New-York tribune., 1871-01-02
THE DRIFT OF POLITICAL DISCUSSION

IHE DRIFT VI iOIl AL DlNOl S>lON.
Mr. Jones of Kentucky did an excellent
service for Republican editors when he introduced his
resolutions OF amnesty. prefaced by preamble affirming
That Secession was before open question
Democratic editors remain silent they hnd 1t i'm
possible the jibes OF their opponents, who
insist asking them why the Democratic members
declined to support directly position which they hl ye
always supported indirectly. The Dubuque Tlnes THINKS
more Representatives like Mr.. Jones needed. Let
general amnesty he proclaimed 1t says, ana let me
Democracy nil the vacant seats IN the Capitol with her
representative men III tie shpe OF halEait hep'S, @ ~
made a power in national legislation. with half a
hundred magan oOmpeers of Jones and Rogers ia the
li0us', and score Of McCreer!s ana Nances III the
senate f.asting their glowing Imagination with hell
windows the Democracy will ind it difficult ~ con
the people that they the party OF patriotism
danger, the Repubicsn party Gas rescued them open
the and let the Democracy leed in Its Canes J"
Nearly all the Republican papers of the
country though many Of them disagree with the Presi
den ia reference 10 the annexation Of San Domingo, eX-
press pain at the position assumed by Senator Sumner
Several Of these papers have been already quoted The MI
cGlee Sentinel thinks Mr. summers recent remarks were
unworthy of him. and that his warmest friends will
feel that he has been fearfully wrong" The s. Paul
Press laughs AZ the caserness vIth which Jhe chicago
Tribune hasiened 10 express Tear tht the unfortunate
movement threatens dNi~0no oi the Hepublcan party.
II decidedly peculiar Tor hat paper says The FtSs
Repu6iican marty a. unfortunate That paper
TO the - our knowledge been characterized by
prarfy'" Tie Sacramenfo Union considers the debate
Unfortunate in more than the severity OF Mr.. Summers
tOne Those who undertook the defense OF the Pres
dent" " says, were feeble in execution ana gained
nothing by the style OF nyectiye which aimed at the
personal abuse Of the Massachusetts, Senator" The
baltimore American :" The course Of Mr.. Sumner
was unfortunate and he forgot the prOpretes OF time
and place But let Justice be done The country cannot
afford forget what it owes 10 his unfaltering con
staney and great ability" IL suggests however that
n not unusual for who artrrresstibe in minority
and uuconuuerable when heading the opposluOn, 10
fail when they must speak for the Administration.
4
1t is interesting TO note the graceful facility
with which those papers which represent the extreme
bitterness OF Southern opinion change their opinion Of
Southern politician the moment he publishes letter
accepting the situation" and advising his fellow Dem
ocrars 10 take common scnse views Of existing affairs
The Hon Benjamin II. Till appeals in vain to his past
record his 3TUNed fidelity To The Democracy,
in vain stubborn facts to which he has yielded some
OF hs former preudct Many OF the ultra Democratic
has published an address which he acknowledges the
binding force Of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, ana FL
teenth Amendments and advises his friends to make the
hest them Several papers In other states are equally
Indignant The Mobile Register says: Another one OF
our patriotic idols has fallen from the altar. II Is but
few weeks since that behOldug the people OF old
girding themselves for the struggle or
redemption against their ignOble tyrants now going on
expected nOmentarlly 10 see his good
sword flashing through the smoke In the mont OF the
battle and hear again those cheering notes and brave
and gallant words which only two years ago electrified
a. lost and like spaniel croucLes i'll the dust, before
the lustful power ~ KAdca-Ih. Why does he do II
Ber4use he il political BOmbastes he Is very Lue
FER in his fall When he signed his last address, he had
every honest lover OF freedom in Georgia both men and
women