Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-12-07
A Cause for Thanksgiving.

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no concern to him.
A Cause for Thanksgiving.
The New York Tribune, "founded
by Horace Greeley" from the time its
dead founder was candidate for the
Presidency in opposition to General
Grant, has been one Of the Presidents
bitterest enemies. II has magnified bis
faults, and viewed his virtues through
the big end of the opera glass. Moth.
ing but an overwhelming conviction
that he is the man for the times, could
have drawn out the following expires
sions Of praise that appeared in the Tri-
bune of Wednesday:
"We have not loved President Grant;
have not been blind to his faults, nor
viewed his virtues through magnify
ing glass. But it is blessing for
which every man in the Nation
may well give thanks tomorrow, that
we have in the White House nc
Bucbanan-no weak and hesitating
casuist, to wreck Nations peace with
his empty quitbles. President Grant
is q strong, resQlute man, who means
to have peace in ihis country, and strict
enforcement of law, so long as his term
of Office lasts. Rebellion will not be lei
sione until 1t is too strong TO be crushed.
TfeasOnable talk will not ripen into
revolutionary deeds without finding all
prepared, close at hand, and not only
willing in spirit but strong In flesh, the
Executive power of the United States
to stamp out the first spark of resis
tance to the constituted authorities
For so much let US be thankful. Presi
dent Grant may commit errors. 1t il
possible that, even in this emergency,
in which he has thus far borne himself
so well, he may use his vast power
without just cause. If he does We shall
not be slow to censure. But even then
we shall rejoice that the Nation was
not left, by feeble or treacherous Ex.
ecutive, to plunge into the bOttomless
pit of civil strife over disputed elec'
tIon. Mexican anarchy is the worst
thing possible. In any step not war.
rented by the sober sense ofthe Nation,
even at this time, the President would
soon meet restraint. But civil wal
about a disputed Presidency, into
which, if the Executive were weak,
the mad passions of men might now
preciptiate the country, would be On
evil without remedy, q hopeless, sense.
less, lswless struggle, destroying the
very foundations of self-government
at is peculiarly fortunate now that
President Grant and the Republican
candidate do not represent the same
element. Their relations have not
been such as to warrant q fear that the
President would stain his own name
in order to make that candidate his
successor. Indeed, but few days ago,
the Democratic organs were bOasting
that "Grdnt would not let Hayes be
counted in." Now the same organs
rave at him because he takes care that
the properly constituted authorities
shall not be coerced, interrupted, or re-
sisted in the discharge of their duties.
He has done, thus far, just what the
Constitution requires. 1t is not bis
duty to ask whether injustice is done
by the decision of proper tribunal.
Fl is part is to see that no resort.to force OF
unlawful violence shall be permitted
that every lawful decision shall be re
spected until reversed by lawful means.
In such rigid enforcement of law is
our safety. No matter what decision
may be made in louisiana, one party
or the other will believe it is unjust.
If the first step toward resort to force as
remedy for Il decision deemed unjust
is not swiftly and sternly arrested, an;
archy comes instantly. Men have q
ria sht to criticise, to argue, and to use
all la Nful means to reverse q decision
they deem wrong. But any man who
appeals from the decision OF a lawful
tribunal, be it just or unjust, to the re.
volver or rifle, ought to have his in.
| cipient rebellion stamped out by ali the
power of the Nation.
Hence those who indulge serious
without cause. There can be no begin
ing of resort to force, no matter where
or on what pretext, without such re.
belliOn against constituted authority as
will compel the United States to sup
press it. 1t has not been one of the
Presidents faults that he has been
slow to perform that duty. Ifthe rifle
clubs of South Carolina, or the White
Lesguers of Louisiana attempt to settle
any question by force, we hope and be
lieve that their attempt will he not
only suppressed, but sternly punished.
Moreover, the turbulent elements at
the South have pretty clear idea OF
the President with whom they now
have to deal, and we do not believe
that any disturbance will result. The
blatant persons at the North who talk
Of resistance and blood, inasmuch as
they have been too careful of their pre-
ciOus lives when there was fighting to
be done, and do not quite understand
from experience what it means to rebel
against law, might cause some out
break, but for the fact that they are too
far away. Long before they could
Ireach Washington, or either of the
Southern States, their movements
would be known and met. Those of
them who have any sense know the
fact. 1t would not be possible to move
hundred armed men from any North.
lern city, even no further than to Wash
IingtOn, without instant discovery and
warning. AT the call of the President
any desired force Of militia, equipped
by State authority, could be gathered
at any point within few hours. The
more thoroughly these things are un.
derstood, the more certain it is that we
shall have no disturbance and shall not
relapse into anarchy. We have mill
lions of veterans who are ready to sus-
tain the Government. We have q
President who is not lacking in cour-
age or decision. Therefore. all Oues.