National Republican., 1877-11-26

be done under the favorable ruling of the
Nicc-Prcsidcnt, recognizing that question
as one of higher privilege.
Should he so rule, then it Is moro than
probable that an appeal will b. taken, and
then Mcssrs. PATTERSON and CoNovER will
have an opportunity to show their dctcrmi-
nations as to which side they will take in
their future action. The Democrats have
so much confidence in the full and complete
capture of these Senators that they will
move on in the belief that their power over
the Senate is fixed fact. II is highly
probable, under the present indications,
that the chair will be overruled. The
committee are ready with their report,
should matters take favorable turn.
An effort will also be made TO have SEN
ator CAMERON, of Wisconsin, report the re-
suit of the investigations of his committee
into the affairs of South Carolina. 1t is
foreshadowed that this report is based upon
proofs that are very damaging TO the char
acter of BUTLER who is now waiting ad-
mission to a Seat in the Senate. The facts
gathered by this committee are such that
when known to the country they would
show the seating of BUTLER to be
an outrage that cannot be defended. The
Democrats hope to avoid the damaging
effects of this report, but it cannot be done
except by the aid of these rccalcitrant SEN
ators. Whether they will lend themselves
for such purpose their action alone can
determine. Confidence has been so severely
shaken by their former course that no one
will be surprised by their action let it be
what it may. We are reluctant, however,
to think that they are prepared to go be-
yond the point they have indicated
in the declaration of purpose to
vote in favor of seating BUTLER
when that question comes before the Senate.
1t remains for Senators PATTERSON and
CoNovER to stand with the Republicans
in their efforts TO seat Mr. KELLOGG, and to
present to the country the facts connected
with South Carolina affairs that are slum-
bcring in the unpublished report of Mr.. CAM
ERoN's committee, or to go over to the other
side at once and render the disaster conf
plete. OF course VIC have no knowledge Of
terms of the coalition formed between these
Senators and the Democrats in the Senate be-
yond what is admitted by themselves. This
admission is only to the extent that they have
pledged their votes to BUTLER, and they
propose to make their pledge good. If this
be all, then they can without improperly
vote with the Republicans upon all antece-
dent questions that may arise before that of
admitting BUTLER is brought squarely be-
fore the Senate. However, as this drama
uniolds its acts and incidents the public
will be advised a the length and breadth
of the pcrfidy involved.
The Republican side of the Senate is un-
der severe trial of patience and endurance.
They stand between the Union and Consti-
tuition and its enemies, with the waters Of
trcachery gradually rising around them to
embarass and cripple their efforts. But
they must stand firmly and resolutcly by
the right, trusting an Overruling Power to
give them wisdom and direction in
the way out of tho difficulties and dan
gers that environ them. The battle must
be fought on the ground selected by the
enemy, but it must be contested with the
valor of 1861 and 1865, without shrinking
from the perils or the consequences involved.
If it shall turn out that Republican ma
iority in the Senate has been betrayed and
given away, then let the responsibility of
such calamity fall upon the devoted heads
of those who stand as the architects of the
ruin that has been accomplished.