The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-05-30
THE ISSUE OF THE HOUR.


Indeed it was never more clearly made
up. It is between the party of law and
order OF the one side, and the party Of
disorder on the other. The question
is, shall the Democratic party be grant
ed . new lease of power in the House
Of Representatives at Washington? It
is in its bearing on the peace and quiet
of the broad land that this question be-
comes Of the greatest Importance. If
Endorsed at the polls, that party will
proceed to consummate the highland
ed proceedings inaugurated by the
Potter resolutions, and nothing but a
rebuke through the ballot-boX will now
prevent it. a tE
The question needs only to be stated
to carry conviction in the mind Of eY-
cry intelligent voter. When the Elec-
toral Commission was constituted the
question was beset by
unprecedented difficulties The law
providing for the Commission received
the sanction Of both parties in the try
ing controversy. The decision was
made in strictcomplianceW with the law,
and was greeted with declarations of
JOY all over the land. The apprehend-
ed anarchy and violence were happily
avoided, and citizens turned with a
sense Of relief to their long neglected
affairs. The country has recently been
making rapid strides toward a condi-
ton Of renewed confidence and repOse.
But this, array Of facts, and this con
ditionof things, most gratifying to the
1aW-abiding citizen, failed to satisfy
Democratic Congressman. They had
failed to achieve anything On which to
reasonably ask renewal of their term.
The financial questions had practically
solved themselves udder the impetus
given by the Republican party when
it was in complete control Of the legis-
latiye and executive branches Of the
Government. The finances could not
therefore, be invoked to enable Demo-
cratic Congressman to mislead their
constituencies. They had struggled
piteously with petty details of manage
ment where they had complete con-
troll, showing their incapacity to man
age one branch of the legislature with
credit to themselves, to say nothing Of
their inability to assume management
Of the entire Government. There was
no installing the growth Of publlcI
opinion against them. There was mol
recourse left to them but to reopen the
Presidential question, and they have
done it with the determination to seize
with violence, if need be, the reins oil
on which they were fast
losing hold It is false, as it is foolish,
to say that the resolutions adopted by|
the House in pursuance of this de-
termination do not strike at the title
of the President. The Speaker. based
his decision on which they were
brought before the House on that
ground, and the resolutions themselves
the same end. 1t was
that alone which prompted them to|
the venture.
In taking this step they have revi-
we'd the anxieties that prevailed before
the Inauguration. They have disturb
ed the peace of the land, and the effect
must soon be felt on the business in
terests Of the country. And their pro-
posed onslaught upon the army will
but add to the unsettled future that is
before us, and furnishes additional
proof Of their want Of care for the
peace and quiet of the land.
The duty of the law-abiding and
peace-loying citizens is therefore plain.
He cannot consistently vote to return
the member whose .sylnpathies are en-
listed in this affair, OF who is co-opera-
ting, by vote or otherwise, in the move
ment, who has not, in unmistakable
terms, CONDEMNED it. IF he values the
security of his own freside, and would
look forward to the perpetuity Of our.
free institutions, and of the Govern
ment which has been preserved to us
at such countless cost Of blood and
treasure, his influence, whatever. it
may be, should be cast in favor Of bet
ter men, and Of a better party, a party
which has the law-abid1ng record Of
the Republican party. Republic.