Smyrna times., 1880-03-31

\
tions now being asked, tauntiaSly 1t may
Ln is how strong should the Government
b.9 This is 4 question which the party
.,o,,.rs ga, discuss to their extreme limit
and even stretch beyond the bound OF
oroprie:y without the liability even OF
bo;nc called to order. But the non parti-
gan press is held to greater responsibility
and bound down to the most cautious
limits. Nevertheless, the question OF Gov
crnmsntal policy is one that goes beyond
the partizan to more vital issue-that OF
securing citizenship, and rightful laws.
The dangers threatning the country
though different in character are but little
less portentous than they were twenty
wears ago. The abolition of slavery, (the
then apparently only disturbing elsment)
and the adoption of the amendments to
the constitution has by no means brought
us settled peace and quiet. The introduc'
ton of this large class suddenly from the
conditions of chattels to sovereign voters
without any tutoraSe has been the means,
though themselves passive in the transl-
ton, Of forcing an element into our nation
a! affairs constantly producing the greatest
inharmonics. The great danger staring us
in the face is the desperate contest for
party supremacy. The unfortunate close
contest Of four years ago when both claimed
the eleotien-one the electoral votS as cast
and the other as it would have been cast
but for the "shot-sun" policy,-is as much
undecided to-day, Though, President was
seated by the Supreme Court, as it was
then. There is feeling Of getting even
dominant in the hearts Of the counted
out" that is apparently ruling to rashness.
A jocky who feels he has been over.reached
has very little cempunctions of conscience
in making new deal. Tho ruling spirits
who run party machines have little regard
for anything but success. The recent at,
tempt to steal the State of Maine and the
proposed unseatiNg Of certain congressman
to accomplish the same result, shows the
spirit that IS to actuate the coming cana.
paign. The very prospect Of this has
raised the cry ef ''strong Government
and fostod an anomaly upon our Govern
mental policy Of the "third term, that
in any preceding period in the history of
our republic could have had no numerical
support. We are evidently tending toward
dangers, and should the Presidential elec.
ton result in as close vote this as it did
four years ago, there is no telling the re.
suit. Hot heads have asserted that there
will DO no more S by : decisions, and the
men are not wanting in desperation to
appeal to force where there is any show of
success. But fer these turbulent cries there
would be no demand for "strOng Govern.
ment," and the very fact that there is this
demand, slows that We are surrounded
with dangers. Those who fought for and
succeeded n placing the right Of franchise
to the negro in the organic law, will not
stop short Of having that right Individually
respected, and there is not likely to be a
peaceful issue until this is obtained. The
temper Of the late extra session Of Congress
showed that the Estates right" doctrine
was forced with revolutionary intent, and
would push its issues at the point of an
upheavel. The objective point is the
Presidency and the immense official patrop.
age under its contrel, and Congress has
been criminaily at fault in not having
passed Law directing how the electoral
vote should be counted If there was the
proper disposition several bills introduced
could have been mado with notifications
to answer ths desired result. Asitis, there
Is ne prescribed way tor certain continrsp.
ciSs taat are likely to arise. One partv is
afraid tbs other may obtain an unforeseen
advantage, and the hesitancy ia adjusting
plan to pass through prospective Difficult.
ties Is painful. 1t looks as ii numerical
force rather than law is to DO the arbiter in
the coming contest.