Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1876 — THE POLITICCAL OUTLOOK. [ARTICLE]

THE POLITICCAL OUTLOOK.

Uncertainty obaoures the political oatlook of our republic. Danger* are masked behind the gloom of thia uncertainty. That Governor Hayes was fairty elected preeident, triumphing over ay»tematic fraud* and violence, seems now to admit ot no reasonable doubt. That he will be so declared by the president of the senate is i.ot considered a apeeuiativeqtteation. But, notwithstanding these assurances, itcau not be denied that many ominous indications, foreboding evil to the country, will continue to threaten while the result of the election remains a subject of national controversy. Maddened partisans, both in congress and out, have assumed an attitude of hostility to peace, order and law to compel political preferment and partisan advantage. The adjustment of presentdiflicultieK demand? the highest order of patriotism and statesmanship. Moderation, firmness, and invincible integrity are the traits of character now called into play; and those occupyingpub)ic positions who exhibit these qualities to the greatest degree will prove to be the historical men of the times. Tire whole-business of the election in the southern states has been a national disgrace, and a humiliation of - the principle of popular government. The majesty of the Uw and the pleadings of mercy were alike disregarded and prostrated beneath the feet of reckless demagogues, while freedom .of speech and the tight ot conscientious choice at the ballot-box were made subordinate to an unscrupulous Inst of power by schemes of systematic violence and intimidation. From the contemplation of the diabolical deeds of crime that were perpetrated in the name of Reform and the indescribable suffering which followed, In order to secure ihe triumph of the miscalled democratic party, all feel, ings ot humanity shrink back in litter horror; while every true patriot bows under a crushing burden of shame for his country before the civilised world. To consider that the life and efficiency of a great, glorious, representative republican government depends upon the sacredness of the elective franchise, and at the same time to be assured that all the arts of villainy and crime can be employed with effective impunity, under the guise of boasted reform, to suppress the free intelligent exercise of this right, is a miserable mockery, and a most contemptible exhibition of canting hypocrisy. Such a state of things necessitated the appointment of investigating committee? by both the bouse of representatives and the senate, and upon them involves the obliga.ion to reproduce iu evidence the facts that underlie the inconelusiveneaa of the election. These committees go forth on their mission empowered to summon witnesses and collate evidence, in cider that congress may have the data essential t<> sustain it in some definite form of action in reference to the election in the disputed states. But in view of this tact the outlook is not encouraging. For it will be remembered that in the organisation of the house of representatives the newly elected member from Colorado was not admitted, because had he been the status of Colorado as a state legal!.’ admitted into the Union wou.d have been recognized; nor did they admit to his seat ihe gentleman who was elected to till a vacancy in the South Carolina delegation, because by so doing the authority of the returning board of that state would have been recognized; thus the democratic majority in the Louse of representatives evinces a determination not only to contest the election of these gentlemen but also manifests very plainly-that the bitterest spirit of partisan desperation is to color its action upon every subsequent que-- i tion at issue during its two week's : rpasion. Indeed the same bigoted pnfairnes? characterized the appointment of its investigating committees, a majority of whom ore r<>mmitted to eyery interest of the democratic party and in warmest sympathy and closest affiliation with the leading spirits of the rifle-clubs and representatives of the shotgun policy, which was such a nromi|igqt feature in the conduct nf the campaign by t|ie democracy. |Jp to the present hour the proceeding? of these committee? concur with the geperal unacrupulousnesa and dispostlion lo subserve mere party interests that characterised ( the action of individuals during the campaign. The reports of the qpmmitiees of which the majority are fiemocratf, prrm-we to be little

else than a signal to renew the fiercest antagonism; and no man can foresee the result in which a contest of this will eventuate. Happy will the country be if the shedding of bood is avoided. The unanticipated conservative attitude of the southern element, which has spoken out so pointedly in the democratic caucus against a resort to arms or other desperate means in order to inaugurate Mr. Tilden and overthrow the republican party, is indicative of redeeming qualities which we feel* like promptly recognizing in a truly patriotic and fraternal spirit, and may develop into some practical basis for the adjustment of pending difficulties; but of this there is yet no positive assurance. It is possible that an arrangement may be made by the two'branches ot congress by which the electoral votes will be counted in a manner that shall give satisfaction to a popular sense ol justice. The house and the senate have each appointed a select committee, consisting of seven members, to confer upon this subject. These committees may open up the way to an amicable adjustment of the matter. And yet there seems to be very little confidence among those who have been watching the course of the men who are recognized as leaders of their respective parties that this will be accomplished. If judgment is to be based upon the tone of debates which continually occur, no compromise is likely to be effected. Neither side is willing to yield any vantage ground ft may now occupy, ortomake concessions which shall effect the final result. The parties are so nearly poised that there is left only a small margin either way from which to draw without virtually yielding the whole question. There is little to be hoped fur, at least not before the return of the investigating committees now in the south; and the future is clouded with grave uncertainty.

It in stated, on what appears to be almost positive evidence, that skeleton military organizations are being formed in different parts of the country, under instructions from Mi*. Tilden. Conventions have been called by the democracy to assemble at Indianapolis, Chicago and other cities in the north, to discuss the subject of the election muddle, ajid make expressions offensive and defensive. Representative members of tlje democratic party, both in congress and in the private walks of lite, talk familiarly about a resort to arms if necessary to place Mr. Tilden in the presidential chair. Democratic newspapers positively declare that Mr. Hayes will never be recognized as the chief magistrate of the nation. To quote the language contained in a recent letter from a gentleman quite well known in political circles of this statte, “the democracy are “either playing a bold game of “bluff, or else they mean bloody “business. A few days will de“velop it.”

Slang muy sometimes be witty, but it is always vulgar. Scaffolds not cannon, and ropes not bullets, for the next rebellion. If Samuel J. Tildeu caunot reach the White House by way of the ballot box it is not likely he will get there by the cartridge-box. Many editors write as though they thought that independent journalism consisted chiefly in the abuse us frieuds and the flattery of their enemies. Four-and-a-half yards of half-inch rope is more potent to subdue an infant rebellion than forty rounds of rifle cartridges are to correct a full-grown one. We don’t want to see another civil war, but in case a rebellion should break out upon the inauguration of Mr. Hayes a position upon the staff of some gallant sheriff as chief of ordnance would aflord considerable sport. Col. John W. Blake, us Indianapolis, was in town day before yesterday, lie promised tq use his influence in the democratic conference at Indianapolis on the Sth of January, in the interest of moderation and law. His voice is for peace. If any republican attempts to incite armed -resistance to the authority of Mr. Tilden if he be inaugurated president, hang the traitor without benefit of clergy. Aud what is sauce for a republican will be good relish for a democrat with conditions reversed.

The«e are beautiful morbings when the man who forgot to prepare kindlings last evening persuades his wife to get up aud inaugurate the matin fire. After holidays bis eloquence must increase in fervor to convince her that this chore legitimately belongs to her catalogue of . domestic duties. For the information of those who have i never enjoy'xl the opportunity of a personal experience in that direction, it is modestly submitted that civil war is not the best means to right a wrong, but more frequently aggravates ite Skillful ' physicians seldom apply a red-hot iron to alky the inflammation of a boil. An atmosphere thickened with shot and things, is not tflwsys the most salubriona,