New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-19
TIE nEM0cRATLc HOrSE.


The first reflection of AL sensible persons,
upon the adjournment Of Congress, will be that
this country cannot afford to elect such an
other House Of Representatives. The Senate
has behaved badly enough. But when We re-
call the outrageous measures which the House
has passed, and which have been stopped or
amended in the Senate by greater patriotism,
calmer sense, better practical information, or
superior independence of local or temporary
camOr, we feel profoundly thankful to that
body. 1t has done much mischief, and per-
mitted much, but has prevented a vast deal
more. Tire House must be Judged by its votes,
and not by the character of bills finally
passed. A. calm and candid review of its per
formances, when the roar Of crazy demagOgues
and jobbers has died away, VIII show that no
House of Representatives since the indcpend-
ence OF this country was declared has been as
reckless of the public honor, as dangerous to
the pablo peace and prosperity, as servile in
pandering to the passions and prejudlces Of
the most ignorant classes, as regardless Of the
necessities of business and industry, and as in
competent to perform iutelligenuy even the
mere routine duties of legislation, as the House
which blessed the country by adjourning yes
terday.
Never such House again, as long as the
" Republic, endures" That ought to he the
firm resolve Of every patriotic citizen. 1t will
be the first purpose of intelligent voters OF
both parties. But presently other motives
wll:come. Partisanship will be aroused. Per
sonal and local interests will be employed to
secure the denomination Of unworthy members;
party spirit will be kindled to secure their
success. SOphistTy will be employed to palli-
ate crimes. ingenious excuses will be made
for wretched blundcrs Responsibility for out
TageOus incOmpetenCy and disregard Of public
interests will be cast upon others. Such
another House will probably be elected
another as madly partisan, as dishOnOrable in
finance, as shameless in jObbery, as reckless
in demagogism, and rs incompetent in dealing
with business Invertebrates the better class
of voters, irrespective of party, now resolves
irreyOcably to punish the men who have so
disturbed and disgraced the country. There
is but one way to force a party to behave
decently, and that is TO punish it stern ly for
misdeeds.
This has been peculiarly and cOnspicuously
a Democratic House. Elected at q time when
that party expected also to elect a President,
the struggle for power involves, this House
has shown more clearly than any other what
the Democratic party is, and what its COM
plete control of the Government would mean.
In purpose and policy it is essentially reac-
tionary. 1t would put the gray above the blue.
1t would punish those who saved the Union,
and reward those who sought to destroy it.
For the first time since the war the country
has had opportunity to see Solid South in full
control of a Democratic House, and to learn,
both by what that House has done and by
the measures proposed but laid aside until
the Solid South can control Democratic
Senate also, what changes are to be expected
if men at the South who do not forget, and
men at the North who do not cease to toady,
get the Government into their hands.
To business and industry, a transfer of
legislative power from one party to the other
is always dangerous. 1t is especially 80
when a definite policy the OutgrOwth