The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-18
SPIRIT OF EHn PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of the Lending Journals
UpOn Current TOpios-C Compiled EverV
DaV fOr tho Evening Telegraph.

REPUTATION REPUDIATED-A STIR
RING DISCUSSION In THE HOUSE.
From the ~ Y. World
The World, on behalf Of the Democratic
party, proffers its thanks to Mr.. Mungen,
one of the Democratic members from Ohio,
for the carefully prepared speech advocating
reputation of the national debt, which he
delivered on Thursday in the House of Re-
personalities. We thank him, as most of the
Democratic members who replied to him with
so much force and spirit thanked him, for
saying that he expressed only his individual
views, for which nobody else could be held
responsible. But his disclaimer Of any autho-
rity to represent the sentiments of the Demo
cratic party on this question is the smallest
of his claims to gratitude. We thank him,
especially, for giving an occasion, of this
carly stage of the session, for the manly,
honest emphatic remarks of so many
Democratic Representatives from various
States, who branded the views which he ut
tered as repugnant to their feelings, incon-
sstent with the national honor, and shocking
to the best instincts of upright men. This
spontaneous outburst of indignant, honest
sentiment on the part of the most distin-
guished and trusted Democratic members,
was needed to explode calumny against the
Democratic party which has been industri-
ously circulated by its enemies; and we re-
peat our thanks to Mr. Mungen for giving
these true and tried representatives an oppor-
tunity to disclaim and denounce his repudia-
ton crotchet in SO conspicuous theatre.
As peculiar honor is due to the soldier who
first scales the rampant and mounts the forti-
fication of an enemy, so we must award to
Mr.. Brooks, of this city, the credit of leading
off in the remarks by which the position of
Mr. Mungen was assailed. Mr.. Brooks
prompttude was not the consequence of SUI
perior ZEAL but of better fortune; but the
trenchant emphasis of his remarks gave to the
discussion tone of strength and freedom
which removed all restraint from the Demo
cratic members who followed him; and vet if
it had happened to any of the others to be
first on his feet and get the attention of the
Speaker, the tenor of the discussion would
not have been different. Mr.. Kerr, or Mr..
Cox, or General Slocum, OF Judge
Woodward, or Mr.. Randall, or Mr..
Potter would have led with equal vigor and
spirit in these conjoint and spontaneous de-
clarations of the purposes of the nation, and
of the Democratic masses as part of it, to
maintain the national faith inviolate and the
national honor unsullied. These speakers are
among those who have the most weight and
influence on the Democratic side of the
House, and their remarks will attract great
attention throughout the country.
The stamp of reprobation which has thus
been set by the leading Democratic members
the public debt, will be of signal service in
confuting the slanders which have been so
profusely heaped upon the Democratic party
in connection with this subject Disclaimers
and refutations by the Democratic press reach
only Democratic readers; but outline OF
this discussion in Congress will go into all
the Republican newspapers and the whole
country will at length be enabled to see the
real position of the Democratic party on this
important question. The aspersions uttered
10y Secretary Boutwell, in his Philadelphia
speech are met by contradiction which will
circulate as widely as the speech itself. 1t is
contradiction authenticated by the character
and standing of eminent Democrats elected
by the party in districts where the party is
strong, who understand the temper and faith
fully represent the views of their constituents,
and who supply the brains and leadership by
which the party is to be marshalled for vic
tory in the contests of the near future.
The World forbears to make this an occa-
sion for some obvious reflections on its own
course which will naturally occur to its
readers and the general public. Whether any
particular organ of public opinion is vind-
Gated or condemned by the progress of events,
is of comparatively little consequence. But
it deeply concerns the public welfare that a
great political party, which will soon control
the government of the country, cherishes a
high sense of the sacredness of the national
obligations. portion OF the Democratic
party may have been confused for q moment
by plausible sophistries, and transiently mis-
led tE false lights; but the V0Hd has
never doubted that this fraction of
the party was honest in its instincts,
nor that its ''sober second thought
would cure it of temporary errors. The So
phistries to which we allude found more or
less favor among prominent men of both
political parties; the late Thaddeus Stevens,
General Butler, Senator Morton, and Sena-
tor Sherman having either preceded Mr..
Pendleton in the annunciation of his views,
or indorsed what he was among the first to
promulgate The World never gave those
views any countenance, and it always felt
that it represented on this subject the real
feeling of the Democratic party, and of the
wisest and most sagacious of its leaders. We
are pleased with what occurred in Congress
on Thursday, not merely because it vindicates
our course (Which is q small matteE), but be-
cause it demonstrates that our confidence in
the Democratic party was well-founded, and
shows that the honor of the country will be
safe in its hands. We have heretofore had
more secret sympathy than bold, open sup.
port and not for our own sake, but for the
sake of the party, we are glad that its trusted
Representatives have had an opportunity tC
speak out this subject in language thai
cannot fail to command the attention of tn,
whole country.
CUBA BEFORE CONGRESS THE EX
TRAORDINARY POSITION OF TIL
ADMINISTRATION.
From the NJ Y. Herald.