Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-04-17
THURSDAY, APRIL II, 1879. :
BUSINESS.
Has Nothing to Dread. but
Much to Hope for In q Pro-

Much to Hope for I'm q Pro-
lOnged Session of Congress.
Now that the Democrats in Con-
gress have evinced disposition to turn
to profitable account the DELAYS oc-
casioned by Republican p%hillibuster.
ing, that party is more complaining
than ever. The result too of the
spring elections so unexpected, seems
70 have increased its unhappiness. Il
has been SO long accustomed to be in
the majority, that it frets and fumes
over its lost authority, as If the Demo-
Gratis were committing personal
wrongs on its membership by out
voting it. Who would have thought
that after eighteen years Of uninter-
rupted experience in the art of gov
erning. that party would have no
other policy to resort to, except that
Of obstruction. Such a condition is
as poor a commentary upon its ability
to acquire wisdom, rs it is upon its
patriotism. The Republican party
ought to have been better prepared
for what has overtaken it. To saw
nothing of the last presidential cleo
ton, in which a majority of over a
quarter of a million votes was cast
against its candidate, it has been de-
feated in three successive contests
for supremacy in the House of Rep
reseDtatives. 1t ought therefore to
have submitted to unavoidable loss of
the Senate with better grace and not
have threatened TO set up the will. of
one man against that of the nation.
Before Congress adjourns the Re-
publicanswill discover that the present
majority of that body is clothed with
as plenary powers as eve belonged
to them. What if the Democrats
lawfully convened in consequence of
the action of a Republican senate, re-
open the vexed questions of finance
and tariff? 1t is their privilege to do
so. The Republican party has not
been endowed with a patented monop-
oily of presenting issues for the con-
sideration Of the American people.
The Democracy has at least as good
a right to make them, and if the ma
chinery of our peculiar institutions is
to be preserved the Republican party
must sit and listen. 1t was the
theory of those that founded them
that the right course to be pursued
on all occasions would be discovered
amid conflict of opinion, and it was
when the representatives of a great
section refused TO pursue that plan
that government was subjected to a
strain it is to be hoped it will never
have to bear again.
Besides, among those that repre-,
sent advanced theories are men of
unquestioned ability and it is of real
importance that they should be fairly
and fully heard. If the views of some
of those in congress are either un-
sound or dangerous as is co~njectured
in some quarters, the sooner they are
manifested and exposed the sooner
they will be refuted. But what good
reason al be given why a representa-
tive like the Hon. A. II. Buckner
should not introduce and discuss his
silver bill, or that other gentlemen
should not do the same thing in re-
gard to measures they believe will
promote the welfare of the nation.
Surely business interests have moth
ing to dread but much to hope for
from discussions, conducted in the
spirit in which it was designed that
this government shou ld be managed.
Let the session go forward, therefore,
end let the Republicans In. congress
understand that the country expects
them to exhibit q temper capable of
admitting the expression of adverse
opinion and enduring the friction
that necessarily arises from existing
conflicting ideas, prejudlees and pas
sions. Most certainly if the appro-
priation bills are vetoed a prolonged
session will have a tendency 20 keep
down excitement.