National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-03-23
AN ADMIYIsrRArfoY PARTY AND A

called In June viii LEAD TO Clearly .de1ued
boundaries Of political sentiment and
establish new party lines or confirm old
ones. II lies with the Administration 10
determine the future In this respect, and
as IL is decided the country will be re-
assured or depressed for an indefinite
period. II the wise policy which has been
announced as the controlling purpose Of
the President Is carried out In positive and
undertaking terms political revolution IL
imminent, which will overturn all party
platforms and leave politicians aoundcring
In the sea OF contention, while the people
move on with the shield Of Government
In their hands and the cause Of human
freedom in their hearts, to place the prin-
ciples OF the Constitution on an enduring
basis, beyond the power Of partisans to dis
turb or to corrupt 1.-THE President hesitates
ard waivers until the confidence Of the PEG.
pie is shaken In his firmness, and the old
apimosi,ies return to plague the elements Of
reform, they will lose their power over the
public mind, and the efforts Of the Admin
istration will be vain to restore the trust
which has fallen prev to hopes deferred.
There are times when the wisdom Of states.
mapship is in its promptitude, and every.
thing is lost by the uncertainties Of delay.
The distinguishing Characteristic Of man is
weakness, and when overweight with the
excitements Of anxiety the masses Of the
human family are mere children. fuctuat.
ing with the surges Of impulse and vaeil.
lating with the drifts of rumor. At such
times procrastination Is often fatal, and the
good which might be accomplished by .
resolute step is lost by postpone
never TO be regsined. because the opporsu.
nifty has passed away, not to return. There
is not SO much virtue in precaution in
times Of public peril ss there Is in pres.
cieLce. Action, instantaneous as the occa.
sion. impelled by its necessities and pro.
ceedipg from correct motives, even though
mistaken, is better than procedure which
waits for precision in measures. seeking In.
fallible results, until cousummatioa 10 i'm.
possible. Tho world will approve jus,
course and forgive It's failure, at all times,
but appreciation is ever refused tardy eI,
pedients which follow in the wake OF OPP
portunity, directing fruitless efforts.
A week ago the country was ripe for the
fiat of peace, the North to concede and the
South to accept pacifcation. Those who
had opposed the policy Of the Presiden,
had receded, aud those who had rejected
1t had recsnted. aud naught remained bu
to realize its fruitions. To-day there is re
newed resistance on the one hand and dis,
trust on the other. Why is it, Because
the slow progress made convinces the op
ponents Of the policy that 1t is not so deeply
rooted but that 1t can be modified or de
feated-because the hesitancy indicates In
decision and lack Of faith, and thus en-
courages further remonstrance and re
strsint. while Il impresses the recipient
with underlined apprehensions Of inslncerity
in the promise, and provokes them to ex
pressions Of doubt and misgivings strangely
at variance with the previous exhibition,
Of good feeling. Nor will 1t do to say tina
the people should be content If distraction
which have Frustrated their industries TO
years, consume some weeks in their dissipa
ton. The people are not diplomats. The,
feel that the condition Of the country |
known and its cause understood. The,
realize that the most important seasol
of the year is passing without relief
and in the midst Of their misfortunes the
repine at delay; and 1t is folly to expect Q
them wisdom and forbearance under sue
circumstances. On the contrary, all tn
experiences of the past show that grea
popular disturbances require immedia'
composure, and that nothing but increai
ing danger comes Of neglect. Why, Their
Is not another nation on earth, as we wrot
during the Presidential contest, who's
people would have restrained themselve
from violence under such provocations {
disorder. Subjects Of crowns, unused I
self government, and therefore unaccui
toned TO self.control. afflicted in such
manner, would strike for relief with thei
own hands. and those who interferedt to r,
. strain them would be compelled to do
with redress of grievances or retire befor
their assaults. There is no philosophy |
the minds Of the people under difficulties
. in monsrchies, and but little IN republics
and those who expect it reflect lightly an
hazard largely.
In view Of all this, we sincerely hoI
that the Administration will SO clearly II
veal its policy by affirmative action befol
the meeting of Congress that the organic
ton of the next House OF Representative
will be effected in Its interest, and n,
, upon late party issues, which before thl
day should be buried out Of the sight {
the people forever, to be known no mol