Answer:
It means the moment when democracy was threatened was a terrible time, because it threatens the whole country.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gorman says that we did not expect to be heirs to such a terrible time. That hour is the time when democracy and order were threatened in the country, which threatened the life and freedom of all citizens. A "terrifying hour" refers to a time that will have extremely negative results and that will accompany people for a long time.