Year: 1866

LAST NIGHT.


If there were doubts entertained before the
great meeting at the hall of the Maryland In
stitute, last night, as to whether the hearts of
the people are with the President in his efforts
to give us once more substantial peace, those
doubts are now at an end; for a more signal
demonstration of the popular will than the
one in question never occurred in the city or
State. Comprising in the vast crowd the
substantial citizens, the business men, the
working classes, those indeed from every rank
in life whose interest and whose desire it is to
see the country restored to happiness and
prosperity, the enthusiasm manifested could
not be surpassed; the determination to stand
by the President could not have been made
more plain, so far as one vast utterance in his
favor could give earnest Of it.


The truth is, the people are awakening in
their might, after having borne with unex-
ampled patience the short comings of their
public servants in Congress; and indignant at
the neglect of the public interests, and resent
ing the obloquy attempted to he poured upon
the head of one Of their most illustrious de-
tenders, they are at last coming together to
rebuke those who have so defantly shown
their need of it.


And that this, beginning demonstration was
emphatic enough, there is no question now.
With the public sentiment at last stirred to its
profoundest depths, let those who have been
standing in the way Of final settlement of our
troubles, take heed after this how they triae
with the dearest interests Of the people; let
them be warned in time, if in official posi-
ton, to get out of the way of that avalanche
of righteous Indignation provoked by that fa-
naticism and folly, which have had il. the past
history of the country hardly parallel.


The people up to this time have been singu-
larly patient They knew that with the enor-
nous public Indebtedness, and with plans of
the able Secretary of the Treasury before Con
gress for tightening the public burdens, that
the men sent there for that purpose, were
squandering their time and the resources of the
nation, in triting debate; in criminal endeav-
ors to perpetuate party rule. That so far from
showing by their action, gladness that the war
was over, and that sectional animosities pro-
missed to be extinguished that they were pro-
voking new strifes not only in the South, but
in the North, also; plainly endeavoring to
set the national edifce on fire. that they
might, years hence, perhaps, have the cred
1t OF extlnguishing the flames. The people
IN the beginning of matters were too busy
repairing the damages inflicted by civil war.
to note all this. They were willing to trust
these public servants of theirs; and they
hoped every day to hear from the National
Capital, that something had been done to
settle the many vexed questions growing
out Of the war. Held in check by the Pres
ident in their purposed usurpations; dis
appointed and angry because he also would
not join them in their unwise attempt to defy
the national sentiment, they have at last made
no scruples of attacking him with every vile
epithet, and viler insinuation; until carrying
the matter too far, he has turned upon them
to repel the assault as it deserved.


ALI this, the people know; and last nights
demonstration was good proof of it. And if
they have been supine over this condition of
things hitherto. it is plain that this is to be so
no longer. The people have suffered enough,
been patient enough; but it is evident that with
them, patience has ceased to be virtue. If
they never knew, or never cared to test their
power, the case is altered now; and in this
conviction: let demagogues beware. Hereaf-
ter. it is plain, the people do not intend to be
misunderstood; and in the conviction that the
President is their friend, they are going to the
rescue.


We hail this movement as new era in the
State. ltis movement that should command
the support and the best wishes Of every friend
Of his country. Calculated more than aught
else to unite all in one common organiza-
ton; giving US a common aim in seeking the
welfare of the States, it will, we hardly doubt,
eventnate in the formation of great National
Union party, such as in the future will defy
the animosity of those whose delight is in the
midst of strife. Needing such an organization
to protect the State from evils which other
wise seem endless, it is for the moderate men,
the good citizens, the peaceably disposed, to
do all they can to encourage such amovement.


We cannot quarrel forever. We cannot 90
on embittering our lives over issues made by
such men as Sumner and Stevens, who if we
were to rend each other in pieces in these mis-
cradle feuds, would not care straw for our
fate. The time has come for something better;
and if we are truly wise, we will break away
from the one idea leaders, who having their
own way for months, have only complicated
matters more and more. The initiatory step
has been taken. Who will be bold enough,
patriotic enough to stand by his country rather
than devote himself to the interests of party?