Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-05-02
Speech of Senator David Davis
on the Army Appropriation
Bill.

Nix. PRESIDENT: The caucus is an
important factor in American poll
tics and both the great political
parties of the country employ its
agency. This is done on the theory
that party action is most easily per-
feeted by this method. | do not
complain of the mode adopted to
reach results, but rs | have been
for many years viewing public af-
fairs from an independent stand
point, it does not help me to decide
any question that may come before
the Senate. Although usually pre-
ferring to give a silent vote, | can
not suffer this measure to be passed
on without saying something on
the subject. The heat that has
been manifested ON the occasion of
this debate, has surprised me, if
anything can surprise me in poll
tics. \ stranger unaccustomed To
our mode of debate would suppose
that the union was in danger, and
that the old questions, passions,
prejudices and purposes, which it
had been thought were laid aside
forever, were again revived, and
this too, fourteen years after the
rebellion was conquered, and when
there is no complaint from any
quarter that the federal compact
presses too hard on one section at
the expense of another, and when
the federal government is obeyed
throughout the South. There does
not seem to be the least ground for
the excitement and bitterness that
have characterized the discussion in
Congress at this session, and |
should be amazed that the record
of all parties proves that majorities
invariably commit legislative
wrongs and the minorities inyari-
ably protest againt them.
If it were true, as charged, that
the success of one of the great
parties of the country means rcyo-
luton and ruin to constitutional
liberty, of what value would be the
securities of the the government, or
indeed, any other species of prop
erty? In the nature of things, if
a revolution was impending or
there was any danger apprehended
to free government or popular lib
erty the government would not be
able to sell bonds at four per cent.
interest, nor the stock market main
tain its present high rate. This
charge, Mr.. President, is mere tic-
ton, and has no foundation to rest
on, but it produces infinite mis-
chief and tends to dcmoralize the
country and every material interest
in it, alarms the thoughtless and
timid, unsettlcs business and values,
and produces a state of unrest in
every community. 1t may succeed
in winning elections, but it cannot
restore prosperity. That great OBJ
iect can never be accomplished
through continuance of sectional
strife and the violence that accom-
panies it, nor do / believe the
people are in a mood for this kind
of politics. They have had more
than three years of harsh expe-
rience, and they want to find some
mode Of relief from their present
suffering and impoverished condi-
ton, and they will honor the states
man who contributes to the stock
of knowledge on this subject, rather
than the political leader who will
not let the past alone.
have no personal concern, Mr.
President in the rise and fall of
parties, but | am deeply solicitous
that the affairs Of government shall
be SO administered that labor seek
ing employment can obtain it; that
all industrial pursuits will be suit
ably rewarded, and encouragement
given to the people, north and
south to work out Of their present
embarrassments. We are one people
of the same blood, and with the
same destiny, and unity Of feeling
T is essential to lift Us out Of the mire
apJ m beitt ne IN tho rcoI ~ t,ro,r