Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-11-29
THE DUTY OF DEMOCRATIC
CONGRESSMAN.

for Presidential election. Ever since
1876, the Democratic majority has been
sacrificing almost every public interest,
in preparing for the great struggle
which has now ended. The session of
that winter was mainly devoted to the
electoral controversy; then came inves-
tigation of "the great fraud" and of al
most everything else conceivable, with
a view of influencing public opinion
and afterward the struggle to gain favor
for the Democratic party by repeating |
the Resumption act, pleasing the in
fationists, coming silver, tearing down
the tariff, and arresting the tide of pros
perity which, it was clearly foreseen by
Mr.. Tilden, would operate powerfully in
favor of the Republicans. When that
line of tactics had failed, the Democra-
tic majority began its desperate effort
to sweep away the election laws. Re-
Gently, 1t is notorious, that majority has
not dared to take any action upon i'm
portant measures affecting the public
business, because it might thereby i'm
pair Democratic chances of success in
the Presidential election. Thus, as re-
spects any practical good to be gained
by legislation, we have had Do-Noth-
ing Congress for four years. The case
was not much better during the latter
half of President Grants last term.
When the Democrats obtained MAORI
ty in the House, they straightway be-
gan to devote their whole time to prep
arations for the contest of 1876. 1t is
at least six years since Congress has
been sufficiently free from the pressure
and control of partisan anxieties, parti-
san greed, and partisan rancor, to give
decent attention to public needs.
The country has held the Democratic
party responsible for this neglect. A
host of members have been turned out,
who will see the halls of Congress no
more. A powerful Democratic majority
has been destroyed by public disgust,
to make room for Republican majority
which will take charge next year. obi
um for the conduct of their party still
attaches to some Democratic members
who are capable of useful public SER
vice. 1t rests with them to say wheth-
err the popular resentment toward them
shall increase, or be diminished by an
honest effort this winter to do some
good. If the public distrust of the
Democratic party. as to its capacity fol-
attending to the real needs of the coun.
ty, can be lessened at all, the better
men of that party have one more chance
to lessen it this winter.
The sensible course for members is t.
devote themselves to the public business
like honest and capable men. The APP
portionment is the only political matter
upon which there will be any tempta
ton to spend time.
Congress ought to give its full atten
ton to the important public bushes
which has been so sadly neglected
Provision ought to be made without de
lay for refunding the bonds about t
. become redeemable. Many other mat
ters will at once suggest themselves
The Administration will soon 60 out @
, power. Even partisan animosity Ca
, hardly suspect it of a desire to close it
career with recommendations not worth
of approval. 1t is the popular jude
ment that it has been. upon the who'll,
q very good Administration, especial
O in its care of those practical bushes
matters which Congress has so niue
o neglected. Its purity. honesty of pu
pose, and ability, have undoubtedl
9 contributed much to the recent Republ
a can triumph. If it is the desire
= Democratic members of Congress, befol
i they pass from power, to qualify
4 some measure the public feeling TIL
p the Democratic party is either who'll
r incompetent or wholly unfaithful,
), would be wise to consider that the su
- gestions of this Administration are n
a. unlikely to accord with the public wi
,. and at all events are certain to be +
h. ceived with respect and attention by t
o. people.-Iribuue.
e. Godey'S Lody's Book for Decemb
e closes the one hundred and first volun
d. We have noted its course through t
ct wear. and are free to say that its pl