing
Board. These, with seven Republican
members, would constitute 4 quorum, and
could at once proceed 10 organize, count the
vote for Governor, SC.
The Supreme Court OF the United States will
not have time to take action until after the
electoral votes o; the States are all cast,
which is required to be done tomorrow
week, rs the appeal cannot be taken until
Judge BOND acts. 1nasmuch as he has post
poned the case to "Wednesday it is not pro-
babe that he will decide upon it till Thurs
day or Friday. 1t is not at AL likely that
the opinion OF the United States Supreme
Court can be had until the electoral votes
are sealed and sent to the president Of the
Senate.
The policy OF the uSurpcr always is TO
strike his blows quickly and decisively,
while he throws al possible delay upon civil
proceedings. Thus his measures move
steadily and resistlesSly forward, while pub
lie surprise Is substituted by familiarity
with hectori2g authority, and public indig-
nation passes gradually into public indiler-
cncc.
The interesting question OF the hour is
whether GRANT is usurping for. himself or
HAYES. We shall know in a short time.
But still more important question is,
Are the people ready and will the country
submit 10 the usurpation which has so rap
idly developed itself? And we Shall soon
enough know this also. Some days the
signs look cheering, and we begin TO think
that the usurpatlon will receive decisive
check. Again, we see the Radical press
rampant and thorough in its defence Of
every act OF usurpation and ferocity--eycry
outrage upon the Constitution--and we see
those understandable evidences Of public
apathy at the North that fill us with the fear
that usurpation is to have all its own way.
We shall see.