Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-02-12

MR.. FERNANDO WOOD the other day
prevented a political discussion IN the
House by inserting an objection. Two
or three ex-Confederates were on the
floor at the time,> anxious TO reply to
Conger's stinging observations on the
tendency of the Democratic side of the
House to employ phrases that avoid the
words treason and rebellion" when al
lusions to the last war are unavoidable.
Mr.. Woods objection cut off all chance
for reply, and was made because he
thought it "unwise and Improbable" for
his side to allow it to 60 on.
The experiences of the extra session,
and the political results that followed,
convinced the managers in Congress
that it would not be wholesome to the
party to project into the regular session
the line of offensive assault that was
then pursued. There was great haste
then to get at the enemy and storm his
works by main force. and there was en-
ulation who should be first and fore
most in the attack. The fiery Briga-
diers of the South were no more enthu-
Si2stic than the civilians of the North.
the fray as our own Ohio Senator,
whose red bandana is as famous in the
political arena as the white plume of
Henry of Navarro was on the field of
battle.
The policy of the extra session was
dictated by the assumption that some
issue could be made that would consoli-
date the Democracy North and South,
and divide and distract the Republicans.
But it resulted iii precisely the opposite
effect. 1t arrested all symptoms of Re-
publican disintegration, brought Liber-
ais and stalwarts on the same platform,
while it contributed to an increase of
difference and dissensions in the Demo-
cratic ranks. 1t was a miScalculation
of causes and effects for which the Dem
ocratic leaders have of late shown a
masterful capacity.
The opposite policy of repression and
suppression is now practiced. The la
borious task of sitting still and saying
nothing has so far succeeded, but it is
becoming irksome, and the difficulties
of persisting in it are daily augmenting.
No Democratic Senator or Representa-
tive takes his ssat at the morning ses-
sion without feeling of apprehension
that an explosion will take place before
adjournment. There are the finances,
the tariff, the consideration of claims,
the appropriations, and multitude of
questions and side issues, upon any of
which debate may break out which
will pass beyond the reach of the manip-
ulators. and culminate in speeches of
such fiery eloquence on the Southern
side as will remind the country of the
scenes Of the extra session, and bring
out in strong light the animus of the men
who laid off the uniform of the rebel
lion only to put on the toga of the patri-
OF purposely to obtain in the one the sub
stantial results which they failed to ac-
complish in the other.
A party that is afraid of its own rep
resentatives, and puts padloeks on their
mouths lest they blurt out sentiments
prejudicial to its interests, is not in an
enviable position. 1t is so plainly a
matter of expediency that no intelligent
man can be deceived by it; and nothing
so well illustrates it as the old tradition
of the ostrich hiding its head in the
sand under the delusive notion that the
whole body is concealed. This policy
of silence is probably as great mistake
at this time as its opposite was during
the extra session. 1t is perfectly under
stood, if the gag was removed, that the
old reactionary spirit would flame up as
luridly menacing as during the extra
session. 1t exists; repression does not
extinguish it; and it might as well, so
far as the country is concerned. be al
lowed unrestricted manifestation. 1t
would at least show that the party lead
ers are not cowed by apprehensions of
political disaster. and had confidence in
the capacity of the party to win the vic
tory in November by bold display of
its colOrs.-Cin. Com.