National Republican., 1877-02-18
A GLAD SABBATH.

This will be day OF unusual gratitude
and praise throughout the United States,
and among the people of neighboring na.
tions friendly 10 the cause Of free govern.
ment. Nor will II be confined, with US,
to rurty ranks proceeding from partisan
success, but will swell the hearts Of all the
people with than kfulness for safe deliver.
ance from the meshes Of sophistry woven
for the confusion Of counsel, and the
mazes Of evil spread for our bewilderment
and destruction by the cunning hand of Fac.
ton. The great body Of the American peo.
pie of all creeds. denominations and parties,
without scarcely knowing whence the peace
full emotion, until brought home 10 con.
sciousness by the evening reverie after the
exercises and ceremonies Of the day, will go
forth this Sabbath morning with calmer
trust and deeper faith in the watchful
provldences of Omniscience In the affairs Of
men, than they have felt for many q Sab.
bath before. Though lifted from the gloom
which has so long shrouded the armament
Of hope, they have not as yet been able to
realize fairly the full fruition OF the
peace 10 spring from the adjustment
Of the difficulties which have sorely
perplsxed and distressed them. But with
the reflection which comes with repose,
they will clearly discern the advantages
gained and the consequences escaped, and
without further expression Of dissent, there
will be general acknowledgment of the
wisdom which directed the conclusion an.
ounced. And while 1t is impossible for the
people to understand fully the constitutional
questions involved in the controversy, and
impracticable for them to attempt 1t, they
will not fail TO comprehend the broad prop.
osition laid down by the Commission, that
the election OF the President being con.
ceded to be the exclusive function and priv.
ilegc Of the States, it is not competent for
the Federal power to review their action,
and assume the right to annul it, il, in the
opinion Of Congress. there have been ir.
regular and unlawful acts done at the polls
or in the canvass Of the votes cast. This
principle is so clear that the junior class in
the history Of the United States in any of
our public schools could not fall into error
in respect of it. And this being so. there
is no danger Of any misapprehen.
sion of it on the part Of the masses,
leading to an approval Of attempted
resistance TO the decision rendered, OF
tending to encouraged disposition to do so.
On the contrary there will be such O
pronounced recognition of the justice ol
the position taken by a majority Of the
Commission as TO the distribution of the
powers Of government between the States
| and the Nation, that doubters will be con
strained to yield immediate and full con
currence therein, and Join in the popular
mandate against any disturbance of the
peace on account of 1t.
But in this injunction Of the people there
will be no implied criticism of the view
or condemnation Of the acts of the minor
ity Of those appointed to determine tn,
issue. Generosity toward fault, and mag
nanimity in the hour Of triumph, are trait
peculiarly characteristic of our peo
pie. Our institutions are eftlcien
schools Of instruction in the vir
tues Of tolerance and forebcarance, ant
they largely enter into the organism ant
action Of society. The i'll events OF to da,
will be forgotten in the better fortunes o
tomorrow, and as peace and prosperity sp
pear again in unclouded promise there will
be no accusation and no rctort but genera
assent TO the Christian sentiment that tn,
destiny Of the country has been overrulet
in this emergency, as in all others preced
ing it, by the Giver of Wisdom and tn
Dispenser of Justice, for the good of all-ai
well of those who opposed as of those wht
approved the decree.