New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-12
I TINE FOR INDEPENDENCE.


Congress will soon assemble under most
extraordinary circumstances. In the Lower
House is usually found the latest expression
of the popular will. But i'll this case the
majority is the product of Democratic victories
Il year ago in States which have now gwen
Republican maiorlties. Even before that body
organizes the people have declared their want
of confidence in the party which embraces Il
large majority Of its members. BIT the Senate
still less represents the popular will OF to-day.
Many members of its Republican majority are
mere fossil remains OF q bygone era. They
represent ciques long since broken Zip, cor
rupt rings smashed by the elections OF last
year. prcjudices and hatieds which have passed
from the minds of men, OF controversies which
have no more interest to the people OF
to-day than the wars OF the extinct
monsters whose bones are gathered Tor
geological museums. Within three years
q great change has occurred in the spirit ana
purpose of Republican voters. But maIy Re
publican members OF the Senate are either foes
or absolute strangers to the Republican party
as il is, and serve only TO remind Us disagree
ably Of the Republican party as 1t was. Old
issues havo passed away; questions of finance
thought. But many Republican Senators are
either foes of sound finance and of all reform, or
so ignorant of both as to be worse than foes.
Thus TIE Republican Senate does not repre-
sent the Republican party. lie Democratic
House does not represent the people. This
Congress will be in no sense Il representative
body unless the more intelligent and worthy
members on both sides spurn caucus dictation,
disregard the wishes of party associates, and
act together independently of party ties, to
do the will OF the people as expressed III the
elections.
VIII they DO so9 4 practical test will be
presented Mt the very outset Democratic
members who believe in q sound currency, If
tley go into a party caucus and bind them
selves TO vote for an inlatiOnst as Speaker,
if majority so determines Will not represent
the viii of The people. To pledge their votes,
under any circumstances, 10 salaiy-gIabber,
O corruptiOnist, q ropudal1r. or nOn-coin-
INITIAL hickster who eyadcs living issues, Is to
insult the people who have intrustcd them
with power Republican members, if they have
an opnoItruity TO elect on upright and conpe-
tent Democrat who vii organize the commit
fecs for snccdy return TO specie payments viii
nroulc have q right 20 demand from every mem
ber Of either party respect for the popular Will.
Neither party, Gs now constituted, represents
that will. The people insist upon thorough
administrative reform, and TUNED the Repub-
lean party out OF power because 1t tolerated
the leadership Of men who were utterly faith
less on that Issue. They insist upon return TO
q sound currency aud fidelity to the national
honor. and have defeated the Democratic party
because il has gwen fellowship and sympathy
10 advocates of rag money and reputation.
If the men who are in earnest FOR reform and
honest money VIII act together or all vital
auosf;ous during the session, respecting the
viii Of the people more than caucus dictates
or marty interests, they viii be marked as the
leaders OF the future, aud honored and trusted
by the best element IN both parties. II they
lacl. the courage OF the patriotism, cringe be-
fore the crack of any party lash, and suffer
tine session TO pass without determined efforts
to serve The public interests, the people viii
remember them not less, and viii teach them
that this country cares nothing for either party
except as it may serve to promote better GOV
ernment.
The independent voter Is fully aware Of his
power. lie has been smashing the rings ana
upscttiug the calculations OF both parties, not
at al by accident, bnt of deliberate purpose,
because he has not found either party worthy
of mreshaiucd power. IL does not propose
that either party shall De strong enough to
laugh at him in future lie intends to have
something done for the public good, by one
party on the other. IN his hand he holds the
power 70 reward or punish. lie Is not very
numuoaSiy represented in either branch of
ills extraordinary Congress, which at present
represents nobody. But the member Of either
marty Who refuses 30 regard the wishes of the
independent voter may as wei remember that,
in district in which the usual Republican
majority is counted by thousands, even Gen.
Butler, with all his acknowledged adroitness
and resources, could not save himself from
political extinction.