The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-12-12

As we said Tuesday morning, the gist OF
the Presidents message, and the portion Of
the document that calls forth the most
criticism, both favorable and adverse, is
that in which lie refers to the condition Of
politicsl siiairs in the South. The Chica-
go Times is of the opinion that what he has
said on this point will give rise to an in
tere-ting debate in Congress, and will lead
to the opening up of the whole question Of
the management Of the recent elections in
the South. The Times says:
Humanity speaking, the sslliest point of
the Presidents message is that which relates
to the execution of the laws against obstrep
erous southern bGlIdozer politicians. He does
not formulate or propose any new southern
policy He does not ask or recommend any
legislation, or express a wish for any addl-
tional authority. But he expresses his fall
approval of the suggestion by the attorney
general that Congress shoult appropriate
$4,000 for the ecoSsary extra expenses OF
the department of Justice IN executing
prrscut national laws against law breakers
rendered necessary by the extra amount of
law breaking done, since the adjournment of
Congress, in different parts of the South.
The Times thinks this amounts to recon-
mendation to Congress, and thus becomes
part of the governmental policy; and consid-
ers it recommendation that will be GER
tain 10 make a party issue in the House,
and test the strength of the administration
in Congress. 1t adds.
As Mr. Charles Foster sagsciousIy observes,
this undoubtedly Will give rise to a bate,
opening up the whole question of the man
agement of the recent election canvass in the
touth Mr.. Foster says he has such n sub
lime confidence in Bourbon stupidity" that
he can reasonably predict they "will not
fail to intensity the occasion by opening up
ali possible advantages 10 their opponents"
He thinks 1.-THE smart thing for the Bourbons
to do would be to pass the appropriation
asked for without word of opposition, be.
cause there can be no questioning the fact
that the management OF the late elections in
the south was su beet thst.wOu'd not bear
scrutiny, and debate must inevitably result
in a showing "nei;h"r satisfactory nor.profit
able to them But he has no idea that they
will do the smart thing, or fail to do the stu
pid one.
And therein Mr.. Foster is eminently cor
rect. II there is possible chance, any
where, for blunder, some sharp Democrat
will always be smart enough to find it, and
the majority of his party will be smart
enough TO step into it. As the Times says
They will oppose the proposed appropria-
ton. They will try to make it appear that
n further appropriation IS necessary. Thus
they will open debate that will bring forth
all the damaging facts til. government pso-
pie can present. They will deny everything
and demand proof, and against whatever
proofs may be offered they Will stand and
speak and ote as defenders of the accused. |
Instead OF getting on the government party |
platform, which Mr.. Foster says II would be |
the smart thing for them to do, they VIII |
keep on an opposition party platform, and |
by defending the bad policy and wretcAed |
measures Of their solid-south confreres, will |
contrive 10 make II as untenable as possible.
/; is their nature to do so, and they will act |
put their nature. They Will fall into the |
snare set for their destruction, as usual. II
this supplementary measure Of the admins
.raiion southern policy had been deliberate
y planned to invite the BCrbOns 20 assist al
heir own funeral, it could not have been bet
er contrived. OF course they will accept the
invitation. So fine change TO commit an
1ther egregious blunGer they could not suffer
o pass unimproved without aDdicafiDg their
prominence as the most consun mate politi-
al blunderers the world contains.