National Republican., 1877-03-15
PUBLIC ANXIETY ABoUT THE sIru-
ALTON.

There are signs Of uneasiness in the |
public mind lest some untovard event OF |
froward spirit shall intervene 10 thvart the |
general tendency toward national poace |
and unity. And, when the sources of dan
ger are 30 numerous, and the variance Of
opinion so great 10 respect Of the means
to be employed to avoid, or to meet and
overcome them, 1t is not to be wondered
at that such apprehension exists. The
whole subject Is environed with difficulty,
and, approach it as we may, there are oS
stacles in the way. Partisan schools Of
politics. teaching different and conflicting
theories, have 60 long contributed 10 the
confusion Of ideas and the corruption Of
knowledge. that a comparison Of views
among their graduates shows not only m
utter absence of sympathy and forber-
ance, but the presence OF distrust and iniol-
erance, In all their rudencss and rapoor.
1t could not be expected, however, thai
the disciples Of SC ctional hcrcsies may be
brought TO agree in sentiment where hAr-
moDy is to be obtained only hy CONCESSIONS
which wholly overturn their creeds and
canous. This would be to look for unnatural
results and to build upon fallacy. Bat NOT
withs'a ding the bitterness OF envy and the
dscord OF faction, II would be strange, in
deed, if the great body of the people. who
neither sympsthire with the one nor frster-
nize with the other. but abhor both, should
permit their evil Vaccinations to defeat the
great purpose of pscifcation. II cannot be
hat ha al nd md rSal
interests Of the country are 10 be sacrificed
at the bidding Of the extremists, Who seek
nothing but the glory Of party leadership.
and the popularity proceeding from pArty
triumph. Petty and contemplate as such
considerations are TO noble minds, the coun-
try has been long subjected to their sway.
and unless the people shall rise up and
drive the politicians out Of their temple, OF
compel them TO silence. there is cause TO
fear they will further postpone the day Of
deliverance from the chains they rivet upon
the industries and prosperity Of the coun-
try. But If this is to be accomplished d
must be done by the cordial co-opention
of the substantial elements Of the two sec
tions. 1t cannot be done by the better
classes at the North, while the correspond
ing classes at the South evince . feeling Of
doubt and reservation, nor can IL be effected
while there is reluctance anywhere. either
to advance or to recede. Every possible
precaution against misdirection should be
exercised. But when plan Of operations
has been agreed upon, after full and free
consultation among representative men Of
both sections, there should be no halt or
hesitancy in the execution. II il probable
that much good may result from the South
ern tour said TO be proposed by the Vsce
President aud ether public men OF enlarged
views and unprejudioed minds. hut Il is
questionable whether initistory ste2s
should not be taken in advance Of such
personal inspection Of the condition Of the
contested States by Representatives Of the
Administration. The season of CONNER
cial and industrial activity ID now open
ing, and unless the confidence Of the
people is invited and sustained BY the as-
sumption OF some positive position on the
part Of the Government which shall be sn
earnest Of iu future action. another year
will be lost ON the strands OF staEnstio1.
insepsrable from . condition Of doubt and
uncertainty. And not only VIII il be
destructive to the local interests Affected,
but disastrous TO the material welfare Of
the whole country. Merchants at the
North. recently promising themselves
large orders from the South in oonse.
quence Of the foreshadowing Of = vise
policy Of Federal administration, nov
that the most productive month OF srrias
is fast passing away without even . partial
realization Of the hope. begin To feal
that another twelve-month IL 10 interviews
before the I'D yantages anticipated vii b,
enjoyed. If these fears should prove vel
grounded and the season advances 70 id
close without any Of the result
which now give fullness to promise, Ii,
hearts Of patriots will sink within them
and the joy of the obstructionists viii MS
to exultation.
There Is no room for doubt that . grea
, majority Of the Southern people stan
ready and even anxious TO meet the ccncil
iatoIy overtures Of the President in Ii
] spirit which prompts them, or that the.
have the purpose to control the imprscti
cables in their midst. who profess prefel
ence that their section should sleep foreve
under the dust of the ages than thai
should advance TO that high plane Of dt
velopment Of which ii Is capable, by Ii
aid and guidance of Republican Pres
dent. That this is 30 We need no bett.
: proof than the sincere utterAuces Of Alley
AMBER ii. STEPHENS, made when 50 feshl
that his auditor, ex-Secretary Fish, feare
the effort might imperil his life: nor An
better pledge than the character Of ii
eminent citizen of Georgia III thers
any one man in the South who represent
public opinion there. It's Mr. STEPHENS; an
he declares that the people there ask nothin
further than Ia included in the policy q
the President, and that SO tar from bein
any discredit to them, DemocIsts Of u
South may accept Office from the Prcsidez
without any t. Int Of compromise whAteve,
. These views are in such agreeable oontrA,
, with the maudlin sentiments Of the Noti
, ern Democracy that the country VII b
Q resssured by them as by bencdiction. N
q refreshed a. with baptism Of purity. N
one did more than Mr.. STEPHENS 10 ave-
the calAmities of the war. and no one vi