Daily globe., 1879-06-02

nave seen Inat only tnrOugn It's dominance
can those principles be established.
THE DEMOCRATIC PROGRAMME.
The Democratic caucus, We are con-
strained to believe, pursued an unwise
course on Saturday in deciding to run a
further, risk OF prolonging the session.
They decided to pass the appropriation bills
with restrictions prohibiting the expendi-
ture of any money for the payment
of supervisors of elections or deputy
marshals employed at elections, or for
the pay or transportation of troops en-
ployed at the polls in any State. This is
substantially re- enactment of the repeal
ing clauses of the appropriation bills that
have already been vetoed by Mr.. Hayes, and
there is little reason to hope that the bills,
If passed as contemplated, would receive
any better reception at his hands. It seems,
therefore, as if the proposed programme
was designed solely to consume time, with
the faint hope that the patience of
Mr.. Hayes may be exhausted and
approval of the measures thus OBJ.
tanned. It ought to be borne in mind,
however, that while Congress is engaged in
worrying Mr.. Hayes the patience of the
public in general is rapidly being exhausted,
and that while temporary advantage may
possibly be gained by persistency, the hazard
is being taken of working incalculable injury
to the party. lr
All that can be accomplished in the way of
political legislation is already done. The
Democratic party has made its record, and
has forced the Republican party into posi-
ton from which it cannot retreat. The
Democracy are arrayed on the side of free
government and untrammelled elections.
Their views have been ably and thoroughly
presented to the public through the media
of the speeches of the best of their Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress and
the public press They have placed them
selves on record, and of their record they
need not be ashamed, for it is throughout
honorable, consistent and patriotic.
The Republican partysis in arms against
the republican idea-that the people have
the right to govern themselves. It has been
shown more especially within the past two
months, whom the chosen exponents of the
ideas of the party have insisted in the halls
of Congress that monarchical methods were
necessary in order to keep the people in
subjection. They have ridiculed republican
ism; they have outraged the very idea of
free government. They have placed them
selves in opposition to the theory upon
which the government was formed, and
have laid down the broad assertion that the
people of the United States are not COM
petent to govern themselves without the
supervision of officers delegated by the
central government. The idea is pre-
posterous, when viewed from republican
standpoint. If the people are not competent
to express their views at the ballot box with
out dictation from the supreme authority of
the land, they are not competent to e1er-
else the right of suffrage. If the present
election laws are to rexain in force, all that
need be required is for the central govern.
ment to announce its will and the people to
obey. The long and the short of the whole
business is this: If it is competent for the
general government to appoint supervisors
of election, with such powers as they pos
sess, it is equally competent for that govern
ment to prescribe how the citizens shall vote
for whoever transgresses the one lays him.
self liable under the other hypothesis.
| A. xvo bovo ,o;1 kbo n,,,,ooro&;n x,o,4,, 10.
made its record, and can afford to go home
and to appeal to the people for endorsement
It has done what it could. That has no
been great deal, but it would have beer
more but for the opposition of the execu
tive. The record of the party is a thinl
to be proud of, and no member of tina
party need be ashamed to go before the peo
pie and ask approval of his course. Thu
far the party has been consistent, for it ha
been thoroughly democratic. It has stoo
unainchingly by the principle of mans righ
to govern himself. That it has failed in ae
complishing its purposes is not attributabl
to itself, but to othelopposition. On this recor
it can afford to 60 before the psople, an
/ &SA ENTHUSIASTICALLY ~ 10 uS0AS7oS W dVtcnk
anything further, and as there is no disposi
ton to starve the government, the bette
course will be-if we may he allowed
judge to pass the appropriation bills pur
and SIMPLE, and on the issues already raise
appeal to the people. or the verdict ther
can be no doubt. It will be most emphat
ic approval of the course Of the Democrat
party in Congress, butif the opportunity
not seized, and if time is to be frittere
away, the course Of Congress will be col
demned. Instead of attempting to coers
the executive Congress should at once al
journ, first providing for the necessities {
every branch of the government.
Tour of Marine Inspection.
II Especial Telegram to the Globe.