New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-05
the NrW DEM0CEl1Ic LE1DER.

Mr. Blackburn comes into view as the real
! leader of the Democratic House. Until 1880
| it was thought necessary to mask the steel
hand in a kid glove. SO Democracy pre-
ferred Mr.. Randall for Speaker, Bat It's real
purpose. the ann toward which The Democracy
moves with Randall for its disguise in 1879.
and with Blackburn for Speaker in 1891, is
declared ny the impatient member from Ken
lucky. " For the first time in eighteen years
1.-THE Democracy is back in power in both
"hou,es of Congress" he says, and then
avows its mission thus 1--WE do not intend to
stop until we have stricken the lass vcstIEc
"of your war measures from the statutc-bopks.'
This with special reference to an act which
was framed five years after the war had
closed, to prevent or punish fraud in eioc-
tons But Mr. Blackburn was right, ncvcrthc-
less; that act was a war measure. 1t was
passed to prevent the overthrow, by dishonest
and foul means, Of that loyal majority which
had sustained the Government against rebel
lion, and which, when the war had ceased
still maintained the principles of freedom
equality and justice, in behalf Of which the
war had been waged. This and all other war
measures must vanish from the statute-books.
The reconstruction acts were war measures,
and must be wiped out The taxation of
whiskey and tobacco, with the whole internal
revenue system, was war measure. and must
be wiped out. The creation of a public debt
for the preservation of the Union was a war
measure, and can be met Ivy victorious South
ONLY bv reputation Of the debt. What can
be broader and stronger than the declaration,
except the purpose behind til
A week ago The TRIBUNE said, in an artI-
Gle which has caused much remark: There
lis division of parties which goes TO the
every foundation of our system Of govern
"ment To-day the rebellion. revived and
"rehabilitated, is encamped in both houses
"of Congress The sectional spirit Of the
South was never more aggressive. Because
" fhe North reslsts, there is u radical. ire
| "pccsslble conflict Some men called this
rant some fre-eStinG; and some thought il
calculated to produce the antagonlsm which
it merely recorded as an existing fact. Was
it in any respect an erroneous statement
What else has Mr.. Blackburn said 7 lie has
merely put into plain words the demand of
the aggressive and defiant South. Thatthc North
fcsjsts, and will resist, he .wAOruns may read.
NJ the war measures which "a victorious North
held necessary for the maintenance, cOnsOli-
daton, safety and honor Of the Union, these the
South means to strike from tho statute-bOokS.
Because the North reslsts, because it still
means to maintain and consolidate the Union,
and to defend the peace aud honor of the Ma
tion, there is an irrepressihc conflict. The
grave and patient North has not the Southern
gift Of Boosting or ranting. and its calmneSs
was mistaken in 1861 for INDIGESTION. But
! time will show whether the North will give
up al that blood was shed to gain.
! During the war. and after it closed, impor
tant changes in legislation were effected.
! They were recognized by the loyal North as
necessary. Without them, 1t would have been
! impossible to uphold the Government il IT'D
resistance 70 rebellion, or in its reGstabllsh-
| ment Of loyal Government after the war had
ceased. These were termed war measures.
! Some of them, in particular were found neces-
| sary in order to make it possible and safe to
| treat the rebel communities with lenence.
| All their rights as political organizations in
| the Union these communities had forfeited.
As communities. they retained at the end Of
| the war no other right than to DO ruled Us