The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-01

The people Of Underwater understand the
subiect. They ought sincerely to devise the
law which is toi,naake 80 great source Of
public subsistence and: enjoyment source
Of revenue to the State. z = :. , .:z...
Mexioo---The United States.
In Mexico the grand motive Of aspiring
men Is to get possession Of the Government
to enjoy its emoluments and prerogstives
| for personal qualification and parade. The
aspirants have no such feeling as the desire
to promote the public good and the general
happiness. This shows a low state OF public
virtue: a sense Of, public, obligation de-
graded and sensualized by the circum-
stances Of the body polite OF the country.
| The. mixture Of. races in Mexico entails
upon the State discord, feebleness, imprac-
ticability, tendency to decay, and general
recklessness. The small majority OF the
superior class, impressed with the difficulty
of advancement in, al State so pepu-
lated, are naturally led to consider
how best to take care of them
selves and get the benefits OF the public
institutions and public revenues. 1t is easy
to see how this inspires the selfish ambition
OF those who are endowed with ambition,
ingenuity, and daring. So there is no won
der at the number of aspirants to the high
Offices and the conflicts that take place, in
which law is ignored and force rules.
This demoralized condition Of the nation
OF Mexico is traceable to the homogeneous
character OF the population mixture
OF barbarism with civilization upon foot
ing OF equality in the power to participate
in government. Were the Government
held by people capable and homogeneous,
the condition of affairs would he entirely
different. -, a..., is..
Have we not had fearful lesson in this
country of the evils that aow from the at
tempt to establish equality between hostile
and wholly dissimilar races? Owing to
fanaticism, stimulated by avarice and am
bition, this country has been placed to a
good degree in the condition OF Mexico;
and have we not experienced some of the
terrible consequencesS See our public pro.
ceedings for continuing, our representa-
tive system; have they not become farce !?
The land is disgraced by the stratagems Of
partisans and the unauthorized interference
OF partisan officials; and such ls the confu-
sion brought upon the nation that for the
first time in the public history we are in
doubt and tribulation as to who is elected
President. ~ rs~s~.
1t is this state OF things which excites the
popular mind and unsettles the public opin-
ion, and fearfully diverts attention from the
ancient usages and impatrs respect for law
and civil authority. So excited has the
country become that fears of violence and
bloodshed have been, alas, too common and
we could easily imagine what condition Of
partisan warfare might ensue. 90.
Let us ask: Do we not all perceive in
this country most rapid degradation of the
public sentiment; at least in representative
classes, with regard to the Government? Is
the Government viewed in the majestic
light in which it was seen by our predeces-
sors-as an !, institution for the public
good and the general welfare Of the nation !?
Is it not rather an object of attack and Of
plunder? Do not ambitious men seek to
get their hands upon it now more for their
own personal qualification and aggrandize-
ment than from desire to promote the public
welfare and elevate the public dignity? Do
not our public men more resemble now the
Mexican competitors for public honors than
they ever did? AS certain as we live, the
social revolution in 3sle United States has
done more to bring about the present de-
graduation OF the public representative char
acter than all things else put together.
At this time there are three claimants OF
the Mexican presidency. Here we have
two. In this country as well as in Mexico
the claims involve questions Of constitu-
tional construction, and each party pro-
posed to decidefor itself, and force in such
case can alone solve the problem.
| !, We do not mean here to admit an equality
of culpability in, the two great parties in
this country; but the condition of things
growing out of q degradation Of the con-
stituent body engendered the political con-
fusion under which a party utterly unscru-,
pulous determined TO seize power lrregu-
iarly and uniawfuly by the employment OF
force. ats2 ~
Fortunately for the country the Superior
wisdom and patriotism Of the great and
good--of which we thank God there are still
many in the land-have provided the means
whereby the logical tendencies Of the fear
full changes that have taken place in the
political affairs Of the nation have been for
the present avoided. we shall sail by the
rocks and shadows ,,nharmed; but without
some measures Of protection not now in
force the future will bring perils from the
same cause that viii continue to threaten
civilization, public liberty, and the dignity
and power OF the nation. y -
Protection Of Sheep.
The Legislature has returned once more