The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-21
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A Serious Matter.

A Serious Matter.
1t is gratifying to all true patriots to know
that tho leading papers OF the country,
without distinction as to their preferences
for the next President. unite in condemning
the proclamation OF war against the South
ISSUED few days ago by General GRANT. 1t
is a sign that the prejudice OF the northern
people against what they are still pleased to
denominatc "rebcls," has not so blinded
them as to render them totally incapable OF
seeing the pcrilous position in which the
country now is. The danger to their own
liberties must be apprchended by them be-
fore they can feel any active sympathy with
the people Of the South in their condition
OF vassaIaSe to the authorities at Washing
ton. The North has never been forced to
ratiiy any amendments 10 the Constitution
at the point OF the bayonct, nor to elect
men to Congress to please the people OF
another section OF the country. The North
has never realized that the South has done
these things: because when they were done
the preiudices OF the northern people
were so strong that they deemed it
eminently wise and proper that the
Federal Constitution should be amend
cd BY forcc-or, in other words, should
be violated by way ef amendment. We
OF the South know, however, that whatever
the manner OF their ratification these amend
ments have been judicially recognized as
being parts OF the Constitution. And so it
is not matter Of any Importance to us
whether the North sympathiZe with us or
not in respect OF their compulsory ratitlca-
ton. But the North cannot separate its for
tunes from those Of the South. WILLIAM
IL. SEwARD's dictum that the Union could
not exist partly free and partly slave, has a
foundation in fact. The States OF the South
cannot be subjected to any insults or wrongs
by the President to which some other Presi-
dent may not subject the States OF the North.
Therefore, it is but natural that as the pre-
JUDGES engendcred by war give way. the
northern people should sec in any act OF in
Justice pcrpetratcd upon the southern pco-
pie the forcshadowing OF similar act OF in
Justice which may at any time be Derpe-
trated upon them.
Nevertheless, the northern people arc far
from properly approaching the gravity OF
the issue which General GRANT has forced
upon the country. The comments OF the
northern journals prove this to be tue fact.
They condemn the proclamation, but do not
forecast any serious results from it. The
New York Tribune asks in headline,
s'Aftcr the election> what ?" but it has no
forebodings OF evil. Yet suppose GRANT
should carry four southern States for
HAYES, and elects him by two, or ten, or
twenty majority: what then: 1t is safe to
assume that the southern States would re-
main quiet. They are accustomed to being
dragooned. And it is probably because the
northern papers know that the southern
people would not give the country any
trouble even il GRANT were to elect himself
again ut the point OF the bayonet that those
papers apprehend no trouble even II
HAYES be elected by the army. But is it
certain that the northern States would sub
nit to such an outrage: Would New
York allow HAYES to take advantage OF
such wrong? Would Indiana? Would
Connecticut! Is it reasonable to presume
that the hundreds OF thousands OF Demo-
Gratis in the North who have not learned to
submit to outragcs rs the southern people
do would allow a President elected by
force, fraud. and intimidation, to take his
seat?
But the danger lies not there. 1t would
come before the northern people could have
Il chance to rise in their mi chit against their
opprcssors. 1t would originate in WASH
ington. Is it to be supposed that the Demo-
cratic House OF Representatives would al
low the votes Of States coCrced by the army
into the support OF HAYES TO be counted
against TlLDES? Is it to be supposed, on
the other hand, that NlORToS, CoNKLING,
LOGAN, and their associates in the Senate,
would allow those votes to be thrown
out? Neither supposition is reasonable.
So great a wrong would not be submitted
to by the House willingly. 1t knows that it
has the right to elect President in case no
candidate has received a majority Of the
votes; and it would be very apt to declare
by its vote that no person had received ma
jority. The Senate, on the contrary, would
insist that HAYES had been chosen. But
unless both houses agree, there must be two
Presidents. And il two Presidents the
reader can guess what would follow.
Isn't it, then, serious matter? The cir
cumstances seem to portend dTe calamlties
rs at least possible. The conflicting houses
and Il President accustomed to rule by the
aid of the army, would seem to point out
personal governments military despotism
under GRANT-as the possible outcome OF
his order to General SHERMAN.
Let us hope for the best In this centen-
NAL year there's no other name SO sugscs-
tive or so prophetic of victory as that OF
UNCLE SAM.
WELL AsKED.-The Norfolk ptrgiaiGn
asks: Does Governor HAYES approve the
action Of the President by his Secretary OF