New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-16
TIT POTTER RESOLrTLOV.

Among the blind, the one-cyed Is King In
Democratic caucus, some men were found who
could see that the Potter resolution was
bluuder. It's introduction, without conference
with members who were expected to support
il, was den lunccd as nsOiCnt. 1t plainly
sought a revival Of the Presidential contest,
and was obviously hostile 10 the public peace
and prosperity, and contrary to the will OF all
good citizens. But, said the one-eyed the
bunder had been porPetrstod, end there was
nothing left but 10 support the blundercrs.
That partial, partisan and fraudulent inyes-
tigation would be discrcdIted from the start;
thai it would rouse against the party all the
AnglO-Saxon love of fair play, and yet would
not keep from the public any part Of the i'm
portaut proof which the party confessed it did
not dare to admit, should have been seen by
anybody not morally and mentally blind. Yet
the caucus voted not TO permit any appronch
TO fairness or completeness in the inquiry. IL
resolved to drive through its fraudulent in
vestigation, regardless Of decency. public
opinion, the public welfare, OF the interests of
the party So desperate resolve can have
but one rational meaning. The revolutionary
element has the upper hand, and by means of
caucus forces members of the party INTO sub
mission.
Either it is intended to impeach and try to
Dust the President, or it is not. If that is the
intent il has been formed without one line or
word of evidence tending to connect the
President with alleged frauds. This is virtually
confessed, for, while other evidence has been
hastily emptied upon the public, not a single
word affecting the President has been made
20 looIi,,o n.p,nrrotu Tho plap
in that case is to set up a smelling commit
tee, to sec if there cannot be found or manu-
featured evidence enough to excuse proceed
ings Nothing so indecent has ever been at
tempted by any other party in the history of
the country. 1t is proposed that one branch
of Congress shall resolve itself into School
for Scandal. Before a body which, by the
very conditions of its creation, is declared to
care nothing for dcccncy, nothing for justice,
nothing for public welfare, all disappointed or
corrupt creatures are invited Ia come and have
their "cOnscienccs quickened." How this can
be managed the country has seen in the false,
contradictory and peTjured statements already
produced in this matter. But upon such
cooked and er parte evidence 1t is proposed
that a partisan majority shall take action.
Rash as Democrats are, they would never
attempt such a thing if better evidence could
be had but they do not dare to permit fair,
full and judicial inquiry. 1t is virtually IL
confession that the party has no chance and
no hope, in its revolutionary schemes, except
by resort to means so unjust and
shameless that they ought to fasten lasting
disgrace upon those who resort to them.
This is one aspect of the business. The
other is not better. If the resolution is not
intended to assail the Presidents title, the ex-
cuse which it alleges for investigation is a
cheat. 1t refers to the action Of Maryland,
but that concerns the Presidents title, or moth
ing. In that case, false pretext has been
used to get before the House, as a question of
privilege, Il matter which would otherwise be
excluded 10y rules framed to secure attention
to public business. The real object muse then be
to fish up from the cutters some garbage to
serve party capital. 1t Is simply infamous
TO use the powers of Congress, at the expense
of beiOuling the country, to help political
party. And in this case, too, the methods are
as vile as the object for, even in a par
tisan inquest, the Congress Of the United
States dishonOrs itself if it refuses TO hear
proofs on both sides. The Democrats NAV
take which horn of the dilemma they please.
If they mean to assail the Presidents title,
their proceeding is revolutionary, if they
mean to make party capital, it is infamous
to prostitute legislative power to that end !;
and in either case there have been gross
deception and persistent lying about the object,
and the methods proposed are in the last