New-York tribune., 1879-04-01
"PRESIDENTMAKING."

1t is objected with something like hppancy
to the debate now in progress IN the House
over the proposition of the Democracy to
starve the Executive Department into COM
plianCe with their terms, that it is 4" simply
matter of President-malling," the inference
being that beyond the effect upon the for
tunes of Presidential candidates on either
side, it is of no great consequence.
Wei, suppose it be admitted that President
making is the main purpose of the discussion,
and that the chief thing aimed at on either
side is to influence public opinion with refer
ence to the Presidential election of 1880 we
do not see that even then it may not have its
uses, and very profitable ones too. Even in
ordinary times-if there ever are ordinary
times in pOltics-the Presidency Is no such
light affair that the course of PARTIES the acts
of party leaders, and the debates in Congress
are independent of it. The circumstances of
the present political situation lend unusual
importance to the question of the next Prcsi-
dency, for the reason that only that Office
stands between the Democratic party and the
absolute control of the Government. for which it
so ardently strives. 1t is not strange that Presi
dent-naking should begin WITH this Congress,
for that is the prOveIbial occupation OF the
second Congress of Presidential term That
the business is entered upon early is
accounted for by the circumstance of a called
session, and the action of the last Congress,
which made the call necessary. A Dem
Ocratic Congress, for party reasons by
no means uncOnnected with the Presi-
dental question, compelled the extra
session and precipitated the debate. 1t
would have been vastly better for the
country to have postponed it till the regular
session Of December that we might in the
Congressional recess have enjoyed period Of
assured security and rest. But the new Con-
gress having been convened, President making
is in order, and we are not sorry to see 1t
begun. We have no sympathy with those who
pretend to despise it as petty business.
What gives to the present debate unusual
significance and the highest importance is the
fact, as has been intimated, that it is pre-
limnary to the great controversy of 1880, in
which the people of this country are to decide
whether the party that abandoned the Govern
ment in 1851, and for four years sought
to destroy il, should be given control of the
only department that stands between them
and absolute power. 1t is a question of an
entire change Of policy and OF rulers. 1t is
important that it should be discussed with
the utmost thOrOughness; that on both sides
the opportunity should be given to show TO
the people what is its precise intent and
meaning. The Republicans i'll Congress well
come the opportunity, and will not shm
the responsibility. They believe that it is
only necessary to uncover the real spirit and
purpose of their opponents in order to gain
a popular verdict against them. They desire
only to draw out the leaders of the Demo
cratic party to a full expression of their
opinions and frank disclosure Of their plans
so that the country may judge them by what
they are proposing to do as well as
by what they have done; by their pro-
gramme for the future as well as by
their record in the past. The Democracy have
Just come in possession of the last of their
acquisitions from the reaction against the
Republicans which began with President
Grants second term. Their accession to
power in the Senate is the elimination
Of that mOvement-the crest of the wave.
Their reduced majority in the House III
the present Congress IS q significant
token OF the returning tide. But they
still have both branches of Congress, and
strong hopes of swooping up the Presidency,
their next objective point And the question
before the people is whether they have shown
themselves so faithful in few things as to be
promoted over all.
The debate in progress, which, thanks to
such noble speeches us that of General Gar
field, is throwing up in bold relief the record
of the party by the side OF the disclosure of
it's present purpose, will do much to ilumi-
nate public opinion on this point. The meas
ures which Democratic caucus has voted to
force upon the country by the starvation
policy have direct and immediate reference to
the Presidential election. Their work is
President making pure aud simple. 1t is
a desperate dash on their part at the
last obstacle between them and tho power
and patronage of the Government. On the