The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-08-17
Democrats in a Dilemma.

Democrats in a Dilemma.
There never has been, in the history of this
country, a party organization that was so ut
tcrly devoid Of practical governmental policy
and principle, as the modern democratic PARTY.
The Presidential campaign is being conducted.
so far as they are concerned upon sllams and
eSpedients, and appeals to the passions of the
people without reference to any substantial
good to cnufc to the country
The most striking attestation of the reckless
disregard of consistency and assumption of TO-
norance, was given in Congress on Thursday
last. The managers OF Tilden's campaign in
New York, feeling the great disadvantage the
Democracy was laboring under in consequence
OF the political discussions in the Senate of last
week, prepared preamble and resolution re-
citing that the right of suffrage prescribed by
the Constitution of the several States is subject
to the Fifteenth Amendment and that the ex-
ercise of said right should be faithfully main
tanned and observed by the United States, and
that it is asserted that the exercise of said
right is, in some States, Notwithstanding the
efforts of good citizens, controlled by fraud, in
tlmidation and violence, so that the object of
the Fifteenth Amendment is defeated. and
that all citizens, without distinction of race or
color, are entitled to the rights conferred by
said amendment; and declaring that all at
tempts by force, fraud, terror, intimidation or
otherwise to prevent free exercise of the right
OF suffrage, should meet with certain condign
and cflcctual punishment; and that in any case
which has hnrnfOforn
ter occur, in Which violence or murder has
been or shall be committed by one race or class
upon another, prompt punishment of the crimi-
nal or criminals is imperatively demanded.
whether the crime be one punishable by fine
or imprisonment, or one demanding the pun
lshment Of death. The vote was then taken
on the preamble, which was agreed to--yeas
l24, yeas 81.
There was a good deal of political excite
ment displayed over the resolution. and al
though Mr.. Lord said that he had offered it af
ter consultation with many Southern members.
IL was quite manifest that there was u serious
question as to the good policy of the move in
the minds OF many of the Democratic members
The Republicans supported it as heartily as if
iC had been moved by one from their own
ranks. The delay in reaching a final vote
upon it was caused by the fact that mapy
Democrats withheld their votes on some of the
preliminary motions, thus revealing the ap-
parent absence of Il quorum and neccsstatino
two calls OF the House. In the meantime Mr..
Aord tfied 70 get an opportunity to explain his
purpose in offering the resolution. but obiec-
lions were made from his own side of the
House, Mr.. Hereford, Of West Virginia. BEING
conspicuous in the declaration that no explana-
ton was wanted. At last The previous oucs-
ton was seconded and the main question or
dered by yeas 1873, nays Is, only one more
than quorum. Then demand for the yeas
and nays Oh the resolution was made and sun-
ported from the Republican side, and the reso-
luton was adopted-l74 to 2-Bland. of Mis-.
souri,, and Reagan, of Texas. On agreeing to
the preamble twenty-five Democrats voted no
The Washington correspondent Of the Bali
more American gives the following interesting
particulars OF the dilemma in which the Demo- |
Gratis were placed by the introduction of the
resolution:
, Ine e democrats behaved badly in the House to-
anti
leader 1t appears that Hon. Scott Lord Of N Ne |
ork, received resolution from New York 1irect |
Iorth in weighty preamble that whichever ont
RACES occurred in the South it should he The bonr
guilty party or parties and visit upon them sncb
;ondgn punishment their acts merited even ~
nave the House give by the adoption II the nream
DE and resolution an expression to the countrv that
wanted disturbers of the peace during a noliticai
.anVass apprehended, arraigned and punished The
errible excoriation the Democratic Marty has ,e
elyed in the Senate for the past week in the nanaro
,ord wished to arrogae to himself ali the glory Of
long his masters bidding and failed to nofifJ his
After its reading it created considerable snrprise on
ne Republican side, but no objection was made to 70
,Ious question on ordering the main auestiomp le
Read the resolution over again cried n dozen |
object to its consideration and the Democrat ts
we're lett IN the perpeNing situation of voting for If
hey tacitly admitted that oltrages eyisted 1t on
Dung against it they would give an expression tbof
fder and murder in the South. The vote on ordar
ng the main question demanded by roll call
id not relish the situation They refused to vnt
ma M the House was left without an apparent QUO
MEMBERS responded to their names deve1onin
quorum orr was IN the House. All proceedings Under
nd nay vote had. Again did the ' Heoe ~ yea
6 6a, 10 voIe, and in the meantime score of
ouuuCu LOfu, DeSeoching him to with |
raw the resolution. The second cali Of the Hom
eHen0pea quorum, and third vote was taken on
rdefing the main question. The Democrats real
,ns 5 mi IL was within the of the Repub
ans 10 FORCE them to vote at some stage az The +
es sne before final adjournment and enough of
1enl Vo!ed TO order the main question Rland ~ :
Lissour and Reagan, the ex-Postmaster Genar1 Of Of
ne I, Conlederacy, were the only Democrats who had
ne nerve TO vote mo- After the main ouestion i
f eeen Grdered MI Cymer demanded division
no resolution 81 The opponents Of the bin first in
ent 10 lp %1s Se fesoluIlon prescribing punish
ie pfe s which admitted that there were law
s 81 Mhlle the vote was being taken on
Re which was adopted became osed
m and strangely enough the Democrats s's sWai
lie preamble also. - W ''uopteo
~ drs me t n5lbusterng over the matter, Mr.
~, ~ asked Ine House to give him unanimous CON
a5 {. sid explain the subject on the Repub
;an slae Sad, WELL We don't object" Mr Here
I'd OF West Virginia, said for the Demonr,ts
we en-, we 40 we don't want any explanation, The
are considerably incensed at the course
r. nord 5ook and not few of them are willing to
lmlt to-day was bad one for the party.
Message from the President,