National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-09-02
The Tjcc-Jycsidelt on the Yo,i-
icui Situation.

The Vice President Colfay has
written an article on "Thc Coming
Contest in which he presents some
facts and views in regard to the
present position of national politics
that deserve consideration. He
refers to the Democratic hopes of
carrying the next House of Repre-.
sentativcs as being more sancuiuc
than any cherished by that party
tor several years, and ganccS at
the reasons therefor, such as the
disagreement among Republicans
III respect to financial measures. and
the dlsaiiected influences of the
long enjoyment of power. Mr..
ColtaX adds: But their highest
hope is in the severe and sweeping
criticisms of Congress-, during the
recent session, 10y prominent and
influential Republican papers, edit
OF and correspondents, pcrman-
emily alternating tens of thousands,
as they trust, and thus, if their
theory is correct, converting the
Republican majority of the past
into minolity.' We cannot help
thinking that the Wee President
takes rather Washington view Of
this matter, and overratcS the dan
ger attributed to the criticisms of
the Republican press. The Demo.
cratic leaders have marked this
kind of demonstration so often be
fore, and its ultimate effect, that it
does not afford them much real III,
splration. They would have liked
1t ten times as we'll if the Rcpublj.
can press hld been silent all last
winter, thus abetting n state Of
things in Congress which might
have defeated al the financial re.
forms now constituting one of the
great sources of Republican strength
before the people.
Mr.. ColfaX admits the differences
which existed among the RcpubIi
can members of Congress, but says
they merely reflected the honest
disagreement prevailing among
Republican editors themselves as
well as among the masses of the
party. In spite OF those differences,
however, Congress steadily worked
itself to harmonious and beneficial
results. In one respect, particular
ly-the influence of the lobby ovci
legislation, o. which many pcopl,
had got exaggerated Impressions
the record presented this CRAFTY
Ing and almost unprecedented fact
viz: "Whcn Congress adjourned
it was found that neither the Sc
nate nor the House had voted
single dollar out of the Trcaeur'
for subsidies to steamboat lrcs, t,
MississirPi leteeS, to railroads, o
10 private or public companies o
any character
In passing from what Congress
did not do TO what it did, Mr.. Col
fax rchcarscs the list C measure
with which all ought to he familiar
We can only eptomize them in iii
bricicst manner. The four um,
stored States were brought into ia
Union, thus completing the gran
work of reconstruction. The thrc
last great amendments Of the Con
sttutiOn were made available i
adequate enforcing legislation. I'll
administration gained lil'ty oI
millions of dollars of revenue ovt
Johnson's administration for q
same time, by means Of better ~
more honest collection, and it -truc
of 81 10, 5000, 900 from the nation
'cbt Rctrenclmcnt was set ,
foot IA every department of Il
public service. The tarir' aud II
taxes were materially reduced Il
former by the substitution of spr
iiic Gur advol0rcn duties, to u mu
greater extent than would appc
at the first glance. The mas
SHOULD understand--lor they y