Year: 1876




are upon the eve of both a Centennial
celebration and Presidential cleo
tion, to calmly consider the situation,
both in regard to the future and the
epoch in our country's career that We
propose to celebrate. A century has
accomplished much for us-what the
second hundred years will unfold is
known only to the Omniscient. We
are nominally at peace; internal dis
sensions are virtually ended, sort of
prosperity prevails, and there appears
to be general spirit of congratulation
upon the condition of national affairs.
1t is not time now, as We are turning
the centennial corner, to expatiate
upon what we have already accom-
plished, but it seems eminently prop
er that we should pause upon the
threshold of the second century and
contemplate the possibilities of the
future. In many matters we have as
a nation advanced; have we pro-
gressed in an equal degree in other
matters of national moment? Have
we as yet solved the problem of Re-
publicanism-or, more properly speak
ing, of Democracy? AS a nation we
have passed through an experience
that no other people ever endured, ,and
have come out from the ordeal nomi-
nally harmonious and united. The
career through which we have passed
has developed certain facts in political
economy that are, after all, positive
paradoxes. Such is the result of the
Democratic experiment. Incongrui-
ties come at all times in rapid and ILL.,
timed contact, and the adjustment of
these jarring condolences taxes the
intellect of the ablest for a perfect So
luton and reconciliation. The pres
ent epoch places us as a people in a
peculiar position, and upon the result
of the popular action during the COM
ing few months in great measure
depends the future of our country.
Civil strife has ended in fact, and con-
fessedly harmony exists throughout
the land; and yet We are forced to
ask the question whether we are
to-day as stable in our situation as
we were twenty years ago as nation.
The very experiences we have passed
through have necessarily developed
peculiar characteristics among our
people, have engendered certain fea-
lures in our community that demon
strate a state of affairs in our body
polite that most assuredly require a
corrective. By whom shall the reme-
dy be applied? From one end of the
country to the other the people have
already spoken. The rottenness and
corruption of the last ten years have
become so palpable in official circles,
and have been traced so near to the
head of our Government, which like
C8sar's wife, should be beyond suspi-
cion, that in this our Centennial
year we are called upon with impera-
tive demand to pause and take calm
view of the situation. The opportuni-
ties offered for corruption, and the in
ducements for fraud during the exist
ence of the present regime have been
such that it would be difficult for hui
man nature in its purest state to resist
the temptation. That gross crimes,
and monstrous malfeasance exist
there can be no doubt, for every hour
is filled with positive proof of the cor
ruption of our time. Certain it is that
remedy must be applied, and to the
Conservative element of our commu.
nifty we must look for relief; and in
view of this fact it behooves the De-
mocracy both of our State and nation
to see to it that upon the eve of the
most important Presidential election
we have ever witnessed we should


make no mistakes either in policy or
action. The din of war has ceased
concessions have been made upon both
sides, and the memories of the celebra-
tions at Concord and Lexington will
ever be cherished with grateful regard:
and in view of the fact that this spirit
of harmony does exist between the
two sections of our country that were
once estranged, it becomes us as a
people to demonstrate the perpetuity
and solidity of our Government
by taking new departure in the
way of correcting the errors of
the time, and to the Democratic
party the country looks for the reme-
dy. A great and honorable future
lies before it, ami it will be criminal
if it allows the opportunity to pass.
Prudence, honesty of purpose, and
vigor in spirit should be our animat-
ing spirit, and national success can
not fail us. The Napoleonic maxim
that blunder is crime, applies to
the Democracy of to-day. 1t has been
said that he who profits from his own
experience is wise, but that he who
profits from the experience of Others
is wiser, applies to the Democracy and
Conservatives of to-day. In a few
weeks the Democracy will meet in
Convention to choose delegates to a
notional gathering for the selection o1
Presidential candidates. A pro-
gramme for the Centennial campaign
will then he adnnted the effect OF