New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-30
say by VINO

One Of the best speeches on the Democratic
side in the recent debate was delivered IN the
House of Representatives on Friday by Mr.
Henry Watterson. 1t WAS quite unlike his
famous speech of the hundred thousand on the
9TH Of January. 1t was temperate, it WAS in
tcresting, and it contained many striking pas
s,ges upon which Democrats and Republicans
alike might have meditated with profit. We
need hardly say that Mr.. Wattegson was finn
believer in the cOnstitutionality OF the Com
promise. lie confessed that he did not like it,,
but for want of better way out OF the
difficulty he was eager for its adoption. 4" 1t
may not he true,' said he, that we
"sland upon the brink of civil WIZ, bat
cit is true that grave dangers stare us
u in the face, threatening every public and
"private interest ! wish to invcigh against
ono party. to abuse nobody but that we'll
organized conspiracy exists to put Press
"dent in the White House who in my judy
"ment was not elected by the people, do not
"doubt" We quote these words not because
we believe that there was good ground for Mr..
Wattcrson's fears, or reason for his suspicious.
but because they undoubtedly express the
honest sentiments of q great many Southern
Democrats imperiectly acquainted with Demo-
cratic campaign secrets. Dreading this very
cxigency, Mr.. Watterson tells us that I" from
the first he urged upon his political associates
"proper agitation as to the danger, so that the
public opinion of the time might be fully
"advised, and, beng advised, might organize
"itself to avert it," But he admits that " the
" time has gone by when the people at large
"could act effectively for themselves" And
SO he welcomes the Compromise rs The best
practicable device to bring us, without dis
"honOr. that repose of which, of all things,
" the country stands most in need"
a conviction that tic country needs "repOse"
has probably been the most powerful consider
alton in winning over to the committees plan
80 great majority of the people of the United
States. There Las been very little examination
of the constitutional questions involved in it,,
and very little inquiry into its ultimate natural
consequences Business men, and indeed all
classes of Americans except u few political
leaders, have been more anxious for rest
than for the proper settlement Of any problems
of state. They dread nothing so much az the
long period of disturbance and uncertainty
which Mr.. WattcrsOn predicted as sure to re-
suit from a disagreement between the two
houses of Congress. "ThcD follows" said he,
either civil war or case in law, but, n5 mattcr
(Which, continuous suspense, connection, and
" discomfort If it Is tho dread of these evils
which has driven people to the support of the
Compromise, the same fear will teach them to
abide by its judgment, however that may clash
with their interests and convictions. There
should be 10 debate after the verdict. The
decision of the Commission shond not
only settle the question of the Presidency
but put stop to all dispute over the election.
The Senate caucus yesterday was unwise to
quarrel about the meaning Of the committees