The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-08
The First Victory.

Now that there has been time for the pas
sions to cool, which were SO intensely ex-
cited during the angry debate on the Army
bill, the most sagacious Republicans freely
admit that a political blundcr was commit
tod when DE GoINER GARFIELD and SEcoR
robson were put forward as leaders. and
permitted to make false issue upon which
the party could not expect to stand before
the country. They sought in vain at the
beginning to correct this mistake, but were
carried on by the current and could only
protest with vehemcnce in private against
policy which must be followed by discredit
After all the fiery utteranccs and threats
OF q veto, DE GoLYER GARFIELD at the close
surrendered the whole ground on which his
party was made to stand, by declaring in
face OF the House and of the country that
he was ready and willing to help the Demo-
Gratis to expungc from the statute book the
law authorizing the use of the army at the
polls So that, in fact, the whole opposi-
ton was ranged, not upon thing Of sub
stance or principle, but solely rs 10 a tech
meal form Of legislation, which the Repub-
Leans had initiated and extensively prac-
tiscd, even to the extent of depriving An
DREW JOHNSON OF his constitutional right
as Commander-in-Chiefo Of the army.
Therefore this excitement and agitation,
by which the public business has been de-
layed and the public mind disturbed has
had nothing to rest upon but a mere
sham. When driven into n corner from
which escape was impossible the Repub-
lican leaders confessed the proposed lcgis-
laton was right in ITSELF and they were
prepared to vote for it separately, but they
objected to the method Of the majority for
carrying it into effect! This was the best
case they were able to present at the end Of
the debate, and when the vote was about 10
emphasize the public condemnation OF a
factious and unworthy obstruction.
II an amendment to the Army bill forbid
ding tho Use Of troops az the polls IL not
gcrnane, then there Is no sense in the rules
OF the House Of Representatives. Congress
has entire power TO raise and equip an army
and to define tho objects for which IT may be
used. In the exercise Of that power the
Republicans, during a state Of civil war
February p, 1850 passed an act Of which
the following section u the Revised Statutes
contains the essence, which Is repeated in
section 5j2s:
SECTION 2oo2 ~ military or naval officer or other
person engaged in the civil. military naval service Of
the United states shall order BRING keep have under
his authority control any troops ARMED men at the
place where any general or special election s hed Boo
any State unless t Doe necessary 10 rcpel the armed
en- mies Of the United states. iesr ne ras it DO I
That political legislation was Intended
and employed to control elections in several
States for the benefit Of the Republican
party by the int.mdatng presence Of troops
Mt the polls under the false pretence Of
keeping the peace" After fourteen years
have passed away, and it is to be supposed
that constitutional practices have returned,
it is proposed to blot out from this war
statute the clause that allows the army to
be converted into partisan machine at the
polls. This IS all OF it, and this is the only
prctcXt for the violent course Of the kcpub-
llcans in the House.
Party pride and party consistency may
induce the Republican leaders in the Senate
10 sustain the erroneous policy Of theiI
friends In the House. even at the expense OF
their sagaclty, and with distrust that after
all HAYES may sign the bill. II that course
should he taken their position will ncces-
sarily be weakened and the country will be
indisposed to make much account Of then
opposition, when the other repeating meas
uros shall be offered in the Legislative, tx
ecutiye, and judicial bill.
Both sides have been lighting for position
looking entirely TO the Presidential contest
next year. The Republicans sought to re-
yiye the sectional issue, and went back a
quarter Of century TO galyanze the dead
md buried politics Of that period, as if ther,
was no question Of interest for the suffering
millions Of this day worthy 10 attract the
attention OF Congress, They failed, anc
failure at such IA time and under such cir
cumstances, after forcing the fight, Is not q
good beginning for the Presidency in 1850.