New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-15

kipdled incendiary fires, or led the MOD III
the last riot, and you haven't to 20 lar
for the most probable inciter and ac-
tive participant in the next DISTURBANCE
Arrest on the other hand the surly scamp
who with brick OF club in his hand threatens
and erowls and talks loudly about maintaining
his rights, and ten TO one you have got
leader in the last outbreak, the man who
"fro,d dc lars brick" Find the political
marty that melted the last rebellion, you have
the one that threatens the next. Turn over
the red-mouthed delnagOgues who talk about
violent resistance and popular uprising
against the legally declared result of an cleo
ton, and you discover tile very men who
have rioted and rebeled before.
We seem to be approaching, II mdeed we
have not already reached, political period IN
which parties are to be arrayed against each
other, not az advocates of one or another set
of doctrines, principles, or policies, but as
iaw-abidng, peace-Oving citizens on the one
hand and a lawless evil-dsp0sed mob on the
other 1t is well enough for conservative CIT
liens of both partics-and the great majority
of both are such-tO consider seriously tiilS
tendency. Here are two great parties STRIVING
for mastery in the Government. The great
mass of voters in each were made TO
bel eve during the canvass that VIDE dlf-
ferences of opinion existed as to certain qnes-
tons of political doctrine and governmental
policy and methods of administration. There
was honest difference of opinions and an honest
division upon them. The issues were ex-
hallstivcly discussed and the vote taken.
What is the question now Does it concern
,t,;,,n
triumph or defeat of any well defined pollcyf
Not by any means. Let us not deceive our
selves. The first question now Is, which party
shall be declared to have carried the cleo
ton The result has been in doubt and the
dispute about it in progress for more than
three months. But is that the absorbing q'les-
tiOn the one of first Importance in the minds
of the peOple7 We think not. The previous
record of the Democratic party, its we'll
known character, the conduct OF many OF Its
representative men, and the utterances or
some of its leaders and accredited organs, have
all conspired to bring into the foreground ana
cause to be discussed with seriousness and
anxiety, if not with apprehension and alarm,
as the question of highest import. VIII the
Democratic party submit to defeat =
That is the question which in the public
mind has been held for the past three months
TO be of oyershadowing Importance. We do
not exaggerate when we say that the people
care little or nothing who is to be declared
elected President in comparison with the anx-
iety they feel for peaceful settlement OF the
business We state only an admitted truth i'll
saving that in the event of Mr.. Tilden's cleo
ton there would have been neither danger nor
II Il, rf .af
Republicans. The facts speak for themselves.
The apprehensions which have existed in the
minds of many for the past three months have
had their source in popular distrust of the
Democratic party, and the universal conviction
that it would sooner resort to lawlessness and
violence than confess defeat. The feeling of
uneasiness ard uncertainty which has so largely
prevailed i'm mercantile and commercial circles,
and has so seriously retarded the revival or
business, has been due not 50 much to the I'M
settled condition of political affairs growing
ont of the disputed election, rs to the Tear
that the party which had already plunged the
country into one war to revenge its defeat at
the polls would again resort to violence and
bloodshed in its efforts to regain power.
The spirit of the party is arrogant, over
hearing, and seditiOus. 1t was shown IN the
long slavery fight, in the Kansas struggle, In
the rebellion, in the draft riots, upon every
occasion where 1t could with reasonable hope
of success bring bullying and violence to the
aid of corruption and chcane. 1t may be
said on the other hand of its opponent the
Republican party, that with all Its faults 1t
has never bulDicd or threatened, or under any
proyocation either uttered sediton or init
mated the slightest disposition to resist the
will of the people or Obstruct the operation OF
law.
Herein lies the contrast. The distinction
between parties has come to be that one is
law-abding and peaceable, the other lawless
and disorderly. One asks the confidence OF the
people and submits to the popular decision,
whatever it may be the other demands power,
and threatens violence if its demands are not
complied with. Each may be known by Its
habits as well as by its record. Which is the
safer to trust7