New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-22
POPULAR CONFIDENCE.

All reports concur in the information that
whatever may he the peril Of the political
crisis, now it is to be hoped daily growing
less, the capital is not without its old accls-
toned soacos. However oppressed by public
cares, the Senator or Representative must dine.
Whatever problems may distract the law
makers, their wives and daughters must dance.
We are in 10 danger of barballsm While we
thus cultivate the amenities OF civilization. We
are in no danger of anarchy while we remem-
Der that balls and banquets are among the
blessings OF law and order. To invite and to
be invited, to tread the German measures, to
dress, to cOquettc, to tiirt, to fall In love, to
propose, to be accepted or rejected, to talk OF
joys just passed and of joys to come, to call,
to be called upon, and to watch anxlonsly for
the coming of the Grand Duke Alexis-these
are among the alterations tempeIing the aus
terities of the political situation. The flowers
still bloom, no matter how hot may be the
volcanic fire below.
Turning from the capital, and considering
more seriously this whole great Republic, We
find men and women still going on in the old
ways. and in spite of the commercial depres-
sion we may safely say that the sun III all his
rounds does not look down upOn happier
land. In two OF three of the smaller States,
it is true there is disorder and consequent
apprehension, but these are the exceptions
Everywhere else there Is no hinderance 10
1.-THE pursuit of happiness" All the nstitu-
items of learning are full of students lestei-
day in all the churches the wOIshpers gath
cred without let or intolerance for prayer, for
praise, and for the consideration OF their
spiritual condition. To-day the tribunals 81
Justice, firmly standing upon the rocky foun-
datIons of the law, will dispense justice
to the sutton and punishment to the
criminal This evening there will be
balls and parties, while in many halls in
telligent audiences will gather TO listen TO the
lecturers. The theaters will fling wide open
their portals to invite the entrance of those
who delight in the mimic scene. Upon the
walls of the galleries will glow the triumphs
of art. In all tho schoOl-hOuses will Gather
millions of children TO be instructed il every
useful branch of knowledge Under s',elterng
roofs millions of families will make q Summer
of love and affection, despite the dimness and
the drearincss of the Winter outside. There will
be marriages, there will be births; and if there
shall he also deaths, bereavement will be soft
ened by TIE consultations of religion. Surely
this ia not very unhappy land.
Men who doubt the pcrpetuity Of the Repub-
lie should remember all these Things. The Re-
public is the people The Government lis the
poDuaion. All our institutions are thoroughly
representative. We have in Washington the
President, the Senate, the House, the Depart
ments-all the machines or the machinery of
administration, of legislation, and of execution
but the vital force which moves all this merely
centers there aud comes from every city and
every hamlet of the land These gentlemen
who manage affairs, digniiied rs they are,
tituIarly Honorable or Excellent, are after all
public servants, in daily need of public APP
prevail, in daily danger of public dismissal,
and in point Of fs,t liable constantly to the
severest criticism if not to ignominy aud dis
grace. Perhaps il is not strange that we are
so constantly cOnfounding them with the
power in which they live and move and
have their bong. Only now and then
do the best thought and conscience
Of State mako themselves felt IA
they did in Massachusetts last week, rs they
did through the whole country daring the
Rebellion: but nevertheless they always exist