New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-16

Guiding the most important In expenditure III
volyed, ask the construction of railways, TEL
egrapbs. canals, and levees. Bills OF all these
classes we find in the short list offered IN the
Senate alone.
Some of these proposed measures are proper
and some highly improper. Some wouiu DC
reasonable if the country had abundant 1uhus,
no debts, and high prosperity; others "oulu
not be reasonable in any case. some are
honest enough in spirit, but involve commit
ment of the Government to other projects OF
knayish intent; others are rascally DOM III
nurnose and in effect. But behind all these
bills. considered separately, and the others
offered i'm the House, and all the DIS ohereu
in both Houses since the recess, anu the
other, far more numerous, ana far greater
demands which will undoubtedly be made
when marty interest no longer restraints DEM
ocrats. and when Republican power IN the
Senate no longer makes it fatal and foolish
for Democrats to make known all their de-
mands. lies the same combination OF forces-a
solid South. an initiating West, and a corrupt
Tammany.
In behalf of the most worthy and the most
lSnayish of these bills it will be urged that
something must be done for the South. Rec
onciliation must take practical shape. Fine
words butter no parsnips the SOdth has not
prospcred during and in consequence of It's
rebellion, and it wants to recover by acts Oh
Congress, and at the public cost, the advan-
tages which it has thrown away. Let lis put
aside, once for all, every suspicion OF I'M
reasoning sectional hostility toward the South (;
all that the country should do for the public
interest, and can now afford to do, should he
done regardless of locality But when Southern
men are asked, because the South is poor and
has lost much, to vote for measures which are
not worthy, or which the country cannot now
afford. Scciionaism rcars its head again. We
of the North welcome back the States OF the
South As equals in the Union. but we do not
propose to make up TO them all that they have
thrown away. 1t would be well for us all If
they were more prosperous. II would also be
well for Ills all if the Nation bad not great
debt, caused by Il Southern rebellion. But tie
North has no notion of robblng rs own work
men and property owners in order to MAKE the
South as well off as if it had not rcbelled.
Let bygoncs he byG0ncs" Oh one side. but on
the other also Punishment and persecution
for past misconduct cease. But reward low
bclion is not going TO begin.
II may be sad with truth chat there are
also bills which seek expenditures OF public
money at the North or West, and that these,
also. are not always meutOrious. But let the
impartial observer contrast the list already
printed with the bills offered for the benefit
of any other section, having in mind the
relative population, wealth and commercial
importance, and the dspr0portlon VIII he III
stantly seen. The South wants "to get even
at the public expense. 1t wants to run the
Government for its own and separate adj
vantage for awhile, as IT was ncces'a-
rly managed. during years of separation. with
regard to the immediate interests OF the non
seeding States. That is exactly the thing
which will not be done without strong protest.
When men of means want to bul!d up waste
placcs at the South ont of their private funds,
os an investment or from motives of generosity,
we shall all rejoice. But the common Govern
mcnt of these United States has no business
10 pay money, levy taxes, or incur debts, IN
order To make those States which rchcned
as well off as those which did not rebel.
That Is not just government. and that sort OF
RECONCILIATION will only help people to IA
derstand what Democracy means.