National Republican., 1877-02-05

The events of the recent campaign closed In
doubs and confusion. when considered In
connection with the occurrences OF the last
fortnight, furnish an example of the selEgov-
ernipg power Of the American people under
circumstances Of unparalleled distraction,
which will never be- forgotten by them, nor
laid out Of view by neighboring nations.
Wrought up to the point of frenzy by
passion and excitement, the two great
parties stood defantly In the presence
Of each other and OF the world, after the con-
test at tho polls, disputing the issue,
each regarding itself as the victor and
calling upon the people to assist In the ssser-
lence, II need be, in ma Int aiming their claims.
But while thus menacing opposition, ap-
parently unmindful OF the publ veal, the
better portions Of both were broodng over the
evils which arrayed them In hostile attitudes,
fearing lest by mistaken zeal they should be
hurried on to acts whose certain end would be
the disruption of the Government and the
destruction of their common heritage, while
unfriendly Powers looked on, confidently pre-
dieting the doom Of the federative principle as
the result Of our divisions, and joyously hail
ing what they believed to be the introduc-
tory spectacle Of expiring Freedom.
But Just when the catastrophe 80 much de-
sired seemed most imminent, and these rejoic-
ings were at the pitch Of exultation, the pre-
vailing good sense aud patriotism Of the people
came to their rescue and soon began to be felt
In the ranks OF parties, impartiug an effect
which was to culminate In preliminary CON-
pact for the preservation ofthe peace, and mu-
tual stipulations to underwrite the future aud
fortunes Of the country as against the folly
of its own indiscretions and the machinations
of enemies who counted upon our ruin
rs q means OF their own aggrandizement-a
source of wealth in It's progress, and security
against the incursions Of democratic heresies
In the sequel. Thus once begun, the process
OF reaction swept on, and continues to work
healing effects every hour, moving men who
but yesterday proclaimed their readiness to
shed blood In partisan strife to promote or re-
pei aggressions, to ayow to-day an equal
eagerness to accept any result found,
and to support the President who
shall be declared elected by the
tribunal to which the question is
committed, as the President of the people,
and not OF . party. Such is the change In
public sentiment caused by general glance
back upon the perils we have escaped, soften.
ing and subduing the obdurate, and con-
straining all to renewed dedication to the well
fare Of the country and frmer determination
to live less devoted to party. The great dan
ger to which We have been exposed, when now
In serious contemplation fully realized, exsrts
the dissolving influences Of common suffering,
and inspires the people with . livelier sense Of
the common destiny, and Of the necessity for
q more perfect national unity.
And so It 10 that there is q growing feeling
that whatever the decision Of the High
Commission may be, 1t will be the infallible
decree Of justice, and that whoever Is called
by Its promulgation TO occupy the Executive
chair, will come rightfully and equitably TO
the seat, entitled to the confidence and CO.
operation Of the whole people, irrespective Of
party, and, BY reason Of the merging Of parties
In the procedure, released In q large de-
gree from party pledges and obligations.
And II the great crisis through which
We have passed shall have the rehabili-
tating effect to awaken the dormant
patriotism Of the country, as Is now prom
ised, and to bring the better classes into more
harmonious relations and sentiments, diffus,
ing popular conception Of liberty higher than
as enjoining purity in the discharge Of the
as being merely the permission Of license, and
duties Of the citizen, then will the cloud o.
darkness which, overspreading, filled al
hearts with dread, be triumphantly dlspelled
before the light of better prospects and brighter
hopes than have dawued upon the Union fo
more than Q generation.