The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-10-23
TIE "PEACE POLICY" IN CON-
GRESS


The quiet and orderly manner in
which the new Congress has Assem- bled
and been organized augurs we'll for the
good OF the country. The time has not
yetarriVed for fully setting its machinery
in motion for active legislation under
the new organization. The adYices re-
ceiVed from Washington 60 to show,
however, that the political elements are
ut work in such manner as TO indicate
the general direction which party move
ments are likely to take. From these
indications it is manifest that what it
called the "Peace Policy" is to become
q prominent feature in Congress ssional
manipulations. We do not presume
that 1t will be made the subject OF any
great degree Of positive leg Station; be-
cause, OF that it is scarcely susceptible.
1t Will, nevertheless, be the topic Of
much disQuisition as affecting the imme-
diate future OF party relations.
The questions relating TO this policy
have all originated since the inaugura-
Lion Of the Hayes Administration. The
Republicans have suffered themselves
to be divided on these questions; while
the Democrats have claimed that the
policy, though inaugurated by Repub.
lican Administration, is virtually an
adoption of Democratic doctrine on the
subject to which it relates. 1t probably
matters very little as to which party
this policy originated with. The hematLer
Dt the greater moment is, as to the bear
Ing of this policy, not upon political par
ties, but upon national interests and
The public welfare. And it is in this
light only that we now propose to con-
slder it.
From the attitude in which the sub
lect now stands, its consideration can
not be conducted without reference to
party attitudes in relation thereto. Ac-
cordingly, it appears, from our most
recent advices, that the Democrats in
Congress have concluded to make al
early demons tratiOn OIL the subject. To
this end they propose, as we learn, to
present well considered resolution in
both Houses Of Congress, declaratory OF
The Democratic doctrine on this subject;
and endorsing the course pursued by
the President as being in conformity
with this Democratic doctrine.
The ultimate purpose had in view by
the early presentation OF such resolu-
tion is not at all ambiguous. The i'm
mediate effect must be to "smoke out'
The disatfected Republicans by com.
pelling them TO take sides on the record.
Of course this record is intended, not
30 much to sustain the Hayes Admins |
tration as for future use in the next |
Presidential campaign, and with two |
SPECIFIC aims in view: First, to keep |
bhe South solid in the Democratic line
by giving them this early assurance OIL
Democratic sympathy and support il
this line OF policy as a part of Demo-
cratic doctrine; second, to widen the
preach already made in the Republican
ranks on this question and thereby
overcome the Republican strength in
the North. Both of these aims unite in
che ultimate purpose Of securing a
Democratic President in 1880, Ger.
lainly all this is good tactics. 1t will
'ompel Republicans to face the music,
or the next campaign, and they
sughg TO.
should The Republicans in Congress
Vote unanimously for the resolution, so