The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-06-26
The Democratic Backdown.

The Democrats originated the
Potter committee, and inaugurated
che investigation to advance the IN
terests of the Democratic party. The
Democrats in Congress put them
selves on record as favoring the rev
dictionary programme marked out 10
the Potter resolution. The question
covered by this resolution was made
a party one, and the Democratic par
ty, as a party, was committed to the
line of action marked out. The step
was taken deliberately, and the ex-
pertinent was tried. The Importance
of the step as a political maneuver
must be measured by the results Of
the venture.
When the Potter resolution was
presented in the House, the Republi-
cans desired to amend so as to have
the resolution declare that no attack
on the Presidents title was intended.
They were not allowed to do this,
and all the other amendments look.
ing to a thorough investigation were
rejected. The Democratic resolution
was adopted as offered, and the in
vestigation was inaugurated on the
Democratic plan. Two weeks have
passed, and in wha: a plight does this
Democratic programme leave the
Democratic party!
The investigation Las proceeded
just as the Democratic managers in
sisted 1t should proceed. The Dem
ocrats have chosen their witnesses,
and have had access to all documents
and records. They have had their
own way about everything, and yet
they have failed to make a case. or
any show of one. This is the result
so far as the Republican party is
concerned. As to the Democratic
party, the experience of the last two
weeks leaves it in a most pitiable
plight.
1t opened the battle as the assail-
ant of the Republican party, choos-
ing its wi ground. In two weeks
it has been driven from every posi-
ton, and now stands on the defen.
sive. Denied the opportunity for
thorough investigation in the House,
the Republicans so managed as TO
secure the opportunity in the Sen
ate. Failing to secure an amend
ment to the Potter resolution declar-
ing that the Presidents title could
not be assailcd, the Republicans
struck in another direction, and Sc
cured the adoption of a resolution
much more sweeping in its declara-
tons.
Two weeks ago Democratic Con-
gressmen pledged themselves to a
policy that contemplated the unseat-
ing of the President. Last Friday,
outhauked and demorslized, they vo-
ted for q resolution that declares the
policy revolutionary. They went
further, and in ~disposing of the Blair
memorial declared that neither Con-
press, mol court, nor other tribunal
has power to reverse the declaration
that the President had been duly
elected.
At the opening of this brief cam
paign the Democrats had a united
majority in Congress; they had ia
ken position on the Presidential
question. in the reduction of the
army, and had entertained the Blair
resolution as to the illegality of the
election of President Hayes. At the
end, their majority is demoralized,
if not divided they have abandoned
their position on the Presidential
question, have backed down from
their aggressive stand for army re-
duction, and have repudiated the
revolutionary Blair resolution. All
this has been in the nature Of a re-
treat In the face Of an enemy.
Committed to one lire of action,
the Democrats in Congress have been
forced to take another, by Republic
an strategy on public opinion. They
have been out-manGuvred and fright
ened. and deserve little credit for
their votes on Burchard's resolution.
Given an opportunity by their ma
jority 10 Congress TO make their
point, they have abused it and lost
ground. In the language of General
they have filed the bucket
and kicked it over. They stand be-
fore people convicted Ct intent to
revolutionize. claiming credit because
hey were frightened and compelled
abandon their purpose. They
came before the country on a record
proved to be 80 repulsive to
he people that they had to eat their
and repudiate their own pro-
The worst enemies of the
party could not wish 1t
o be in q more pitiable plight than
I Is now.-Inter- Ocean