The New York herald., 1876-01-22
Intellectual FsebIeness in Public Life,

able Ii exhibits thus far greater dearth of
political sagacity than any of its predeces-
sors since the beginning of the government.
The feebleness of the democratic side admits
of some apology, although no explanation
can alter the fact. That party has been so
long excluded from public trusts, both in
the federal government and the greater part
of the State governments, that it has not had
equal opportunities with its rival for training
up body of rising statesmen. Talents
for public life need to be developed by
experience, and a long exclusion of the
democratic party from power has stifed and
kept down abilities which might have been
respectable if they had had access to the only
school in which the art of government can
be well learned. Most of the democratic
members Of the House are new men who
have their experience yet to acquire. The
consequence is that few old stagers
of secondary capacity, but Of long service in
Congress-enjoy the kind of eminence like
that conceded to 'the one-eyed king of the
blind"
The mistakes and bad judgment exhibited
on the republican side do not admit of the
same extenuation. The republican party has
so long had almost monopoly of public
positions that whatever talents it may com
prise have had the fullest opportunities for
training and recognition. 1t cannot lament
that hard political fate has condemned
its ''village Hampdens" to obscurity. 1t
has been able to bring them forward and
give them every chance to mature their abili-
ties by participation in public affairs. But
even with this great advantage the repub-
lican party does not make creditable ap-
pearance in the present Congress. It's lead
ers have shown abundant dexterity, brilliant
success in annoying and foiling their demo-
cratic opponents, for whom they are an over
match in parliamentary strategy, but none
of the solid judgment and moral elevation
which alone can inspire confidence.
The democratic majority, which is respon-
sible for the legislation Of the House, has
hardly done or proposed a wise thing since
the session opened. Its selection of a
Speaker was "a blunder, as was
proved by his appointment of the
committees and bestowing the leader
ship of the House on a member incom-
petent tor the position. The leader on the
talents a position conceded to him by the
consent of his party, and he has established
his capacity to lead, although he leads in
wrong direction. 1t was absurd to pick out
man of the extreme mediocrity of Mr.. Nor
rison to be pitted against Mr.. Blaine in the
management of the House. The consequence
is that in every parliamentary encounter the
democratic majority has been like an army
without general, and has lost the advantage
of it's superior numbers. When a small
force gains constant advantages over much
larger one it is a proof that the larger force
is badly led. Mr.. Morrison has not ventured
to present himself at all in any of
these sharp encounters as the antag
onist of Mr. Blaine. The figure he
makes is utterly insignificant he is
| like a cipher placed at the left hand of other
/ figures, filling out the row without any effect
on the value Mr.. Blaine, possessing
merely a conceded without any official title
to leadership, holds his party in hand and
keeps it pretty well united even against the
! Judgment of individual members, as in the
votes on the Amnesty BILL whereas the demo-
Gratis of the House are an aggregate of inco-
herent atoms, like q rope of sand. Mr. Nor
risons incapacity to lead is virtually acknowl-
edged by his own party, which has held
caucus to devise means for supplementing
his DEFICIENCIES and authorized Mr.. Lamar,
| the chairman of the caucus, to appoint
/ oo,,,D,,ttoa for tba Jay,Ocrofic ciJa
of the House and bringing it into some sort
| of discipline.
The tumble of crude financial bills which
have been introduced by different demo-
cratic members-one of them by Mr.. Nor
rison himself-is a signal illustration of the
way the party is houndering, like ship
without helm. If Mr.. Morrison had the
qualifications of leader he would not have
offered one of several ill-considered bills on
the most important subject which can en-
gage the attention of Congress, and leave it
to take its chance among the multitude of
similar waits His position required him to
keep out of this small scramble of distract
ing rival projects, and appear before the
House, when he should take up this great
| SUBJECT Win Dill 10 Wnlcn ne nau secureu
the consent of the leading members
of his own party and on which he
and they were prepared to fight q
united battle. 1t is not the part of q general
to run about as one of small squad of skir-
mishers or as the leader of scouting party,
but to select the general battle ground and
bring on an engagement only when he is
sure of being strongly supported by the
army he commands. Mr.. Morrison's cur
rency bill is merely one of rabble of
measures of the same kind, and receives no
more Difference than any of its fellows. The
| darnncratic rnninritr rasnnhles the fancifnl