The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-06
THE DEMOCRATS DETERMINED.

One unfortunate backdown on the part of
Democratic Congress seems to have firmly
impressed the Republican press and politi-
clans OF the country with an exultant convic-
ton that 1t Is characteristic of the Democra-
cy to be ready to retire at the first summons
whenever they have taken any bold and COM
handing position.
All know that the unfortunate backdown"
Of which we write was that on the part of the
majority during the count OF the electoral
vote. The virtual surrender then Of the office
OF President, which the party had won, was
not prompted by the menaces of despotic
President, or forced by the bluff and bluster
OF the Republican leaders. 1t was surren-
der decided upon to avert the dangers of
civil war. It was a retreat, it is true, with
two State governments left behind as spells
to the enemy. from whose hands only diplo-
macy could save them. Still 1t was an intact
retreat from which the party returned to win
new victory in the Congressional campaign
OF 1878.
The Republican press and politicians mis-
take the character OF the Democratic Rep
resentatives In Congress when they imply
that from the abandonment of one victory by
the party, they are ever ready to retire at the
first symptoms of bluff and menance on the
part of the opposition.
The mouths of the leading politicians and
the columns of the leading journals Of the
Republican party have lately been filled with
lusty exultation at the utter defeat and de-
moralization of the Democratic majority,
caused by the presidential veto of the wise
IN ~ nIanxr fr off
It appears to us that this exultation is
rather premature. 1t would be better de-
ferred until some symptom OF that alleged de-
feat and decentralization at least manifests it.
self on the more irritable portions Of the
party. But the Democratic majority In
Congress has neither been disheartened, de-
| feated nor denloralized by the expected thwart-
ing of their purposes through an improper
exercise of the veto power The majority in
| Congress maintains q bold and dignified
| front instead of manifesting signs of defeat
or decentralization.
AS we have said before, it has met the is
sue, raised by the veto between the executive
and the legislative departments Of the gov
eminent, not with angry protest at the extra
ordinary obstruction Of legislation on the part
of the President but with firm and resolute
dignity they still propose to accomplish their
| end. .5.@=..=.
1t was generally known that Congress pro-
posed to present its measures for preventing
the interference of troops at the polls In a
new form, and one which would not conflict
with the objections of the President already
advanced In his veto message.
| The conference committees of the caucus
have been engaged for a few days on the pre-
paration Of new bill by which 1t Is proposed
to accomplish the same ends sought In the
amendment to the defeated army bill They
have brought bill before the Democratic
caucus which has apparently been ratified
without debate. The following is rough
Geographic synopsis of the measure:
| 1t will provide in substance that sections
2o02 and 2O03 Revised Statutes. shall not b. con.
strued as authorizing the President to station OIL
maintain troops at the polls except under
| orders of the President to repel armed enemies
| of the United States or In pursuance Of consti.
tutional requirements: upon application Of
| the Legislature OF state. or Of the Governor
when the Legislature cannot be convened, te
| repress domestic violence. The bill will be &C.
| cOmpanied by a short preamble Of an argu.
mentatiye nature. to determine the phraseology
| of which. and also to agree upon an effect W
title. consumed considerable time to-day
| In their present line of conduct, far from
showing spirit Of Generalization, the De
mocracy display firm and dignified deter
mination to effect the legislation they at frs