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Show THE ELEBIETNS OF A DICTATORSHIP. DICTA-TORSHIP. The Louisville Courier-Journal argues ar-gues from President Grant's character, his immonse ambition and the ease with which he has handled the Kepublican party, that the greatest danger to tho liberties of tho country lies in the almost certainty of his election for another term. Says the writer: Securely seated for four years more, Grant can proceed with his scheme ao that he may be able in lSTti to dictate to the whole people tho same abject submission which ho now requires of his own parly. American liberty was proclaimed in 1S7G. It is not unlikely that the hundredth anniversary of the famous Declaration of the h'ourth of Jlj -.t w ... : (- Iia practical abrogation. There is nothing noth-ing in the constitution forbidding a third term. There is nothing in human hu-man nature we mean the peculiar sort of human nature which is believed to abound in general Grant which is likely to induce a voluntary surrender of power. Give him a third term in which to perfect his plans, and ho will ask no lurtherj odds of parties. A plebiscite will sutlice. Universal suffrage, suf-frage, artfully managed by martial law, will suffice. General Grant will bo substantially a presidential autocrat, a military dictator, a proconsul, or an cmporor, as happens to suit the whim or temper of the times. And much more of the same sort. Now, we do not regard the above as an altogether exaggerated picture of what the political future of the country coun-try mightmay bo. It seems to be tending very fast in this direction. Sineo 1S00, the chief executive has acquired large powers ovor the States and the citizens, to hive oserciscd which previous to that time would have led to his impeachment and deposition. deposi-tion. .Now they are a part of his functions, func-tions, which pass almost unchallenged. Every day adds to tho sources of and demands for (he exercise of this power. South Carolina needs a dose of martial law for her political crimes; Utah demands some extra judicial treatment for her alleged religious heresies; ouc of these cases is within the range, of tho political duties of the government; the other it is said comes under the purview of the moral and religcous department of federal a flairs. Uut a dictatorship is only possible in any country wheu its people have prepared themselves for it. At present, we confess, the indications in the United States are in this direction. Like the children of Israel, when they asked the Lord for a king, the American Ameri-can people seem to be dissatisfied and searching for a new system of government. govern-ment. The holders of a great bulk of the consolidated capital of tho couutry would probably consider a dictatorship a very good thing for them. Then the interested politicians, the office holders and individuals who hoped to fatten upon official crumbs would be zealous advocates of a strong government, and a certain clas of reformers and religious fanatics would accept the situation, thinking that they might force their peculiar ideas and iaith upon those who would not otherwise accept them as gods. The irresistible argument for the "one-man power," however, is always a military necessity, which can easily be produced if it does not already exist. If there is not virtue, integrity, and common sense in the men aud women wo-men of the country sufficient to enable them to understand, appreciate and ; apply to their o.vn government the j principles of free republicanism, it makes little difference whether we have J a president or dictator. We should , be the tools and sorft of the ruling powers in either ci-v.'. Hut while our; political affairs are tending in the j wrong direction, we have yet iliimit.v j blc faith in tlic future of tin's young, ! and great country. There U indepeud- ; ence of character and honesty enough mong us, if it ever shall assert it-el!", ; to correct the growing evils into which I thk ceneration has been exst. 1 |