The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-03-17
sENATOR DAVID DAVIS.

Perhaps one of the ablcst and most
consistent and really independent men in
politics at this time is Senator David
Davis, of Illinois. He and Senator Ma
hone. of Virginia, hold the balance of
power in the Senate, and, therefore, the
Democratic caucus, in arranging the
committees for reorganization of the
Senate, deemed it proper to conciliate
him by o prominent position. He is q
profound lawyer, and in every way quail
ified for the position which they assigned
him of chairman of the Judiciary Com.
mittee, but the Senator was unwilling to
appear to be brought over by promotion,
and therefore declined it in open Senate.
He said:
No man ever entered Congress freer
from political committal or personal obi.
cation than + did four years ago. had
been identified with the Republican
party, and still look back with pride TO
its grand achievements. The extreme
measures after the war and the excesses
incident to the civil strife drove tens of
thousands into the liberal movement of
1872. ! found myself in company with
Charles Sumner, Horace Greeley, Charles
T. Adams, Carl Schurz, Murat Halstead.
Stanley Matthews, r. F. Fenton. John
Wentworth, Samuel Bowles, LYMAN
Trumbull, Whitelaw Reid. Leonard
SWEET, and others known 10 fame. who
hud been conspicuous Republicans. Some
or them have returned to The co;;;i from
which they had separated, doubtless
prompted by patriotic motives. ! have
never acted diAtinctiveIy With The DoT.,.
ocratic party, and, unless its methods are
changed and its wisdom is broadened.
there Is little prospect of nv revising
opinions calmly form cd. The country
would be materially benefited by the re.
construction of both parties, especially
sinca the errors Of one seem to barpetn-
ate the power Of tbe other. Ihave voted
on ell public measures according to my
convictions Of right, and propose to con-
tinue that course. AN honorable recog-
milton of the trust generously confided 10
me by Democratic voters in 1877 requires
me to sustain tho existing organization of
the Senate, for which disclaim all re.
sponsibility. Parts Of it are neither
agreeable TO my taste nor TO my iudR-
ment. In giving this v.te, it Is proper
for me to say that whatever may be- the
result, can accept no ,nor ut the hands
OF either side. The country needs rest
from sectional strife. The voice of pa.
triotiam' demands peace and fraternal ISL
loEship, Moth and South, East and
West. Every good citizen should desire
the success of the administration, for we
| All eGBht to have n common interest In
the glory and greatness of the Republic.
Measures intended TO advance either
Ehall hays my cordial support. The
resident and his Cabinet are entitled to
9 fair hearing, and to be Judged Impair
tally by their acts. If they fall to ius-
tliy public confidence, it WIN be a mis-
fortune which ias overtAken other ad-
minlstrations having equally good inten.
tions and prospects. I.shaIl vote for the
appointment OF all these committees
except tho Judiciary Committee. Iwish
to retain my old place on the Judiciary
Committee, and, although an thankful
70 my friends, Unjust 1ecline the position
of Chairman.