Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-05-29

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gone over to the Radical party.
TEse Effect OF the Veto.
! The man who believes that tile
Democratic party has suffered
defeat IN the veto of the bill pro-
hibitlug military inter ference in
elections is badly mistaken indi-
vidual. Considered merely from a
partisan standpoint, tue veto mes
sage of President Hayes is the
best campaign document that can
be used by the party in the next
National canvass. If The President
had given the bill his approval, ha
would have divided the glory of
having done something toward Il
practical restol alton of fraternity
between the sections and Il return
to the civi! methods that should
prevail III tipo OF peace, with the
Democra' party. Failing 10 do
tins, he has placed himself on the
other side Of the question and is
in the most vulnerable position
that can be occupied by a public
man in these latter times. The
majority in Congress have failed,
1t is tue, to do the good work con-
templnted by them, but the respon-
sibility of that failure does not
rest with them. They did all that
the people required of them when
they defended and passed the Till
providing for elections free from
the autocratic power of the hayo-
net. Nothing farther is expected
of them, and they will do more
than Is expected of thom if they
attempt to Ignore the constitutional
right, or rather discretion of the
President to veto any bill that may
come to his hands. Congress has
done all that it can do, and now
the question must meet its fitting
Judgment at the hands of the peu.
pie. The issue has been made ;
Congress declar es in favor of uu-
trammeled elections the President
favors military supremacy. We
believe that it is the duty Of Con-
gress TO pass the regular appropri.
alton bills, as soon rs it may be
necessary, and 10 this without re
gard to the action of the President.
Ii President Hayes violates the
spirit Of the Constitution, it is his
fallt and be will ore day be made
to answer fer it. The Democrats
cannot make their case stronger
by proceeding to questionable ex-
themes in their endeavors to work
a real reform AS the question
stands at present, the Democratic
party las not been in q position
since the war to win such popular
enthusiasm and to command such
universal respect as they are on
this Issue. Much, if not all, of this
respect will be- forfeited and the
enthusiasm Of the party will be
if our leaders in Con-
grcss compromise themselves by Il
resort to methods of questionable
propriety in dealing with the op-
position. The party has made IL
reputation for conservatism that
will secure to its support thousands
of the Independent voters of the
country. We 80 into the next can
vass as the champions of constitu-
tloual liberty and rs the toes of
autocratic power, save that inhe-
rent in tho will of Il free people.
We see no disposition among the
majority in Congress to refuse the
necessary to suS-
tain tho branches of the Goveln-
ment service to which app!oprIa-
tiuus have not already been made,
and VIC trust that nothing OF the
sort IS medTated. Such policy
viii destroy the victory now rest
ing with them. What little respect
remains in the minds Of the mas>ea
for the men and policies of the
Republican party, exists bocau-e
Of tho professions OF ref"rm ill.,
duIged III hy the present Execu-
tive at the outset Of his udlninis-
tration and by his avowal of a lib.
eral and intelligent national poll
cy. The promises of reform in
the civil service were broken long
ago, and the veto message of few
days ago shows that the Ir sident
is powerles to control his party
for the right. Having lost the re-
spect and confidence of the indie
pendents, and there are thousands
of them in the country, Pre- -ident
Hayes has lost the next race for
his party. Believing this TO bo
true, We hope soon to hear that
Congress has accomplished its
necessary Iabors and adjourned.
To longer daily will be hazardous.
The true policy to secure to US the
substantial frnits of victory i,
conservative one.-hnorriNe TrtL.