The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-29
Let's Have a Square Back Down.

his veto of the Civil Appropriation Bill,
caucus had forced and fastened upon
it, seems to have more profoundly
COMPOUNDED that party than any one
of the serious blhnders into which it
has been plunged during the extra session.
What will be the next step is as yeta mys-
terry, but there is no device the ingenuity of
desperate demagogues can conceive, which
will rescue them from the merited disfavor
which they have so industriously and per-
sistently invited. Various suggestions have
found publication, as indicative of the
character of their struggle to escape from
the dilemma. The first is to pass the APP
preparation bills, pure and simple, issue an
| address to the country, and adjourn. The
second is to pass a joint resolution contin-
uing the appropriations on the basis of
those of last year until January LIST, renew
the struggle at the next session, if the fall
elections favor the Democrats, and aban-
don it if the Republicans are successful.
The third plan is to pass the Legislative
bill, Invested of all extraneous legislation,
| excepting the jurors test oath, and let the
Army bill fail. The fourth plan is similar
to the foregoing, except that instead Of
permitting the army bill to fail outright, it
is to impose such conditions upon the use
of the money appropriated as will restrict
the transportation of troops and prevent
the President from moving them at pleas
ure. Such a condition, however, would jeop-
ardise the bill, because the President would
certainly veto any measure containing such
a fragrant infringement upon his preroga-
! tive. The fifth proposition emanates from
| the ireconcilables, and is to pass neither
principal propositions that are being tele-
graphed from Washington and discussed
| in Democratic circles, but which one they
| will adopt it is impossible to predict in
| their demoralized condition. 1t is never
| theless apparent that the Democrats assume
| a more conservative and conciliatory dispo-
sition now than they did fortnight since,
| and the general opinion is, according to the
correspondent of the Baltimore american,
that their surrender will be complete, and
that the appropriation bills will be passed,
| minus the political riders.
Indeed, it may be safely assumed, that
| there will be a square back down upon the
| part of the Democrats, who so defiantly,
a few weeks ago, sought to degrade the Ex-
ecutive branch of the government, and to
strip the President of his constitutional
prerogatives.. The conciliatory spirit which
has so eminently distinguished the present
administration, had been nlisconstrued by
the Democratic party into weakness. and
presuming upon this, the notion was con-
ceived that, rather than veto the appropri-
tions for the support of the army and the
civil departments of the government, the
President would tamely submit and SUBJ
scribe to any political and partizan legsla-
ton the short-sighted marplots in Congress
might deem proper to impose. In this they
have found themselves mistaken. They have
mistaken the character of the man they
sought to degra de. They have found out
that he has his convictions of duty and
conceptions OF the dignity OF his office and
the integrity of the government, which
cannot be moved OF shaken by threats, nor
compro missed by any apprehensions of the
resorts of politicians driven to the extreme
of desperation. There is but one solution
to the dilemma, and that is, a clean, square
back down on the part Of those who have
| brought about the conflict, and for the plot
ting agitators to return to their homes to re-
ceive the merited rebuke and condemnation
of their constituents. They will not dare to
| the support of government. They know
| that the failure to pass the appropriation
| bills would entail disaster and ruin npon
| the business of the country, because the
| revenues would be collected and horded
into the treasury whether the civil and mil
tary departments OF the government were
| kept in operation OF not. The life currents
| of trade would be thus drained Of their Vi
| tality, and paralysis in all business avenues
| follow the channels of business commu-
| nication would be closed; the frontiers eX-
| posed to depredations, and the rule Of the
mob inaugurated throughout the length and
| breadth of the land. Not even the Demo-
cratic party, with all its reckless disregard
of the interests Of the people, will dare to
assume the resp onsibility of such a condi-
ton ..of things. A clear, clean surrender
and unconditional abandonment OF their rev.
dictionary attitude is the only alternative
left them.
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