National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-05
Backbone Needed.
From the Pittsburg Gazette.

FROM the IlttSDurk OaLette.
We have a few plain words to offer to Republl-
can representatives in both branches Of Congress,
in reference to their action toward several i'm.
pOrtant public questions, and their action TO-
ward others. In the general there is a lack Of
frmness and yigor, that is noticed, and is ek-
tremely unpopular. Conspicuous is q failure to
firmly support the political features Of President
Grants administration, as regards the treatment
Of Southern affairs, and as respects many fea.
lures of general policy that is not at all accept
able to the masses Of the Republican party.
There are those in Congress who seem to have
been totally unnerved by the election of last fall
forgetting that the identical thing the people in
tended to rebuke was the dilly-dally policy which
hitherto was born Of earelessness. We have, in
our Washington specials, intelligence that Judge
POland's committee Will merely report the facts
as TO the revolutionary character of Garland's
government in Arkansas, without recommends
tion. The subcommittee on Louisiana affairs,
two Of which were Republicans, gathered White
League evidence, and reported in their interest.
When the question Of preventing q Democratic
House, enough Republicans voted with the Dem
ocrats TO prevent the outrage being stopped. In
the Senate the party trembles in the balance over
the Kellogg government. Thus It goes. A blight
Of INDIGESTION has fallen on enough Republicans to
prevent positive action on any question Of radical
Importance.
are striking blow at their party that will not
fail TO do it injury and will not be forgotten.
Wnen the present congress convened, II was ad-
mitted on all hands that something positive must
be done in several directions. The finance issues
must be settled-this has been done. Southern
State troubles must, If possible, be remedied, and
something done that will tangibly operate to I'M
prove the suffering industries Of the country. To
our mind, and we reflect the sentiments Of very
many business men who are not identified In inter-
est with the road, that the Endorsement Of the
interest on the bonds Of the Texas and Pacific
railroad will contribute very greatly to the last
result named. As regards Southern State trOu-
bles a searching examination into their causes
was proper, and then the most vigorous measures
possible were necessary.
AS 10 the general facts, we take 1t to be unim-
peachsbly true that there Is aud has been an
organized movement to Overturn Republican gov
ernments in the interest Of the Democracy, in
order that they may control those States in the
Presidential canvass. This accounts for the
rancor displayed. In Arkansas the general
understanding is that by some means the Demo
Gratis obtained control over Baxter, and by an
utterly illegal creation Of o new constitution put
Garland in power. By this means they obtained
control of the government and are now In posses
sion. 1fthis general statement conforms With the
facts obtained by the committee, 1t follows that
power has been fraudulently obtained and state
government Illegally reyolutiOniEed. II this be
the case something is necessary to rectiy the ex-
isting condition of affairs, and this should De
understood and recommended by the committee