Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-23
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A U G U 3 Il "A.
FRIDAY MORNING, Feb. %, 1879.
TIE SENATE CONNECTION.

The Senate of the United States appears
to have been resolved into Il caucus. The
time of that body has been taken up for
several days past with speeches and ma
n9uvres bearing upon the presidential
to be made, and the end is
not yet. Day by day the contest wakes
in fierceness, while business pressing tor
attention is neglected. The most deeply
party in the progress of the
war of words is the democrats, who en-
Joy the sport, help it on, and count the
profit which it may be to them. 1t is the
most satisfactory entertainment that they
have witnessed for long time. Their
prudence in remaining silent is commend
able, in party point of view. When re-
publicans turn upon each other in deadly
fight, democrats can afford to remain pas
sive.
There is no doubt concerning the party
to whom the responsibility belongs for the
turning of the Senate chamber into eau
Gus room. 1t rests upon those Senators
who have arrayed themselves against the
nomination of President Grant at Philadel-
phia Those must be blind who cannot
see that the movements made by them,
ostensibly for the publication and i'm
provement Of the administration and the
benefit of the nation, have been dictated
with view to defeat the denomination of
the President. 1t is now very well I'M
derstood that there is no evidence what
ever to sustain their charges in connection
with the sale of arms to the French, but
the debate upon the subject has given
them the opportunity to indulge in dirt
casting, and this was what they desired
and all they expected to gain by their
course. 1t occasions surprise to witness
Senators who were supposed to be above
such business, descend to the dirty pool in
which they are engaged, because of their
luminosity 10 President Grant, but facts
are stubborn things; we are compelled to
take them as we find them. We would do
no in Justice TO Sumner, or SchurZ. or any
other opponent of Grant as candidate for
the Presidency. They have their right to
oppose his nomination, as other republi-
cans have. But they have no right to
cause the business of the country to wait
upon their caucus harangues in the Sen
ate. or use their high position to make and
send out to the country false charges
against the administration, which not only
serve to discredit the government, but to
impair the efficiency and harmony of the
republican party.
Fortunately the republican party is one
not easily disturbed by the wrangles OF
those whom it has placed in position.
Holding to free thought and discussion
upon all subjects of public Importance,
denying none the privilege of criticising
the conduct of leading men and their man.
agement of public affairs entrusted to
them, they are yet careful to discriminate
between honest and dishonest criticism,
and find no difficulty in abandoning those
who prove themselves unworthy of conf
dence, though once trusted and honored.
The debate thus far in the Senate has
been seriously damaging TO the political
standing of Senator Schurz. Charged by
Senator Morton with having declared his
intention to bolt the republican nomina-
ton if Grant be the candidate, he had no
reply to make. The impression is left
upon the Senate, and has gone widely
abroad, that he is in collision with Scna-
tor Blair to break down the regular re-
publican organization and establish the
new party f"passivists. This has been
suspected before, but never SO clear
" revealed "a in the recent debate
The course of Schurz and Gratz Brown
elected Blair to the Senate. and why
should not the partnership continue and
operate in the broad field Of the presiden-
tial campaign? Unless Senator Schurz
can remove the cloud of suspicion that
rests upon his motives and intentions, his
speeches can have little effect upon re-
publicans. 1t appears they have been
distributed as campaign documents by the
democrats in New Hampshire, but we
trust they will not deceive many of the
voters.
The St. Louis democrat discusses the
passive or ''possum' policy thus: SIN a
sketch of the 'possum as an article of diet we
find it stated that, in order to insure good
flavor, the animal should, after the fatal use
Of the shotgun, be suspended from the ktch-
en- window over night that it might be tho
roughly permeated with freeze. The demo-
cratic 'possum has been out in the cold so
long, and through SO many changing varieties
Of season, that we presume this little prepare
tory regulation need not be strictly observed
as to it,