The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-11-21
DEMOCRATIC HEEDLEssNEss.

DEMOCRATIC HEEDLESsNESS.
Every nov AVID then Is made one Of those
demonstrations Of innocence, or fo.ly, or ins
dependence. which seem to justify the taunt
Of the Republicans that the Democrats do
not know how to improve victory, and al,
ways fai; when they have the opportunity
70 put their pr,nciplesiieto prsctice. a.
appears ine,itablsathat rsoms bls,ant foul,
or some impatient aspirant. Or some credu>
lous dupe will spring up inorportunely to
blast the best considered scheme or fal: into
same trap laid by astuie adsersaries 80 tLat
while enemies laugh at their Disconnected
foes, friends despond at the overthrow Of
their hopes, and accept disappointment as
the doomed concomitant Of their party des-
tiny.
At no time do asy Of these aggravating
hindrances TO good fortune seem 50 uDne-
cesssry and out Of place as at the present..
Step by step, the Republican party has been
beaten back and the Democratic control rs,
sured in the House Of Representatives.
Inch by inch has eneroachment been made
upon the majority Of that party IN the Sc
nate. until the overwhelming disparity has
been reduced to span. Discord has been
sown in the ranks Of the opposition until it
was ready to fall TO pieces from intes,ine
commotiou; and nothing seemed waiting 10
perfect Democratic ascendancy but the pa
tient abiding Of time and opportunity. did
not the indiscreet or the 'treacherous move
ments Of some Of its own body imperil the
consummation 40 nearly attained. What
is the force Of the obligation that impels
Mr.. Goode of Virginia snd Mr.. Ellis Of
Louisiana 70 come. forward TO the aid OF
Mr.. Hayes to the extent of ple9gng the
South TO his support. and standing sponsors
for the fidelity of the Southern people to
the favored points Of his administration
The South. il is true, is made happy be-
cause Mr.. Hayes has recognized bis consti,
tutional obligations, and given them peace
by enforcing laws already upon the statute
book and obligatory upon him as q sworn
officer under the laws. Does this compel
these gentlemen to go 50 far as TO say they
will not oppose such and such measures, be-
cause they vii: rot be agreeable to Mr..
Hayes, or because such opposition implies
want of confidence 10 him. We confess
surprise at such admissions, since abiding
want of confidence in a man holding Office
by such tenure is one of our strongest con-
victions. and because We believe that the
game yet to beplayei and finished between
Mr. Hayes and the Republican party viii
show.bat the former will be constrained
into submission to old party restraints.
Mr.. Goode aud Mr.. Ellis may be play
ing game Of their own. They may have
special ends to attain. last winters expe-
rience is full Of "reminiscences of great par.
~ good bartered away for local advantages.
But that lesson, with its tremendous couse-
quences Of q country cheated out Of its Pre-
sident. Of great party thrown back 10 its
grand march Of progress. Of . people stayed
in lis return to prosperity, ought to ring IN
the ears Of the eo-sdjutofs Of those gentle
men and enforce the reminder that country
is greater than party. and that even party
i greater than individual preferment.
The Democratic party has still TO learn
that il was not attained that security ofcop-
quest which justi6os carelessnesS or wrsDg-
ling over the spoil. It's labors 80 far have
been those Of Sysiphus. The stone has reach
ed the top Of the height only to roll back
into the valley again. Will its Own friends
be those who will cause the renewal Of its
tolls! Yet Mr.. Goode and Mr. Ellis and
their Ike Vs. their III considered tenderness
for NJ. IIsyes do as much 70 delay Il. and
compel . repetition Of It's struggles as The
most strenuous opposition Of avOwed enc
mics.
We have no upressohing opposition to
Dir. Hayes. We have . certain feeling Of
gratitude Coz the peace tina. % far has at
tended bis administration through bis uBex.
pected observance Of constitutional obligs-
tiohs. Yet. We do not regsrG him as our
leader. We DO not snd him the exponent Of
the other great principles which distinguish
cd the Democratic from the Republican
party and finding hum adhering to the par
~ Of which be vas the candidate 10 90