National Republican., 1873-12-11
DEMOCRATIC EXPECTATIONS.

Sangnine Democratic politicians and
Journals arc predicting tho early return Of
tho party to power. Pointing to the cleo.
tions of the last fall, particularly in Ohio,
and to the dissatisfaction that in one way or
another, from time to time, finds expression,
they argue that the next year must Ger.
tainly bring them q like success; that the
causes which operated then TO give them n
Temporary advantage will be equally power.
ful In the immediate future. If there he
any other ground for the sweet dclusions In
which they are indulging at the present
time we do not know them.
Reasoning from analogy, the Democratic
politicians are not so far astny. During
the last two years the Republican majority
in Congress has been committing blundcr
after blunder-in ignoring some Of the most
evident demands of the country; in paying
more attention to the interests Of corpora
tions and individuals than to the business
TO which the people expected them TO at.
tend. There is no need to cnumcmte the
list Of measures that were Objectionable,
but which were nevertheless passed; the
long roll Of vital questions which were
thrown aside without the least considea.
tion. II. during tho session Of Congress
which has just begun, these errors shall be
committed over again, there Is not the least
doubt that the intelligent States which so
lately set their seal of disapprobation upon
the party will not be slow to repeat
the lesson they have taught. Mere protes.
tallons ofreform, mere resolutions to do only
what ought to be done, will be of little
avail. The country demands honest. faith.
ftil work at the hands Of the majority in
Congress. Never did a party have u more
magnificent opportunity than the Republi.
can party has to-day. Questions of the
gravest and most vital importance press for
action. There are the finances. The disas
tiers of the last four or five months show the
imperative necessity of immediate action
toward resumption of specie payment as
soon as possible Trade and industry ar,
almost paolyzed. The mechanic and the
merchant. the day laborer and the million
airc, Nil look TO Congress to point the way
through the difficulties which bcset US.
Then there Is the transportation question,
which has seized the West like one Of IL,
own prairie fires. sweeping away the trndi
tions and the associations OF years. Con
grcss, year ago. in the message Of til,
President, was asked to give it some attcn
tion; but deaf ear was turned to tn,
Presidents suggestions, and the Forty
second House OF Representatives passet
away into history, devolving upon the Sen
ate, in special session. the duty of correct
ing. M far Us II could correct 1t. the blundc
which had been made. A score Of less I'M
portant measures shared similar fate
The hope Of the Democratic leaders rest
In the belief that the Republicans will nc
In this Congress as they acted in the last tina
the session will be FILTERED away in idle an,
fruitlcss debate. in investigations, in til
ventilation of pet theories upon this an,
TINT question. irresponsible themselves
they will cndeavor to obstruct Legislation
and throw the responsibility Of failure upoI
their opponents. and then we shall have til
opposition press laundering denunciation
into the election months OF seventy -four.
the Republican leaders in Congress ar
guided by the least foresight, they will s.
shape the policy of the party so as to uttcrl,
destroy this hope. The Democratic part,
has done nothing whatever TO regain tn
conddcscc of the country. On the con
trary. II has blundered even more blindl,
than its opponents. With Fernando Woo,
rs the leader in the House, an,
John Morrisscy in New York,
disgusts every honest man in the country
1t has no policy. national or State, and
every day losing its distinctive party organ
zation. If those who are intrusied witt
the leadership of Rcpublicanisn shall onl,
study the needs of the present, and SHOW
some decent regard for the demands Of tn
future, the party Can confidently look to
long lease Of power. 1t is the party q
ideas. Of education, Of intelligence and Q
patriotism, No party has made so gloriou
record in any age or country; and be
ciuse ii has accomplished great things Il
the pas; great things arc expected from
now and In the future