The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-11-18
Radical maiority.................-.11l
TWO-thir(lS la


In this calculation H. Is assumed that the
Radicals will elect three Congressman in
New Hampshire next March, and two of
the four to be chosen In Connecticut in
April, though in the latter State they may
not secure but one, as was the case at the
Congressional election OF 1867. Thus, it
will be seen that the Radicals will not
have two-thirtis vote in tho Forty first az
they have in the present Congress. Not
only will the Democrats have an effective
working minority, but among them will
be men who will mako their mark ON the
floor. Their influence is sure to DO felt.
Among those who are likely to be especial
ly prominent are s. s. Cox and James
Brooks, of this city--the former tho most
efficient parliamentarian who has heen in
the House during the last ten years with
the possible exception Of Alexander H.
Stephens and the late Thaddcus Stevens
and the latter very useful member by
reason of his abilities as speaker and his
journalistic facility in handling statistics |;
s. s. Marshall of Illinois, and Michael G.
Kerr of Indiana, both singularly efficient
in any deliberative body, and doubly SO in
the House, because Of their long expert
ence in the Capitol; Daniel w. VOORHEES,,
of!ndiana q ready speaker and debater.
and more than match for any opponents
whom he is likely to meet ut Washington i;
Judge Woodward and Henry D. Foster, Of
Pennsylvania. both men of more than or
binary ability; and Joseph II. Smith Of
Oregon, of whom report speaks in very
Mandatory terms. In all these gentlemen,
and others who might he mentioned, the
Radicals in tho House will find foemen
worthy Of their steel, and, we moro than
suspect, adversaries with whom they will
be reluctant to cross swords.
The Radicals have reelected . number
Of their brightest lights, at the head of
which is Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachu.
sets, by all odds the sharpest man in de-
bate on their side Of tho House. Among
their other champions who have boon re-
elected are Robert G. Schcnck. John A..
Bingham, George S. boutwell,, James G..
Blaine, William d. Kelley, e. Il. Wash
burne John A. Logan, and James A. Gar
field, all mon who have attained pr0nli-
nence in the present Congress by reason of
the poor stuff of which the Radical portion
of it it composed, The Radicals. however,
will miss tho counsels of Thaddeus Ste
vens and James M. Ashley. of whom the
former has gone to his last account, and
the latter to settle certain accounts tho
mere mention Of which never reflected
much credit upon him.
The country will be tho gamer by
the increase of Democratic Represen-
tatives and Democratic brains in the
next Congress. The experience Of the
last two Congresses has shown how
disastrous thing it is for one party to
have an overwhelming majority in the
National Legislature; and though the
Democrats in the Forty-irst Congress
will be too few to check all Radical leg
islation, they will still be strong
enough in numbers and brains to pre-
vent repetition Of much of tho ill-ad.
vised and hasty action which has well
nigh made the mere name Of Congress
by-wOrd and reproach in the Opin-
ion of all honest men.