Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-21
From the New York Tribune.
The Case of Mr., Beck,

The Case OF MIR. Beck.
The scene in the Senate on Wednesday,
when Mr.. Hoar, after a remarkable display
of patience and pertinacity, extorted from
Mr.. Beck what was tantamount to surly
acknowledgment of his own words, will
not soon be forgotten. Senator Hoar was
sustained by the whole loyal North. The
threat which Mr.. Beck uttered at the be-
ginning of the session has made an i'm
preston upon the country which the Ken
lucky gentleman was not prepared for,
And the country is determined to know
just what IL means. Mr.. Beck, speaking
in behalf of the democratic caucus, which
seems to have taken upon itself all the
functions of Congress and the Executive,
announced that the democratic party had
resolved to stop the government unless
the President consented to violate his con-
stitutional obligation by signing bill of
which he did not approve. If that is the
determination of the democratic party, the
people wish to know it. But Mr.. Beck,
having uttered the threat, seems to be
afraid of repeating it. He made repeated
attempts to turn the discussion toward
other topics. He shufiled he grew angry
he took refuge at last in obstinate silence.
What is the matterp Mr. Beck has been
thought manly and brave 1t is not man
ly to skulk from the responsibility of his
own words. 1t is not brave to indulge in
sounding threats, and when they are re-
peated to pretend that he has said some
thing different and much milder When he
declared that the caucus meant to stop the
government if the President vetoed the re-
peal of the election laws, was he announcing
the real purpose of his party or was he only
talking big, in the hope of frightening the
republicans? If the revolutionary purpose
of the party was what he declared it to be,
is that purpose still entertained? If 50,
why is he afraid to acknowledge it? If it
has been abandoned, why is not the change
Of resolution honestly avowed These are
questions to which the country will have
an answer. Mr.. Beck and his associates
may as well understand that, whatever po-
litical misfortunes may befall us, the
United States will never again, under any
circumstances, submit to be governed by
braggadocio. The day for that sort of
legislation passed long ago. If the plan
tation democracy attempt to rule us by
threats, they shall make their words
good, or they shall eat them.
The country calls upon these men now
to show of what stuff they are made
They tried revolution in 1861, and they
were whipped. They threatened another
in 1868. when they nominated man for
the Vice Presidency because he proposed
to overthrow all the reconstructed State
governments by force of arms but that
menace of war was ANONYMOUSLY extin-
guished under the tremendous majority
for General Grant. They threatened revo.
luton again in 1S7G-77 because they were
not allowed to thrust Mr.. Tilden into the
Presidency after the failure of the attempts
to buy it for him, and that insurrectior
died in disgrace ike school boys riot
What do they mean this time They have
told us that they will stop the public sup.
plies, starve the Army and Navy, disband
the whole force Of Government officials
close the Federal courts, extinguish the
lights on the coasts, il we do not consent
to the repeal of the election laws. Wei
our answer is prompt and positively,
will not consent Now begin your revolu
ton, if you dare.