The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-11-26
Nerve.

It may be that tho Democracy of tho
United States 10 little Glow in making its
intentions known. The policy of Grant
and his Cabinet will perhaps DO measurs-
bly, shaped by the force of public opinion,
and that opinion will itself be necessarily
Influenced by the attitude Of the Demo-
cratic power. In other words, there is o
considerable portion of the public which
will form its opinion entirely Independently
of principle, and altogether in view of in-
terest. The great body of capitalists, cen e
teriDg chiefly in New York and the
Eastern States, will incline to any side and
support any measures that promise the
surest guarantee of peace. Their policy is
peace on any terms, even though the Con
stitutiop should be somewhat damaged
in the compromise, even, indeed, though
the Republic itself should pass into An En-
pire rather than battle with usurpation.
This is natural enough, considered from
merely pecuniary point Of view, for,
civil war once commenced, the National
credit would for the time being materially
depreciate and entail q heavy loss on the
holders both of currency and of bonds. The
ultimate result of q gallant contest for right
would most probably be to put the national
vitality and the national credit on firmer
footing than ever, but capitalists look more
to immediate values than to remote con-
tiDgencies.
Now, how will and how do capitalists look
at affairs under their present aspect9 On the
one hand, they see Grant infiexibly bent on
sustaining the supremacy of his party, right
or wrong, and regardless of means. They
know that he will not for an instant scrupie
to use military force to carry out his plans,
no matter how illegal, and they know that
in this onable plot his Cabinet and
nearly all the Republican Senators aud Re-
publican leaders will be his jealous con
federstes. They see him at the head of the
Army and Navy, in possession OF the public
treasury, of the fortifcations, of the arse
nails, of all the military supplies and equip
ments, of the whole machinery Of govern
ment except the House of Representatives,
and in complete sympatby with the local
governments of nearly all the Northern
States. On the other hand, they see the
Democrats triumphant, indeed, at the
polls, but with their victory disputed
and embarrassed by Returning Boards.
while they are unarmed, unoficered, unor-
ganized for united action, and, worse than
all, apparently hesitatiDg in theiI counsels.
We are satisfied from reports daily
reaching us that many Northern capitalists,
including some Republicans, would prefer
to see Tilden inaugurated if it could be
done peaceably. But it is natural for them
to argue thus: If it is attempted to inaugu
rate Tilden in spite of the Returning
Boards, Grant will certainly fight; if he is
rejected in pursuance ofth verdict of those
Boards, the Democrats will probably snb-
NIT. We would prefer Tilden, aud he is
justly entitled to the place, but he cannot
possibly get it without war, whereas his
being cheated out of it will cause nothing
worse than grumbling. Therefore, We
must throw our Influence for Grants policy.
In game like that being played now,
it is important to conciliate and control
every element of public opinion, especially
one 30 powerful and Influential as that ol
the leading capitalists. 1t will be bad
management to let them openly espouse the
Grant cause, through q mistaken idea Of
Democratic nerve. II the Democratic
party means to install Mr.. TildeD in any
event, and even though force should be
necessary, it might be much the best policy
to say go at once. Nothing can be lost by
it, while it might direct that tide of indif
fert MT yet valuable strength which alWsyl
| in faSnr OF he heat chRnca