New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-17
CHEMICALLY UNHAPPY.

fDHONIC1LL1 tNHHI l.
INSPECTION of many Democratic platforms
adopted since March last warrants the con-
clusion that the old distinction between parties
still prevails. 1t was said years ago, with n
great deal OF truth, that the Democratic party
differed from others mainly i'll having eyes III
the hack of its head. Unable to see anything
in front of itself, going through the world
blindly, smashing itself against all sorts OF OBJ
stacles denied prescience OF the future or com
prehension of the present, the democratic
marty existed as an ill-tempered unavalllng
stubborn and stupid protest against the past.
Often its criticism of bygone events was SEN
siblc. often senScleSs; occasionally IT was
right. but more often wrong, IN regard 10
events of the present or future; but Its prin-
cipal and distinguishing function III life was
to find fault because the dOings of yesterday
had not been to its satisfaction. Chronic OPP
position to everything new or useful or prac-
tical; chronic unhappiness about every step
forward. and every effort for the improve
ment of the country or the race; these
were the qualities which made the Demo-
cratic party well known as the brake on
the car of human progress At present
Democracy is wretched because the Presl-
Dental election was settled by legal ana
peacefnl means, and did not disgrace self
government by anarchy or deluge the land
with blood
According to Democratic platforms, Mr.
HAYES was not elected, and his Inauguration
was the monumental fraud of the country, and
every Democrat ought to sit back on his
launches and howl about it for a century to
come. On the whole, the American people
have some practical common sense, and they
are not much inclined to waste time in asking
whether this howl is with or without reason
During the Presidential election, the Demo
cratic managers did what they could, by far
means or foul, to secure a majority of Electoral
votes and it is not now matter of doubt
that they secured some by most brutal, cruel,
unlawful and revolutionary means. Yet there
was grave doubt as to the result. Bad the
decision been left to the competent authority,
no one believes that it would have been favor
able to Democratic pretensions and the
Democrats therefore demanded an eXtFaOrdI-
nary and extra-constitutional tribunal for the
settlement of the disputed questions. Some
Republicans thought it wise to humor them I;
others objected that there would be as
loud and as long a howl raised by Democrats
if the disputed questions should be settled by
anv tribunal conceivable, as if those questions
should be settled by the Nice-President OF the
Senate. The spirit of compromise prevailed,
however. The tribunal demanded by Demo-
Gratis was created, and its decision is now I'M
disputed III law or in fact. But Democratic
conventions solemnly call upon Democratic
voters to lie back and howl because the de-
cision of the tribunal of their own creating
was not in their favor.
Meanwhile the Republican party is paying
attention, sometimes wisely and sometimes UNI
wisely, to the living questions of the present
and future. 1t is not always wise, but it Is
never and nowhere 50 incOmparably stupid, so
inexpressiby idiotic, so phenOmenally con
temptible and ridiculous, as TO carry its eyes
in the back Of It's head. 1t wastes no breath
in growing about past defeats; its better ele-
ments waste more i'll Boosting about past vie
tories Especially, it is nowhere SO absurd as to
whine or howl about the unsatisfactory decision
of a tribunal created at its own demand The
Democratic party has monopoly OF that cX-
IRENE stupidity and its place in American
history is fixed once more by the contempt
which practical men feel for its behavior.
Business prays for relief. Capital and la0or
struggle Justice joins issue, foot to foot, with
repudiation. The whole land cries for meas
ues of practical benefit to trade and industry
But the Democratic politician sits himself
down and bowls because IA tribunal of his own
creating did not decide according TO his wish.
i ------------------