The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-12

III tho Republicans do not like the cgisla-
ton which the present Congress proposes TO
enact, we can tell them of a feasible and
manly way of proceeding to which nobody
will object. Let them 20 to work and turn
out the Democratic majority and elect Re-
publican Congress. This will be honorable
and above board, and perfectly legitimate.
But whining over their losses of votes.
and trying to repair them by the use of
the obstructive power of the veto. is
childish ana factious. They ought TO have
grace enough and philosophy enough to dis
dain such methods. There are worse things
In the world than being in a minority, and
one is the want OF spirit to endure misfor-
tune. One would suppose that after eigh-
teen or twenty years OF uninterrupted sway
In the Government, the Republicans might
meet the day Of reaction with some degree
of complacency, and accept the situation
with patience. In view Of such change. to
have no policy but that of blind obstruction.
andto declare war against all legislation and
oil methods except such as they approve
Is as poor commentary upon their wisdom
as 1t Is upon their patriotism.
There is no royal way OF converting n
minority into a majority; and this seems to
be the source Of all the violence threatened
by the Republican managers in Congress
They have been In the habit Of lcgislating
by majorities. and have become used to the
exercise OF this power SO long that they
think it a hard case il they cannot be
allowed the same practice when they have
only minorities to show They fret and
fume over their lost authority as though
the country bu1 Ippa fhptt al a
wrong by elcctng.a majority against them.
We suggest to these gentlemen that their
position would be very much improved be-
fore the country and tic world il they would
gracefully accept the crisis, and in SO far as
they are able, set themselves lcgitimatcly
to work TO change it. If they have not got
majority in Congress, which is but too
evident, let them strive by honest and
peaceable means to obtain one. Nobody
will object to this course; but until they do
this, let them abide by the facts as they are.
and exhibit that moderation and propriety
OF demeanor which should belong to expc-
rienced legislators. Don't let them exhibit
Ill temper over their condition and threaten
to bring Government 10 a deadlock II they
can't have their way 1t is not respectable.
Il is very certain the Republicans must
submit in the end, because the law OF our
political existence demands it. It is no use
trying 10 resist the rule OF the majority.
That is firmly fixed in the public mind as
the best system OF government extant and
the people will certainly stand by it,, The
party that has majority behind it's the
one that is impregnable. Minorities and
vetoes may temporarily obstruct, but they
are bound TO give way in the end
We counsel the Republicans TO make q vir-
tue OF necessity, and to withdraw from their
untenable and ant-republican position while
they yet may, without loss Of more reputa-
ton. They will make a great mistake II
they hold out so long as to create a gem
eral disgust over their i'll judged obstruc-
hveness. as they assuredly will il they per
sist in resisting the popular judgment. De
cisive majorities in Congress must be re-
spected, or government by public opinion is
a failure