The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-05-16
The C~restfnllen Democracy,

New York Tribune Of 18th.
The Democrats arc staggered. The
shrewdest party organs suggest that an
other change in the army bill should be
made, to avoid'the later objections Of the
President. This is the best testimonial
that can be desired as to the soundness OF
those objections. Democratic leaders do
not suffer themselves to be kicked from
pillar to post, unless it is because they are
conscious that each kicks deserved, Had
the party done more thinking before it
framed the army bill, it would not have
been obliged to do as much thinking now.
The trouble with that party seems to be
well stated by a Democratic journal which
says: "a party destitute alike Of sense
and backbone can never elect a Presi-
dent" The Republican party, its worst
enemies admit, does not lack courage.
But the Democratic party, since January
last, has shown only the spirit of the
Gascon; it has threatened much, and
boosted much, and backed down often.
With the Democratic leaders, it is fash
ionable to deny just now that the party
ever had the intentions ascribed to it. The
ringing speech of Senator Window, on
Monday, was particularly notable for one
statement, namely, that the Democratic
Chairman Of the Committee on Appropri-
atoms, MIR. Atkins, asserted in conference,
as q reason for the course OF his party in
refusing appropriations as 1t did, that athe
Government could get along for four
months, but not for sixteen months"
This is but one OF many declarations
which show the deliberate purpose OF the
Democratic leaders at that time. They
meant TO starve the Government. Of
course, they hoped that the President
would yield. But they thought them.
selves fully resolved to stick together and
starve the Government, unless he should
yield and allow their caucus bills to pass
without a change. When they found that
the President did not wayer, but made
their measures contemplate and odious
by his criticism, they tried SO to change
the bill that he could be said to have
yielded. Then, again, they have blunder-
ed. Now they will have TO run away like
whipped men, or execute their threats and
take the consequences. 1t would have
been cheaper not to threaten.
The false pretext that the President
means to employ troops to interfere at
elections, though most unequiyocally de-
MED by the President in both messages,
Is still repeated by some constituencies
party organs. But the people are not
Tools. Voters, do not forget that Presi-
dent Hayes took troops away from the
South, even though his own party was
angry, because 1t was not then clear to
him that their further employment there
was warranted. Nor are voters blind to
the real issue: Shall Federal officers have
power, In any case OF need, to stand their
ground and make the laws respected" 1t
Is the intent OF Democracy to leave them
defenceless; to subordinate the nation to
the States; to assert anew, and more dan.
gerously than ever, the dogma of State
sovereignty; and to strip the Government
oil that power which Washington, Jelrer-
son and Madison deemed absolutely neces-
sary Tor the suppression OF any revolt.
That same National power which sup.
pressed the whisky rebellion and the Burr
conspiracy, and the great rebellion OF 1851,
the solid Democratic South wishes to take
from the Government forever. Well may
Democrats in Congress turn pale when
they find their purpose so plainly OK.
posed.
The real issue goes to the country, with
all the Democratic threats, and efforts, md
failures. 1t is an attempted revolution.
under color Of forms oilaw. And it has
disgracelully failed. Next, the peopIe
will ask why the extra session was called?
Why were moi the neediul appropriation
bills passed at the last session? II the
Democratic party does not dare to bite as
it banks, why did II not spare the country
all the trouble aud risk and expense Of
this extra session? Who will speak with
respect Of the braggarts who dared to
threaten to starvel the Government, but
do not dare TO try itp Senator Chandler
wrote their epitaphs, His pithy speech
was true; the would.be rebels Of 1879 will
be remembered and punished as were The
rebels Of 1851. Not mar Of these North.
ern dough.faces will escape. No constitu.
ency, whatever It's party tendency, will
dare to nominate them. They Will 90
from public life never TO return, and on
their political tombstones a patriotic peo.
pie VIII write, iMene, meme, tskel uphar.
sim ~ y ID 4