National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-04-04
THE SITUATION IN CONGRESS.

W uhunkS Ior MS umely lnulsCfeuOn.
THE SITUATION In CONGRESS.
The Democrats came into power in both
Houses of Congress at the opening of the
present session, intoxicated with success,
and reeGng under its influences like a
drunken man who had lost and could not
regain his equipoise. In this way they
have done some very absurd and ridiculous
things. They seem to have parted company
with good sense and sound judgment, if
they ever had any, as well as with parlia-
mentary amenity and proper respect for
themselves, for their colleagues in the mi
nority, and for the welfare of the common
country. In the Senate, where courtesy
has uniformly held court, the earliest his
tory of the present session represents the
new-hedged majority as assuming an inso-
lent and overbearing attitude toward the
minority, as if they and their constituents
ceased to have any rights in Congress when
the Democrats attained to majority
in the body. The arrogance thus
displayed was most unfortunate for the
majority, for it presented to the coun-
try sad and humiliating spectacle
of the intoxication Of power and its offen-
sive and, we may say, indecent use. The
point was sharply and very Extensively
made by the Democrats that they proposed
to exercise the power they had attained for
party advantage, as the slave driver used
the lash in the days of slavery to compel
obedience at the expense of right, justice,
and humanity. The general welfare, under
these behests is entirely subordinated to
party advantage, and the minority is now
treated rs the slave was treated before the
rebellion-by the domination of brute force
Reason, proper respect for the amenities
of parliamentary usage, and q care for the
public interest have all been wiped out by
the rude hand of unrestricted power The
minority have been substantially and inso-
lently told by the Democrats on the floor of
the Senate, ave have the power to do as
I'VE please, and we propose to exercise that
power in our own way, and it will become
"you of the minority to submit in humility
" and tnmeness to our behests, be they what
" they may" Simmered down, this is what
the language of Senator SALISBURY and
Others inferentially amounted to when they
began lecturing the minority, TO teach them
that they must now content themselves with
menial positions and relations in the Senate
of the United States which had becom e
Democratic property and an estate where
a feature of the "divine institution " was
to be restored in practice if not in fact
The country is already moved to deep and
unutterable disgust by these antics Of
power--a feeling which will at the proper
time make itself manifest in unmistake-
able displeasure.
In the House the examples of the Senate
have been faithfully initiated. An attempt
to rule that body with an iron sceptre in
the hand OF the majority aroused minor
ity which, though less in numbers, possesses
a preponderating power of intellect and
experience, and that soon brought into play
forces which might have slept had they not
been challenged to the field by sense OF
danger to the country. The intoxication OF
power on the part of the majority put aside
all seuse of right, propriety, and justice in
The first step was in the direction of revo-
luton. The first measure introduced for
consideration was one of wrong and
menace. II was an appropriation
bill ostensibly for the support Of the Gov
ernment, but which contained provision
of absolute wrong to the country, and which
aimed blow at the most sacred right Of
American citizenship-protection in free
peaceful, and unmolested exercise of the
right of suffrage. This was challenge OF
the minority to take the field in behalf O.
the right, and it was accepted cheerfully
| and bravely, and the battle is now raging
with marked advantage to the minority
Armed with the right and backed by til,
loyal sentiment of the nation when danger
menaces its welfare, the Republicans have
accepted the issue as presented with bold
ness and power that is challenging the ad
miration and applause of the country ant
carrying dsmay into the Democratic rank
here and elsewhere. The wickedness ant
attempts to subordinate every interest in
the Government and every right of th'
people to mere partisan ends has been 81
ably and forcibly assailed by the Republi
cans in the House that the majority
have made no courageous or successful
defense of their measure On the frs
forward Republican movement the Demo
Gratis were put on the defensive. The bat
terry of argument and eloquence has been il
full play upon the enemy's intrenchment
until he has been seized with alarm and de.
moralization, aud has sounded truce tina
is to take effect to-day, when the firing viii
cease and the question at issue will b.
brought TO vote. In this engagement tn
Republicans have borne themselves nobl,
and bravely before the country, and thougl
they may be outvoted in the House of Rep
resentatives they have intrenched them
selves with increased and increasing strength
in public confidence, respect, and admira
ton They have made history for the coun
try and have compelled the Democrats Il
make history for themselves that they viii
deeply regret when they are summoned a
the bar of public opinion to answer for thi
new and wicked attempt at revolution.
!
THE CoLoRED EXODUS.
When Senator WINDOWS proposition I,
relieve the colOred people Of the South from
| their expressions on account of race, color