The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-03

II Is now evident that the present special
Session of Congress, instead Of being devoted
10 the object for which II was convened, will
be converted into battle ground for posi-
ton in the Presidential campaign next year.
DE GOLFER GARFIELD, who was put forward
a. the Republican leader, In his speech on
the Army hil never touched the merits Of
the proposition 20 forbid the presence Of
troops at the polls. lie made general party
harauguc. intended To- revive sectional pas-
sions and to prepare the way for another
agitation OF old issues which have already
vcxcd the public patience too long.
GARFIELD will be followed in the same
temper when the bill gets to the Senate,
where the Stalwarts are preparing for a
united attack with the double view OF push
ing HAYES to veto aud OF putting the DEM
ocrats on the defensive. If THURMAN, BAY
ARD, and the other Democratic chiefs are
weak enough to be drawn aside from the
plain question now before the country, and
a. engage in "A discussion that will bury it
out OF sight they will NOT get much sympa-
thy for sacrificing an advantage which,
once lost cannot easily be regained.
The ground now occupied by the Repub-
1cans in resisting the repeal Of law which
could have been enacted only in a state Of
civil war; is wholly untenable, and the saga
cious leaders well know It. Hence, they
have naturally sought to shift the scenes,
and TO bring something else on the stage 10
divert attention from this subject and to
force their opponents into general debate
outside the simple issue which Is SO easy to
understand, They know, too, that HAYES
has heretofore on different occasions ex-
pressed himself. as many Of themselves
have done, against the presence Of troops at
the polls. and that, unless his preIudices
can bee excited 20 high pitch, he may not
usc the veto n they desire.
II HAYES should sign the Army bill with
The proposed clause. all the theatrical thun-
der which the managers are now cOntriving
would be lost, and the machinery for its
manufacture on a larger scale next year
would have to be cast aside as entirely USE
less. Tie party tomahawk would then be
turned against the Administration, and the
chiefs would contend CALAMITY with each
other for the satisfaction of carrying
HAYEs's scalp at the belt "a a trophy. The
Republicans have foolshly staked too much
Oh a chance in which their opponents have
al immense resource In popular sympathy.
They may br defeated by the man they put
III the White House by fraud.
On the other hand the Democrats are
always ready TO welcome the Trojan horse.
They are not only willing too often TO play
the cards their advcrsaries desire, but they
hand them over sometimes, in an excess oil
compluisance TO be stocked by regular pro-
fessionals. This obliging disposition TO
blunder has almost passed into a proverb,
OF which the last example, when prudence
was necessity ~ the situation. is to be
found in the election OF officers OF the Senate
with tainted records and smirched reputa-
tons.
There never was n palmer road TO travel,
with guide posts at every turn, than the
Democrats now have before them, II they
have sense enough TO follow DAvY CROCK
ErT's advice Be sure you are right, then
go ahead" No American citizen who val
ues the liberty he enjoys, or who has any
respect for free government, wants to see
the army, or any part Of IT, experimenting
elections. Even LOUIS NAPOLEON, in the
height OF his vulgar and corrupt dcspotism.
when the military mounted guard over his
lettering throne had enough respect for
public opinion and Tor appearances TO keep
the troops away from the polls, though they
were near mt hand 10 do his bidding in case
OF necessity. II the Democrats will stick to
the question just as it stands, and refuse 10
depart from it. they will fortify their pres
ent position, and may make 1t impregnable.