New-York tribune., 1876-01-19

|
Of them voted for the resolution, thereby
avOwing their desire to repudiate the pledge
Of resumption Internationally. Only 80 OF
them voted against the resolution and some
of these, like Mr.. Wood, did so only because
they desired the passage OF other
measures hostile to the policy OF
resumption; some, no doubt, because
they did not wish to instruct the Committee;
and others, like Messrs. Payne and Morrison,
because they want to secure, in connection
with the repeal of the Resumption act, some
measure which they can represent to hard
money constituents as measure OF resuinp-
| ton. Nearly two-thirds OF the Democratic
members voting, however, placed themselves
on record for initiation and unconditional re-
peal of formal pledge Of the Government.
Only six Republicans and three Independents
voted with the Democratic repudiationists. Six
Independents and 93 Republicans voted against
the resolution. Do the Democrats fancy that
this contrast will help them next Fallf Less
than 40 per cent of the Democratic members, and
more than 90 per cent of the Republican men,
bers, appear from this vote to be disposed to
defend and maintain formal pledges OF the
United States If The statement Is to Demo-
Gratis an unpleasant one, it is the one which
their own representatives have chosen to make.
Now let lis consider the predicament of the
hard money Democrats. They are In
minority in their own party. But with the
Republicans and Independents they probably
form majority of the House. If they yield
to their party associates, they havo sense
enough to see that the result will be over
wheming defeat next November. Democracy
cannot carry any bill for repeal of the Resump-
ton act if for no other reason, because the
Republican majority in the Senate, or the veto
of Republican President and the votes OF the
Republicans in tho Senate and House, will
block the way. The most and the worst they
can do is to make that issue between
the two parties still more sharp and distinct,
and then 20 before the country to be whipped
by an adverse majority Of one hundred thou
sand i'm the State of New-YOrk in November.
Without tho vote of New-York the election OF
a Democratic President is an Imp0ssiblllty. If
the hard-moncy Democrats do nothing, the
result is still fatal Their party has made its
record In the absence of any other, that
record will determine the action of voters, and
as it stands no man who cares for the public
honor can feel that it is safe in the hands of
the DcmOcGdllC party HIS ulStIuHt, SPiiHSh6
no longer from mere partisan dislike resting
10 longer upon the action of the party in
few States, but justified by the formal votes
Of nearly two thirds of the Democratic Repre-
sentatives, will suffice to insure the defeat OF
the Democrats unless the Republicans throw
away their opportunity.
One thing remains, and one thing only can
extricate the hard-mOney Democrats from
their prcdicamcnt. We pointed it out to them
Immediately after the election last November.
Perhaps some of them now see that the ad-
vice then given was wise. They may lie able
to settle this financial question by joining
with the Republicans and independents 'and
passing n measure embodying the plan
of resumption recommended by Secre-
tary Brstow and approved by the Pres
ident. With the support Of the hard-money
Democrats, and with the power over the floor
which control of the important committees
gives them, such bill might possibly be
passed. There is no other escape for the hard !
-Ir--,- DvuuUrdt; ne IL Compeied 10 JOIN WIN |
the Republicans in putting this question ont
of the way. or he will get beaten by it. We
have not much expectation that he will do
anything so sensible. But there Is his only
avenue of escape.