Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-18
KQnOrS of War.

Col. Dom Piatt says that at late caucus OF
the radical u. S. Senators the rather startling
discovery was made that there was no law that
required the Senate to select oue Of Its own
mcmbers to preside over lis deliberations 10
case Of the death, resignation, or disability OF
the Vice President. On the contrary, us the
Vice President, the constitutional presiding Of.
Gcer, is not senator, end the law that author
ICES the election of clerk and other officers
Of that body being ample for the emergency,
the reason favors the election OF one not q
member Of the body to preside over It's delib-
erations TO this view OF the situation not a
dissenting yoic, was heard, anJ il was deter
mined that 10 case OF any popular disturbance
calling for sharp, prompt actioG, that Grant
should be elected to the vacancy, which would
make him President Of the United States until
his successor was duly inaugurated.
This is 4 dcep.lald scheme by desperate
men, bold cough to attempt its execution. 1t
meaps reyou:iou, or rather that coup d etat
necessary to c'o,c up and perfect the revou,
.ion that has been ~ progress the last eight
years If returning boards, made OF creatures
dcpeuicut upon the Administration at Wash
ingtoa, are to determine the selection OF a
legislatures and the governors are to be found
only at the national capital, aud are held in
working order BY bayonets. selI-government
has ceased To eyist, and the republic is mem
cry OF the past.
10 those who acknowledge the wrong and yet
preach submission we can only say that We are
giving strength to usurpation aGd boWlng our
heads to what year after year will grow more
and more ntoleraEle and more difficult 10 re-
move. 4 submission to wrong Is premium
on vice. The man who compounds a felony
becomes the slave of the fslon. All these con-
spiratcrs ask is that they may have four years
more of power with its title 10 outrage. that
IN four wears will become familiar and pre-
cedent for further outrage 1t is not the wrong
that worries Gcn. 1t is the effect that wrong
.nsy have upon the people. LII the people tame
y submit, God help them in the hereafter. We
arc in the hands of the vilest creatures ever
permitted to curse people. Ruined IN char
ac,er though rich in spoils; convlcts 10 public
estiaatioc set holding TO power With 40 au.
dacity that is without parallel, they threaten
the people they seek to oppress and we have
timid property holders begging us to submit.
There arc some things more pre- clous to Us
than property, fer they make property valua.
BILE. These are more dear to Us than the Con-
stitutioo, that was made solely tor their pFotec
ton. These are our manhood and the rights
that give that manhood dignity and ssf:respect.
How pisiful aud mean, then, is this cry OF sub
mission. What are moueyed possessions, lands
and bonds, compared to the noble heritage lett
us by the fathers, that enabled the humb'est
among Us to say proudly, u am an American
citizen; there is none to moless, nonc TO make
lne afraid. > :,
God Knows wo are opposed to violence. We
saw tho desolation that darkened the house,
holds ip the late war, and woe be to the wicked
men who again force this upon US. But they
give US co choice. We must either bend cur
necks to their iron heels or fight. we Know
the American pcople--wo know, that, however
long suffering aud patient under fraud, they
will not submit TO the iusolcnce OF violence.
Let us be warned in time. Let us arm l1r
the coallict, for it Is upon us; the Crisis Is oil
to-day. Let the people say that before they
will couscnt to have this temple Of freedom
polluted with vile demagogucs and dishonest
money changers, like the blind Sampson, they
will put their arms about the pillars anu bury
all in one common ruin.