The Hartford herald., 1880-01-28

Ii must be apparent to every one who
will look at the drift of American poll
ties for the last twenty years, that there
is danger ahead-danger to our free in
stitutiOns-danger to our republican
government. The signs of approaching
destruction to our present form of gov
erDment are becoming stronger and
stronger. Dark clouds are already in
our political sky. Their murky appear
ance and rapidly increasing proportions
portend evil at no very distant day.
1 am no politician. Never have been
one. Never was scorBs adherent of
any political party, but for twenty-five
years have been calmly Observing the
practical working of our political ma
ehinery, and am satisfied that there has
been, i'm that period, n very perceptible
undermining of our fabric of govern
ment- i know that many are disposed
to boot at the idea of the people of the
United States ever submitting to any
other than their present form of gov
ernment- But in u certain sense histo-
ry has been repeating itself in all ages
Of the world, and what Is there i'm the
American people to prevent the causes
which have crushed the freedom and
best interests of the people in other
places and ages of the world, from do
ing the same here?
Human nature is corrupt. This Is
true Of Americans as well as of others,
and with carelessness upon the part Of
the people, or blind adherence to party
which is worse, crafty men, in the ex-
ercise of the love of power and personal
aggrandizement, may subvert our free
government, and give US such one i'm
its place as suits them. And unless the
people, not the politicians, not any po-
litical party, but the people, assert their
rights-assert them i'm such a way that
politicians will be compelled to heed
them, such an epoch in our history will
soon be reached.
Now let US look at some facts. For
nearly hundred years, no party, adj
ministering our government, dared
openly and avowedly to override con-
stitutional law. But during the excite
ment of our late civil war, with pow
erful army endorsing the policy of the
administration, under the plea Of mill
tary necessity, the experiment of dis
regarding organic law, was tried. The
people suffered it, Very soon, rights
that the people had exercised from the
beginning, were trampled down with
impunity. Then the voice of the peo-
pie in the selection of the highest Of
ficer of the government, Is disregarded,
and one whom the people had not elect
ed, put in his place. More recently
still, the election returns of State have
been changed. These things show that
the people are holding their rights with
such light grasp that they could be
easily wrested from them
Now, add to these, the public demon
stratlons made by the people of the
United States, over Gen1 Grant 1t is
true he has been successful military
commander and President of the United
States. But others before him have
been all of these, and have not been
thus noticed. If he possesses qualities
which have distinguished him In his
military and civil official capacities,
they are an iron will, disposition to
distribute political favors only upon his
personal friends and supple tools, and a
desire to build a consolidated or central
lied government. Are these the quail
ties over which the American people
have become so enthused: Genl Grant
possesses these qualities to an eminent
degree. They are his distinguishing
characteristics. No other man that
ever filed the presidential chair pos
sessed these to the same extent With
these qualities, and in possession of the
unprecedented third term at the head
of the nation, how long would 1t require
to change the republic to an empire:
How long would it require to school the
people, who feast and toast and publicly
applaud and give grand receptions to
one simply because he once filed high
official positions, to gather around him,
and throw up their hats and cry, Long
lire the Emperor" As ridiculous as
this looks to the American eyes, the
"Grant BOOM" as il is called, Is tending
in that direction. And il is high time
for the people of the United States to
lay aside party feelings and party work =
and look well to their free andcherished
institutions. Those who administer our
government have too much power.
Our government is already fearf0lly
centralized. The most critical period In
our history is now before us, and much
care, wisdom and firmness will be
needed to avert the danger.
ANXIOUS