The daily gazette., 1876-08-02
For the Gazette. '.''
Are We Not Here az EquaIs2"

tor The Gazette.
Are We Not Here as EquaIs2"
TO THE PUBLIC, woRKINGMEN BsPECI~
ALLY-DEMocRATrC REFORM, mo
IDLE BOAST" q aN
A foreigner, coaversant, with our
peculiar systems and institutions, with
even an imperfect knowledge of the
''true inwardness" of the social and
political situation would read with
either wonder or derision the recent
debates in our American Congress-
rision IN the foreigner, would excite
disgust or extreme contempt in the
plain but thoughtful and impartial
American citizen. And why?
We will not presume to strengthen
the assertions of extreme partisans that
either side seeks to make political ca"
pital. 1t is to be very much regretted
that men presumably the Representa-.
tives of the people. in the Z. s. Senate
should so detract from the dignity and
responsibility of their position, as to
interrupt or prevent the discussion of
great public questions and measures,
to indulge in personal or party attacks
as was occasioned in the debate of
Tuesday last especially and in the pro-
ceedings generally.
Can this be continued without in
flicting great injury to the public at
barge? Is it not blow at the theory of
government itself? Can the animal or
plant survive that is pierced to the
heart, whose vitals are torn and rended,
whose life blood is oozing from every
vein, whose entire system is deran-
ged?
Shall the American Senate degrade
itself, stoop from the dignity attain
edin the days of the giants when pub
lie measures were discussed with frcel
dom, when Senator could express
his sentiments, views and opinions, and
those of his constituents without fear
of being maligned or libeled as trai.
tor or condemed as villain or scoun-
drel for making mistakes or for &C
tions over which they, perhaps, had no
control. Shall the order and decorum
which formerly prevailed at the chair.
mans command give place to the con-
fusion of the French General Assembly
where quiet can only be secured by
an informal dismissal of the session.
Shall our Senate be divided into the
Right and Left centres, and legislate
for party or personal interests alone,
without consideration of the public
good?
In the discussion of Tuesday how
often was Senator Merrimon, of N. c.,
interrupted by others while defending
Reform instituted by the House of
Representatives especially by Morton
and Sherman, acknowledged leaders of
the Republican party! And well did
the Democratic Senator maintain the
dignity of the position when he asked
"Are we not here as equals?"
Besides this, there are other views,
apparent, not only to those who close.
ly scrutenize the actions of our public
men but to the casual observer. And
many of the words of prominent
Senator (Morton) will appear espe1
cially so, to that large class of work.
ingmen who are now clamoring for,
and demanding relief and assistance,
who ere at last forced to acknowledge
that the primary cause of their distress
is the misgovernment and mismanage-
ment of the dominant Republican
party. Nor will they be ready to en-
dorse the views of Senator Morton
who declares that "the Republican
rarty is the only party that can be
trusted with Reform" but with just
indignation will repudiate it an tote.-
For have We not had Republican
reform these long and weary years?
Shall not each workingman think and
act for himself? Let him do so, let
him fell that 81 am man." Let him
compare his condition to day, with
the condition of the non producing
classes, see the vast difference, and
verify the statements of Reformers of
all kinds.
He can then sympathize with the
Reform and Retrenchment element of
Congress and support them in their
efforts to reduce the large army of
officeholders who eat up such large
share of the produce of the laboring
classes of all kinds, which has created
a privileged class that scorns associa =
tion or affliotion with the more numer-
Gus producing ones!! Is this right?
Let every workingman with noble re-
serve and just indignation, ask "Are
we not here as equals?"
In the main the prosperity and hap
piness of people depend upon the
system of government. In Monarchies
and aristocracies, widely separated
classes necessarily exist as the founda.
tions of such governments; but We
profess to be nation of free men ems
ioying equal rights. Let us maintain
Cur rights then by voting for them
wherever or whenever an opportunity
presents and teach the Republican
marty CrinDled with ACE and sor,nnfiou
that it can no longer be trusted. This
can be done this fall by earnestly sup
porting the Reform ticket, being as
sured from past experience, that De-
inocratic Reform is mo idle boast"
Workingmen to qcork!
J. A. WHITELOCK.
ew Castle, Del, July %, 1876.