Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-30


Numerous foreign journals, on
learning Of the assassination OF
the President, were disposed 10
think that damaging blow hsd been
struck At our institutions The serenity
Of the people amid the depths Of their
grief, and their calm confdence IN the
future Of the republic, excited the Won
der of those who thought an alarming
crisis in its history had arrived The
ouiet and simple succession Of the Vice
President, on the death Of his superior,
though there was nothing novel in it.
begot fresh wonder.
The only thing worthy Of note in the
conduct of the people during the past
few eyentful months was their liberation
Of q practical vacancy in the Executive
Office by reason Of the Presidents inca
pscitation for the discharge Of its du
ties. Precisely when that Interpretation
began is not known, but it is certain
that for many weeks it existed, and con
tinued down to the hour when his life
went out The people were fully aware
Of it. and in many quarters calls were
made upon the Presidents constitutional
successor to take the reins Of govern
ment. but in the absence Of q general
public demand for such q step he de
cIined to do 50.
This state Of affairs, and the quietude
Of the people under It, might well have
begOtten wonder. But it is altogether
likely that the people would have borne
q greater strain than this with like
equanimity. Until the Senate meets and
chooses his successor President Arthur
is the sole representative Of the execu-
tive power. Were he 10 share the fate
Of his lamented predecessor there would
be temporary horror, alarm and uncer-
tainty-as was the case in that memora-
be week in July-but anarchy would
not result, and confidence would speedily
return. God grant that no such test be
made, But should it come, it would be
shown to the world that the American
republic, involving the destinies Of its
fifty millions and their posterity, is not
at the mercy Of assassIDs. The Federal
Government is beautiful structure, and
excites the admiration Of all peoples. but
il is the creature Of other governments,
upon which it depends for support and
permanency. Back Of it stand thirty
eight separate, independent and sovereign
communities, every one Of which is a
barrier in the path Of those who seek to
peril the cause Of liberty.
The Executive, the head Of the Fede-
raj Government, lay for months on q
bed of pain. His counsellOrs, the Con-
gress Of the United States, were scat
tered far and wide. His voice could
alone call them TO his aid. The tide of
his life was ebbing fast. His successor
might be struck down as he was, and
yet the people feared not. For the citi-
zen of the republic saw that though for
the moment the allegiance he owed the
central authority might be in measure
relaxed, should the worst happen, that
which he owed his State could not be
lessened, and while its authority re-
NAMED unimpaired, his life, his pro
perty and rights were safe.
Here are the foundations upon which
the vast superstructure rests, and wheth-
er it endures or topples, its bases are as
lasting as the rock-ribbed hills. 1t can
never totter while heed is paid TO the
plans of the builders. Those benefac-
tors Of their race, the early counselOrs
Of Democracy, could they have lived,
would have witnessed countless vindica
tons Of their wisdom; but it is in crises
like that through which we have just
passed that their foresight is most mani
fest, and its value in the past forces the
conviction that there can be no peril from
which it cannot shield us.