National Republican., 1877-04-14
POLITICAL HARLKARILg NEW ENG


There will be communities in every coun-
try who believe themselves especially
charged with the public welfare and re-
gard it as their right to propagate public
opinion. Particularly 10 this the case whore
the Government rests upon the intelligence
of the people. and finds ito security In the
public morals. The United States have
such q community, embracing number Of
States, and for the Last forty yesrs IL has
been the selfdeputed keeper Of the public
conscience, exercising species Of spiritual
censorship and discipline akin to the eccle-
siastical Jurisdiction Of the Pope in Cstho-
lie countries. If anything Is said In public
assemblies or done in official station; II any.
thing is published or practiced In any quar-
ter not in accord with the peculiar views Of
this people. it Is followed by their criticism
and introduction. and must offend no more
at the peril Of receiving what, in the judg.
ment of their austere virtue, shall be de-
nounced as condign punishment So il
has ever been, and, msyhAp, will continue
to the end. In the beginning they hung
insane old women as witches ar d restrained
the oHenses Of men BY penalties proper
honately severe. But there are like unfor-
tunates still. and men who will whistle and
kiss their wives on Sunday. Later, con.
ceiving that the power Of their example
and the pain of their displessure might re-
deem the world from the shame of strong
drink, they engaged In a memorable cru
SADIE against the worm Of the still, but only
succeeded in driving 1t out Of public places
into the privacy Of their own homes, where
instead of singing on occasion It wounds
constantly. They robbed their citizens of
millions of property in the attempt but the
worm lives yet, and will survive until all
the erring are dead. While weakness Is IN
the world It will have place. and hence i
is secure against the advance Of the
ages. Still later 1t found foe worthy
Of its prowcss-slavery 10 the South
and since the evil day upon which
the conflict began between them. the coun
Try has no. known peace nor felt security.
Upon the previous issues 1t had been di.
vided, because the enemy was local as well
ss general. but now there was consolida.
ton and dedication against national vice
and infamy. The campaign was success.
ful. Gradually the work Of circumvalla-
lion progressed, until at last 1t was perfect
and naught was left to the beleaguered in
s,itution but to strike for existence. The
blow hurried lis doom. and to- day 1t is dead
But the triumph turned the head and har.
dened the heart Of the community which
organized the advance. Having expelled
the sin Of slavery they advocated the policy
Of scourging the sinners into repentance.
Their lead was strong, and they carried
the measure. The burden was laid on at
their bisding and has remained until now.
and the country has mourned Its distrac.
tiors in consequence.
Time and reflection have satisfied the
people that the country cannot be truly
prosperous until there Is closer union OF
its interests. Hence there is o determine.
ton to remove discord and promote friendly
relations between the sections. But as
New England is not appessed yet, and as
she regards her brains as the intelligence
of the nation. and her opinion as its judg-
ment, she has placed the seal of her con.
demnation upon the purpose OF pacificstiop.
She can see no good resulting from elem.
ency, no peace in pardon. Mercy is no,
her merit, and she will consent to no concil,
iation while lone unrepentant rebel lives.
l. is nothing that the common good de-
drGnrds tie measure. or thai the crest
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