Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-12-20
FIRST EDITION.
The new Confederate House.
THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY coSrnoLrxp ny t

THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY coNTROLIrp ny THE
soDTn, Az IT USED TO EDIaABLFD UNION
soLpirRs Pur OUT AND DISABLED roNFEDFR-
Arrs rUr IN ONLY THE rrARs AND BAI,H REFD.
ED TO COMPLETE TUE PICTURE.
Correspondence n the Cincinnati Gazaie
WAsnIsGroN, Doc. II.
Tho organization of the House, and tho dis
tribntion of its minor Offices, will test the oues
ton, whether The country is quite ready to see
Union soldiers driven out of the seryitc OF
Congress- and their places supplied by OK Con-
federates. 1t IL doubtless true that much OF the
best element among tho Southern representa-
iiyes IL To be found in tho ranks OF tho large
body OF Confederates-elect The fact that no
other class of men could truly represent tho peo-
plecf ihe south has adually reconciled the conn
try TO their presence in the Capitol. This is one
thing. But when tho Democratic party the
moment IL comes in power, puts itself into the
hands OF Confedorates, iis Offices with tliem
and stands by approyingly whilo those officers
replace Union soldiers with OK robolr it is quito
another thing.
HARD TO ANswER.
That a thorough sweep would he made in the
patronage of the House wis to be expected, and,
according TO the beautiful American system, an
matter of course, Union soldiers. WHO were
Republicans must go with tho rest. Can North
ern Democrats, however, eyer answer other to
the country or to their own constituents for
not filling these places with Union soldiers who
were Democrats There are hundreds of
thousands 4 those in the land l,ut the North
ern Democratic members stand by and SEQ
places, which, in decency II not IN right, belong
to war Democrats, given to Confederates. Not
only this but Mr.. Cox, who asprer to be, and
whom ii s now thought will be, the leader of
tho House, deliberately Introduces Il resolution
rectipg that, as the war has closed, Confeder-
ates have the aame rights to the public patron
age as Union soldiers. And every Democrat in
the House, except Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, vot.
cd to refer proposition of that kind to com
mttee for report There were Northern DEM
ocrats who followed their party III this matter
with reluctance, and who day by day find them
selves shocked by the prominence which eyory-
thing Confederate is attaining in their party.
But the leaders say it is tho road to success, and
the Democracy
MUST FOLLOW IT TO WIN.
As in the old time they must bow to the Sonth
to secure its full support in the next general
election.
or course the South, under the new Demo-
cratic rule, WAS entitled to share OF tho limited
patronage; but there arc thousands who fail to
see IN this any exellse for bringing tho Sergeant
alarms of the Confederate Senate to be door
keeper in the National House of liepreeenta-
lives 1t has been still worso to see him dis
charge disabled Union soldiers, and give their
places to disabled Confederates. Heretofore an
armless or legless man sitting III tho seat OF II
door-keeper was certainly known NJ g loyal sol
der. Now, II one wishes to Know, it il neces
sary to inquire i'll which army tho man served
In few weeks, however when the changes are
completed, everybody VIII know without the
asking. Now the blue and tho gray sit at these
doors. In few weeks there will be.
NONE BUT GRAY.
The blue will be seeking employment elsewhere
Let the loyal lay this to heart-that tho Demo-
cracy having come into power, it has issued or
ders for Union soldiers to strike their tents and
march ont of the National Capitol 1t has done
more. Confedeiateh have relieved them in these
seats of the Nation. One thing is lacking
Some outward emblem of this change is needed.
Over tile Speakers chair are two beautiful silk
flags. Let the ono of those next the Demoera-
tic side be replaced by the stars and bars. This
would be most fitting ind am honest acknow-
edgement of the real situation in and about the
House.
THE DEMOCRATIC MaJorIry.
Tho incoming party has fallen heir to many
elements Of trouble and weakness. The sharp
divisions and enmities on tho Repub
lcan side during tho last Congress will
not soon ba forgotten. The majority
could scarcely be united for any purpose.
The contest for leadership was so general az to
leave the party without any effective leader.
Ono moro Congress- with the Same Republican
Representatives would have been Of serious dir
advantage to their party. This han now passed,
and the struggle for personal mastery has been
transferred 10 Tue Otiitr blIB. IL IL difehuy Tdp
ing tercely in secret. Tho announcement of
the committees is almost certain to bring it to
the surface, and to make ii a standing cause of
difference.
The ruling majority is afraid of its component
clements. Moderate members arc fearful that
some Of tho hot headed ones will, in some hasty
moment, throw rebranda into the ll0use. No
botter evidence of these secret fears could be
asked for than was furnished by the caucns ap-
pointment of a acommttee OF party safety to take
charge OF all measures of policy, ahd really act
az vigilance committee to suppress the nhinly.
STRONG MINORITY.
The Republicans were never 70 compact and
united body ON the floor as now. They are one
hundred and nine men who are working harmo-
niorsly, and will continue to 70 work in the IN
terests OF thor party. There il no stiife for
leadership. All concede that to MIR. Blaine
without question. This minority embraces a
larger number of old members, skilled in tho
rules and in debate, than the majority can show.
| They have agreed among themselves to be
regular ard prompt i'll attendance, and
| to keep keen watch upon thor op-
ponents. Tie Democratic defeat of the
| iirst day is an illustration of tho relative
unicLness of the two sides. 1t gave promise OF
many closely contested fights between united
| minority, strong in ability, experience, and par,
| lamentary skill, and majority timid upon all
| issues afraid of elements within itself, and di-
vded by personal claims and ambitious