The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-06-19
PARTY BLINDNESS.

l
-
The New York Graphic is rot a
party paper in the usually accepted
sense OF the term, but is, neverthe,
less, a paper OF decided Republican
party proclivitiss. 1t never fails 10
punch the Democratic party's head
when it gets a chance, and is always
ready to give praise to the Repnbli-
can party when it Fan with proprie-
ty do SO. 1t does not like the pnsi
tion the Republican party leaders in
Congress have taken in regard te
the questions which brought abo,it
the extra session, and it volunteers
some advice. On the propriety of it
doing so it says: "Ofering advice
is generally a thanklcss tssk. The.
Graphic has avoided going into that
line Of business but it has not shirk-
ed the unpleasant duty Of speaking
out in meeting when it was necessa-
ry to SO do. Our readers will bear
us witness that when we have given
advice it has generally been proved
wise by the event" 1t then pro-
ceeds to state its views, by way Of
advice, to the Republicans OF Con
gress.
1t tells them that the wisdom of
their opposition to the clause in the
army bill about troops at the polls
sis extremely questionable" and
that before it is too late they should
reconsider their determination to
resist to the uttermost the passage
of this legislation" The Graphic
thus states, in general terms, the un
tenableness of their position.
"The Republican party is in the
minority in Congress. It's leaders
can not be held responsible for leg
islation. The Democratic party is
in the majority in Congress. Its
leaders will be held responsible to
the country for the use of their pow.
er. The majority rules in Congress
as well as in the country. The ma
iority must be permitted to choose
not only the subjects of Legislation
but the modes in which that legisla
tion shall be effected. This is {
fundamental principle in II govern
ment. And it is fatal to tile preten
sions of the Republicans. Subjcc
to the Constitution of the United
States and the rules of each house
the Democratic majority have ful
liberty of legislating for the country
This liberty naturally flows from TIL
fact Of the Democrats composing
majority of Congress. If the Re
~publicans did not wish to: G tn
Democrats enjoying full liberty 9
legislation, they should have REMAIN
: ed the majority party. When the
, have become a minority, they mus
elput up with its Inconvenience. Re
| publicans must remember that whe
in a majority, they we're not Yer
e careful to consult Democratic prejt
dices or preferences in choosing TIL
+ subjects or methods of Legislation
Democratic whining and denuci;
ton of revolutionary methods" di
no good then. The country was the
with the Republicans. Can the R
publicans now expect that sinyin
{ the old songs will do them an
e good?"
: That is sound, sensible ia K, an
the following remarks not less s
Says the Graphic: "The countl
wants rest and quietness. All form
of trade and industry demand thcr
It Will Republicans precipitate on /
all a bitter political struggle, whie,
according to Their. own admission
is purposeless?:" General Ga
field does not defend the presence.
troops at the polls. He leaves it
i he understood that he would vo
n for the obnoxious section if it we
it in a separate bill. They will not e,
J. their breakfast because tho wait
y did not wear '.kid gloves" I'll
Graphic concludes with the folio,
ling sensible advice 10 its Republ
e can friends:
sin any case, the Republicans a
y now placing themselves ina fall
position. They are taking,up greur
which they will be compelled, 500
J er or later, to abandon. If Republ
cans are wise they will make the
record clear ON the questions that Il
e majority bring before Congress, al
le not contest its right to legislatef
% its own way. They will avoid tee
nicalities. They will rot sho
q against the mode of effecting reior
e. which they think needful. Let the
J. be men as well rs partisans, and co
70 cede to the Democratic majority t
: same control over legislation wifi
', they exercised when in a majority
1t Congress. These suggestions a
lie made in the interest of the Repub
Ie can party. OPP: osition for its oV
:, sake never has and never will chan
a minority party into a majority"
If the country does not get the
pose it needs, and all forms Of ira
and industry are retarded by poll
OF cal agitation, the country can pla
it to the factious p~artisanship of t
to Republican leaders in Congress, W
1 seem determined to break things,
re cause deprived by the people of t
lS power to rule.