Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-15
11BsENT CONG REssMEN.

For ten days the factious Republican
minority of the House Of Congress has been
able to prevent the passage of Mr.. Potter's
resolution of inquiry into the election
frauds of Florida and Louisiana, because
about forty-fve Democrats have been absent
from their seats, thus reducing the Demo-
cratic majority to less than quorum of
the House. This is not the first occasion on
which an important party movement has
been endangered by Democratic Representa-
tives absenting themselves, and this seems
proper time to learn what sort of Democrats
they are who would thus defeat the party
and deny the whole country it's common
wish to have laid bare all the enormity of
the frauds through which Rutherford B.
Hayes was made President contrary
to the majority will of the people
and in violation of the constitutional rights
Of the States If they are simply absorbed
in private business, OF Indifferent to the vel
fare of the party and the country, or schem-
ing to build up this man or pull down that
man rather than to maintain party interests
then they are unfit to represent Democratic
constituencies.
While we would not ask Democrats in Con-
gress to initiate the extremes of partyism
which were exhibited by their opponents
few years ago, we do say that they should be
equally with them self-sacrifcing and STEADY
in their subordination to reasonable party
rule. It is true that Democratic interests do
not require the constant discourtesy and the
frequent violations of law and infractions of
the constitution which have characterized the
Republican party in Congress; but it is also
true that the situation of our party and the
interests of the country alike require that
the Democratic lines in Congress shall be
left unbroken. It is time of contest when
struggling is desertion, and desertion earns
its severest penalties.
What if this proposed investigation NAV
seem to tend to help or hurt the chances in
the future of Mr.. Tilden, Mr. Hendricks.
Mr.. Thurman, or anybody else? Are there
protested Democrats in Congress who have
strayed SO far from the Democratic faith
! that they do not trust the voters of the
P"A0 ''AAao tAey Gall Imagine GlaG the tour
millions of intelligent voters who have stood
by Democratic principles through years of
severe test can be fooled by tricks of poll
ticians into making an unwise choice of
their next candidate for President? If there
are such men, let them be retired at the first
opportunity. Those who do not trust the
people, the people had better not trust.
This proposed investigation must 90 for
ward. The great fraud must be made SO
odious that it will stand as e warning for the
future. The men who committed it must
be pilloried in history that those who come
after them for all time may read that great
crimes against the people, however success
full they may be in their temporary purpose,
cannot be sheltered from the punishments
they deserve. If there are pretended Demo
Gratis who, for any reason, would protect the
great fraud from exposure let them be de.
nounced and known for what thew are
traitors to the party and hostile to the rights
and will of the honest voters of the land.