Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-24
0uEEAswARs.
THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS IN CON-
GRESS,

THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS IN CON
GRESs.
The fight between congress and the
President, which was badly managed,
ill-timed and great mistake is not
likely to be renewed. Whenever the
Democrats copy after any of the war
legislation, or the extreme measures
of the Republicans, they make a fatal
error. A few Aashy, frothy, smart
members like Blackburn, of Ken
lucky, are responsible for Republican
gains in the recent elections and for
whatever disasters we may sustain in
the Presidential election. The Dem
ocratic par@ always, and we say
properly, condemned the Radicals
when they controlled congress for
tacking on other legislation of an i'm
portant character to the appropriation
bills. Yet the hot headed Dem
ocrats at the extra session
adopted the same "expedient" which
is doubtless one of those alluded to by
Mr.. Bayard in his recent interview.
Nothing brings men to their senses
like defeat. The Blackburns will
have to take back seat in the caucus
and in the House of Representatives
and more practical counsels will pre-.
vail. The bills to repeal the election
laws were well enough, but should
have been sent to the President sepa.
ratelyand upon their own merits alone
The President is at heart
strong partizan, and will always b
found with his party in a crisis, nc
matter what is the issue. Hence ht
vetoed the various bills sent him ant
compelled congress to back down ant
send in an appropriation bill sepa
rately. A Washington special says
The disposition of such Southern
Democrats as have arrived here is no
again to invite conflict with th(
President by renewing the tactics o
the last session. These assume tha
the late elections have demonstrated
that the Northern people are in favo
of maintaining the Federal election
laws; that these laws are almost mop
erative at the South, and therefore th,
members from that section have n,
interest in their repeal. 1t may turl
out that few stalwart Democrats 0
the never surrender sort will hav,
influence enough to lead, their part
into refusing the appropriations
because it would look lik
back down." but it i
evident that the prevailing sentimen
is in favor Of backing down rathe
than engage in another bitter partisan
discussion and the passage Of bills tha
would probably be vetoed. There ar
Southern Democrats who affirm mos
positively that they viii not again b
dragged and driven into such posi-
fion. The army appropriation bi
will no doubt contain the same prov
sions in regard to troops at the poll
that was finally approved by the pres
dent at the extra session. There ar
Democrats who will advise that sepa
rate bills for the repeal Of the electio
laws. and prohibiting any appearance
of the military near the polls, be pas
sod and sent to the president, and TIL
may be agreed to by the party; but
is doubtful If even this much can b
done in the way Of Feviving the hgl
of the extra session, SO strong Is til
determination of some Democrats
avoid any thing of the kind.
The country is well aware thu
Southern Democrats constitute col
servative element, and that the mo
of our members Of Congress have Of
posed all extreme measures. Wac
Hampton said not long since that I'll
utterances of one fool in the Sou'
could undo the work Of statesmen
This we have had illustrated so oftC
that Governor Hampton is not entitlC
to the credit of a ne
discovery. The result Of Il
Ohio and other State elections carrie
by an immense outlay of Federal pa
ronage will give the conseryati'
Democratthe upper hand in the part
and possibly enable them to mo
than regain all lost ground. The bait
of Bull Run was a terrible surprise
the North, but it united the peop
and was worth more to the UniC
cause iu the end than a victory wou
have been. The Ohio election nj
bring forth similar fruit for the Dem
cratic party. We hope to hear mo
from the Wade Hamptcns, the &c
dons, the Casey Youngs in congre'
after this, than from the few hot hea
who have brought defeat upon t
party.
tmupp , s;n0ular oaineidnuon