Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-10-12
DEMOCRACY ANn nRcPHrY.

A portion Of the Democratic press Of In
diana have been suddenly thrown into
great excitement, by an unexpected act Of
ordinary courtesy on the part Of Senator
Mcdonald, Of that State. This act con-
sisted in the voluntary proposition Of that
gentleman, on his recent visit to Senator
Morton, that should the latter 90 far recov.
er as to be able to go to Washington he (Mc.
Donald) would relieve him from the labors
Of daily attendance by pairing with him
II. on questions on which they might be nj
variance.
This appears to be very proper thing
for Mr.. Mcdonald to do, since il Is only
what has been done since the foundation Of
the Government. There probably could
not be found days record Of Congress,
within 40 days, in which members of dis.
agreeing views, and chiefly Of opposing
parlies- did not "pair off," for the accom-
modation Of those absent for business or
personal reasons. The consideration Of
sickness, or other physical necessity, has
always been regarded az conclusive
ground for this practice. We venture to
say. that the case is not known in which n
member OF either House present at WASH
ingi0n was denied "pair." II may have
been that particular individuals may have
held TO each other personal relation which
prevented the exchange OF such courtesy
but the rule has always been SO uniform
that what one member did not do, another
IL u. l.,
particularly between colleagues from the
same State, without regard to political re-
lations. The prOpriety of such usage must
he apparent to every one, and not the least
Of it's bcncGts - its tendency to create and
preserve, among opposing partizans, de-
gree of etiquette aud kindly pcrsonal feel
ing very important in the public service.
The indianapolis Sentinel has taken upon
itself to read Mr. Mcdonald some lectures
on parlizan obligations, aud TO warn him
against permitting his sense of common de-
cency and uniform practice to carry him
too iar. In protesting against the gentle
man's purpose, it reminds him that "the
situation Of the country is critical " - that
"the Democracy of the country has laborcd
with untiring devotion for many years TO
reduce the Radical majority in the Senate
of the United States" - that "the Demo-
cratic party has watched with intense so.
icitude the steady disappearance Of Radio
al Senators, and with honest pride has
exulted as the day of the complete over
throw OF the Radical majority in the Sen.
ate approaches" &C., &c. Under such a
state of things, the Sentinel SAYS tho Indi.
ana Democracy is profoundly and pain
fully impressed" with the apprehension
that "the ful6llment OF the great and glo-
rious purposes that have animated the
Democratic party" political supremacy
in Congress -"is in danger of being 5e.
layed" by Mr.. McDonald's action.
What does all this stuff amount to but
this that there is a prospect that the
Democratic minority in the Senate, taking
advantage OF the sickness of Republican
member, may be able to seize control Of
that body; and that no practice, usage or
sense of common decency should be per-
mitted to interfere with such sheme No
pretense is made of public interests in this
case, but partizan advantage solely. The
democratic party"-th the Dem ocratic
organization"- and it's "grent and glorious
purposes" are all that is recognized RS in
volved in the case. There probably has
never been cnse in which the same
wretched plea of advantage to be gained
by refusing "pair," could not have been
made, and its employment here betrays a
degree OF miserable blindness, disci editable
to the bigots who resort to it.-1oiedo Com.