The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1884-03-06

the south who Will abuse that nag Oh Wen
as there are fanatics fools in the north
who misuse II.
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.
Never before In the political history OF out
country was there such seeming indifier.
enos manifested by the people OF oil polite
al creeds In regard to the Issues Of the day
and the personal preferences OF candidates,
as at present. Usually, the political e.
element runs high for almost . year before
the meeting Of the national conventions,
clubs are organized. mass meetings, with
bands and banners, are held In oil sections
throughout the country, orators hold full
sway in every election precinct aud the
whole country presents . scene OF tumult
aud animation which 10 continued until tie
last ballot 10 deposited. These scenes,
this excitement, has been our history
almost from the foundation Of
our government, and It 10 therefore
somewhat surprising, that now. upon the
verge OF what promises to be the most ex'
Q ting, interesting and closest political con-
test that has marked the struggle OF con-
tending parties, that the political waters
are 90 calm and placid. There are various
reasons that could be adduced, with great
deal Of plausib,lity, why such state OF a.
fairs exist, and the most prominent one,
perhaps, 10 that the people-the great mass
Of our citizens-are year by year becoming
heartily sick of the turmoil and the tumuit
that Is occssioned by these contests, In
which scheming politicians alone are bene'
fitted.
Although bat Q few months remain before
the two great political parties will hold
their conventions and enunciste their
principles and place before the country
heir candidates for the highest offices
in the gift of the people, yet, no "enthusi'
sstic gathering" Of the clans have occurred,
no immense msss-meetings have been held
and the voice Of the orator, at this time
usually engaged in advocating the claims
of this or that statesman, 10 as silent al the
tomb. Occasionally we see discussed In the
columns OF some newspaper the merits, thu
lofty patriotism aud the distinguished
ssstesm auship of TILDEN aud ARTHUR, ol
LOGAN and BAYARD, Of EDMUNDs, LINCOLN,
MCDONALD and RANDALL, yet. even thsse
discussions lack that warmth aud spiri'
that 10 Y years ago marked the advocacy
| of any special candidate, and the voters sr'
still pursuing the sgen tenor OF their way
! regardless of the fact that in short tune
they will be called upon to decide which par
| " shall control the destiny OF our common
country. 1t may be, and possibly tis, better
that this condition Of affairs should mark
every politicsl campaign. 1t roos the
ward bosses Of their svocation; 1t rids as
political monte panks; 1t smothers animoe
tiles sngendered by infamstoty appeals
and 1t tears down the barriers Of hate ana
jealousy, erected and left standing by tbs
self-constituted rulers Of the people who
have been foisted upon them by the means
and methods oflong and exciting csnvasse'
and appeals to their prejudices.
This, however, is but the calm, and the
storm will soon be upon us in all Its fury
and the country will resume its wonted ex
element and appeal upon appeal will bt
made to the people, imploring them to BIT
careful of their action or our country viii
90 down into the vortex of misruls and an
archy hold high carnival. We can but e1
press the hope that when the storm ha'
spent its fury, when the contest has CLOSED
and when the people have spoken in no I'M
mistskable tone, that our country may
still continue to be then as now, the great
esL government the sun ever shone upon"
|
| GENERAL GRAHAM's victory near Trinki
tat alth Tough not as decisive as was hoped