The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-12-04
PRINCIPLE AND SUCCESS.

Some democratic newspapers have
been badly demoralized by the late de-
feats and are wing with republican pa
pers in denCuncing democratic congress
men for the extra session. There was
not democratic newspaper not true
democrat in the United States who did
not insist that congress was right in de
handing repeal of the election laws
and in adopting means which would
enable a majority of the representatives
OF the people to express their wishes
through the medium of Legislative enact
ments. 1t is cowardly now that the PEG
pie through a false understanding of the
cause and objects of the extra session,
repudiates it, for the papers to denounce
that which they once encouraged.
The representatives were urged to per-
severe in the work of repeating laws
which are inconsistent with those person
al rights that form the foundation of our
government. In the trying ordeal to
which they were subjected they looked
to the people for advice. Democratic
newspapers voiced the sentiments of the
party they represented. He who would
daily after that was indeed a bastard
The democrats fought for a principle
which justice approved. Those foremost
IN the fight were most heartily applaud
al A,,1 l. =
the people declare these men wrong and
the extra session IS denounced by those
who counseled anything rather submits
sion. is 1t right to have troops at the
polls? Certainly not. Is it right to
have deputy marshals and supervisors of
election having the power to make arrest
without process, working not i'll the in
forests of purity but in the interests of
thatparty through which they derive their
Official existence? Most assuredly not.
Is it advisable in an effort to redress a
wrong, to succumb to the first obstacle
encountered? The party or the man
with no more nerve or perseverance than
to yield to the slightest opposition is I'M
deserving Of confidence or trust. Is
success a constant measure of rightl
Were the democrats wrong because the
president disregarded law and precedent
to protect his party from defeat2 If it
was right during the session Of congress
to insist on the repeal Of these laws. it is
right now. The peoples verdict is not
always just one. There is no appeal
from it and it settles that on which it is
given. But it cannot make wrong right
1t is too susceptible TO the influence Of
demagoguery, too easily biased by pas
sion and partisanship to be a guide for
conscience. The democrats were right
in that for which they commended and
their failure to attain results sLoalG not
weaken our faith. Disaster may deplete
our ranks and lose us the wavering: it
cannot destroy orr convictions based on
a sense OF right nor tliyest principles of
their soul of truth. The extra session
may have proved injurious to democracy,
bat it sought the public good. 1t was
forced by president who resisted q ma
irity; it was credited to body whose
only fault ives an effoit to exercise the
functions grlnted it by the supreme law
of the land. The objects sought to be
secured by the democrats were misrep-
resented. The cost of the extra session
obscured the principles fought for by
the democrats. TIE PEOPLE thought
moro of the dollars 81 ens Il an of he
rights jeorrar;lized by republican,
legislation. But truth Will prevail.
Prejudice viii not always darken q
Judgment OF the people, and the demo-
cratic party will he rewarded nsteali III
inaisi.ed for its fidelity TO the peopr.