New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-03
AN dMERIC4N CRISIS.

AN AMFRiCAN CRISIS.
A stranger visiting the National Capitol this
week, and ignorant of the recent poiticai
history of the United States, would never sus-
pect that the country has narrowly escaped
one great danger and is even now IN the jaws
of another. Three weeks ago political party
which comprises nearly half the voting popu-
lation was threatening to march upon wash
ineton in OyeIpowering mass and take the
control of the Government out OF the hands
of the President and Congress. Ihree weeks
AGO the cry of "A far count or
"a free fight" was heard among tne
ignorant, excitable, and irresponsible Demo
Gratis of the large cities, ana qule'
people were beginning to trcmDe Tor the pun
lie peace, while the President judged II pru-
dent TO remove the guns from some OF the
Federal armOres to more secure storeh"uses.
If we were not upon the verge OF an lnsurrec-
tion. we were at all events threatened WIN
tumults whose consequences no one "ou'u
venture to predict. Cool observers iookeu
upon the situation with uneasiness, and many
of our citizens who ought to have understoou
the American character were unable I'D see
way out of our difficulties without serious dis-
order. ClamOrs and menaces, however, nave
subsidized as suddenly as they had arSeh' ana
in the calm of to-day we almost forget the
uproar of last nights storm.
The danger to the public peace is succeeded
by q danger to our political institutions-per-
haps we should say to our political liberties.
In avoiding the Scylla of mob violence we are
rushing upon the Charybdis of a constitutional
crisis. We have committed the country to an
/ e,,.hn HiCtn
of the checks and balances OF our organic law
that we can hardly hope to end 1t save by
virtual revolution. We find ourselves face
TO face with the most important question
that can arse under republican form
of gOyCrnmcnt,-the question whether the
votes of the people for the highest
office known to the Constitution shall DE
counted according to law and whether the
transfer of power from one administration "
its legitimate successor shall take place IN the
regular and time honored way. On the answer
TO this question depend not merely the for
tunes of individual politicians but the Tor
tunes-perhaps the existence-of great po-
litical partv, the whole direction of the ma
tional policy, perhaps the stability OF the Re-
Dublic itself. Yet we meet the question by an
innovation in our political methods much more
daring than dynastic change would be III
monarchical country-an innovation especially
to be dreaded because 10 one can even guess
at the serious consequences likely TO fnw
from it.
In this second danger the people present
marvellous picture of composure The process
of making a President under such unparalleled
circumstances might justify great deal oi
excitement, but it goes on with the dccornm
of church meeting. Congress meets daily
with more than the ordinary quiet, ana attends
IN the opeuing of certificates and reading of
votes as it might attend to the introduction 0i
an appropriation BILL The hipartite Com
mission, established in the room OF the
Supreme Court, tries the question OF
the Presidency as the Bench might try pat
ent case. The public, represented by few
hundred gentlemen and ladies, sits silent in
the galleries and watches the routine of the
counting as it might watch an ordinary de-
bate. The two great party organizations
appear by distinguished members OF the bar,
and fight out their mortal fight with all the
forms of law and ceremonies of the courts,
and with great deal more than the politeness
of mapner and reserve of speech that belong
TO ordinary forensic debate.
1t is a consolation that in the unfortunate
circumstances of the time the people of the
United States are found bearing themselves
with such dignity and self-restIaint A country
can resist the internal shock of many CON
stItutional disturbance, when crisis that
might be expected to rouse all the pas
sons of the populace and fill the land with
agitation only subdues the temper of ITS citi-
zens and lulls them to universal peace. With
such people the instinct Of orderly .selfgOv
eminent is IL second nature.
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