New-York tribune., 1876-01-18

When THE TRIBUNE in IemaTklng, Some
weeks ago upon tho difficulties III the way ol
the Democratic majority i'll the House OF kep-
rosentotives. directed attention to the fact
that the Democrats had been for fiji
teen years III a minority, ana so WIFI
ont any experience in management, OF
ony of tho responsibilities OF power, II dla
not occur to us that they would SO soon' OF III
such lamentable fashion, demonstrate their
weakness from this cause But the truth Is
thew have thus far i'll the session done
nothing but founder about in the most
belnless manner without accomplishing
ANYTHING except to aid the oppoSl-
the part of the public to give him credit for
whatever was wise and not to judge hastily
the rest, but wait until time should disclose
the fitness or unftness Of his selections. Mr..
MoTiSon, from his position at the head of
Ways and Means, is nominally the leader Of his
party in the House. 1t is quite clear by this
time that he is not the leader and pretty GER
tain that he never can be. Mr.. Fernando Wood
began the series OF blunders which have char.
acterized the action of the majority thus far
when he made the abortive attempt to
open the Louisiana business. That Mr.. Ran
through the amnesty debate is plain enough to
any one who has read the proceedings of Con-
gress the past week Mr. Hill of Georgia, upon
the confessions of his own party leaders and
by the unanimous voice of the Democratic
press, damaged his party to an extent
that from the present Quito ok seems
irreparable. Mr.. Cox came nearest being wise
in his lively rejoinder to Blaine in the first
days debate, but upset it all aftorward by
too much Of what Mr. Lincoln used 20 call
"inteTuptiousncss" and by descending to bad
language and undignifcd behavior. There
has been in short, on the part of the
Democratic majority, not only an amazing lack
of craftsmanship and an utter inability to ap-
prehend their own opportunity, but gross
ignorance OF parliamentary tactics and dull
and stupid incapacity for management that
have left them constantly at the mercy of their
opponents.
On the other hand, the Republicans, if they
have not shown any real craftsmanship, have
at least exhibited the quiciness and skill, the
fertility Of resource and adroitness of move
ment that come Of long experience; Of ex-
perience not merely as members Of legisla-
tive body but as members of the dominant
party, having on their shoulders the response
bility of legislation. Whatever We may
think Of Mr. Blaine as statesman,
or of his sincerity in the movement
he was so conspicuous in to make Mr..
Jefferson Davis an exception in the granting
of universal amnesty, we can hardly withhold
admiration for the alertness and deYterity with |
which he has so many times met and defeated |
his adversaries, the daring ingenuity of his |
feints and maneuvers, and the brilliant au-
lacity of his attacks. 1t has not been grand |
strategy by any means, but it has at least been |
4 very pretty and sometimes bewildering dis |
play of tactics. The Republican leader has not |
shown the qualities of great General, but |
he demonstration of last week must give
lin high rank as parliamentary tacti-
ian . party leader in the snarl and
angle of Congressional debate but people
Who think twice before they give an opinion
will see in the brilliant qualities he has ex-
bited in this capacity something that is not
o bo desired, and that would not be especially
ecoming in President of the United States.
SACK of Mr.. Blaine the Republican mi
ority has shown the steadiness Of vet
rams. They have fallen in with great
and obeyed him as their leader.
We do not speak of this as showing any merit
xcept from partisan point of view It
ONES OF training; of tho education derived
rom power; Of the discipline and drill With