Daily Republican., 1879-06-28
Ray ards Backbone.

have much to say in regard to wha1
are called the sterling qualities of Sen
ator Bayard's character. That the
Delaware Senator has ability beyond
the average cannot be denied, and ii
is also true that OF late he has given
some evil, ence in his spt e;he' and ac-
tiOns, that he is either controlled ty
an unusual degree of conservatism or
that he is vas cillating ami undecided.
1t so happens that the Senator has
made himself conspicuous amongst
hi, fellows BY taking an isolated
position which has placed him before
the country as a politician highly gift
ed by nature and possessing a moral
and intellectual backbone. 1t is in
deed a wonder tuat so small state as
Delaware, should be able to impart such
a remarkable degree of backbone to one
Of her sons, when she for years has
been held in political bondage by Mr.
Bayard's own party. In explanation
0 this queer political phenomenon il
shoull le membered that Mr.. Bay
ard has but little to do to retain his
hold upon that part Of the State he
represents. The latter had many
years ago been divided into two bail
iwicks, one being the acknowledged
property Of the oar lsbury family and
the other the property OF the house of
the Bayari's. Having only New Cas-
tie County which contains more than
half the population of the State and
only one third the representation, he
has not much to look after and so long
as it is understood that Kent aud Sussex
are the property of the Salisbury
family, AMI that New Castle belongs
to Bayari the Delaware Senators rst
assured in their heritage, none
daring to molest them or make tneu
afraid
They van 40 as they please and there
is no formal protest. lney are reign'
ing families an regularly fall heir U
the two Senatorial chairs in Congress.
None sees proper to dispute that rgh!
with them, for is it not understood tha'
the Saulsburys are to rule the l,w-r
part of the State and Bayard the upper
part? Under these circumstances Mr.
Bayard has not to follow the current o'
popular opinion, but being supreme
lord and MASTER Of his little political
domain, he can direct it as he will. liz
is not disturbed Ivy jealousies amougs
his constituents, like Senators from
large States, and he can be silver ma,
or an anti-silver man at pleasure AUG
he never will be called to an accoun
for it. Even should his constituent:
turn upon him and elect delegation
to the Legislature from New Castle op
posed to him, Saulsburys bailiwick
Which contains two-thirds of the repre-,
sentation in the legislature, and which
is as true to the int rests of the hous+ s
of Salisbury and Bayard as the needle
is to the pole; would carry out the
original compact, While We are glad
that Mr.. Bayard really does possess a
considerable modicum Of that much
nee led articl- back lone, we really dc
not see why such unstinted eulogy
should be lavished upon him. He is
VIII he is without having to make a
particle OF sacrifice which might render
him unp 2pular with his constituency
In fact it makes no matter whether his
constituency of New Castle county is
faithful to his interests or not, when il
fail, :, tnat of Keat and Sussex holding
the constitutional key of the State, will
come to his rescue.
The talented Senator had no risks
to run. while the Saulsburys have
been lords and masters Of the lower
part of tn. State and fllel the Offices
with brother, a cousin, brother in
law, or second cousin, the Bayards
have exercised the same sway over the
northern part of the Stat, the only
difference being that the reiGning fami-
ly ~ not so prolific AMI there was a
smaller number to b, served with
Offices. TIL most rigid tirmness is not
hard to p'actic, under these circum-
stances. Extreme rigidity of back bone
is not diff n Of attainment under
these cir;ulus tanccs, and Mr.. Bayard
havin5 IT aimed the highest point tc
which Delaware can advance him, rests
in secure posse tssion Of his prize without
moles ,ati N. After ALL AMI notwith.
standing the praise iavished upon the
S nat for his frmness, little retlec.
ton and not very minute pxamina
tion into Mr.. Bayard' s actions, or rather
his lack ofaction in some STATE politi
cal refJrms VIII cl are much needed
will show that hi, spinal column is
slightly so't, yielding and marrowy
in places. For instance IL has never
known to have made a ngl- pablo
effort 10 free New Castle County from
tn, bon lage of unequal representa-
tion.