Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-04-13
The Deadlock.

The deadlock in the senate still continues
The debate during the past week has been
characterised by greater dignity and has
been comparatively free from those impas.
stoned episodes introduced by the fiery ele
ment that participated in the discussion
during its earlier stages. Senators Sher.
man, Bayard, Hoar and Hawley have added
character and given clear and sharply de-
| fined lines to the issue in which the nearly
| evenly divided forces of the senate chamber
have joined with resolution that discloses
no signs of yielding. Senator Bayard, in
the debate on Wednesday, characterised
the alliance with Malone as invasion, an
usurpation, to which was added the terrible
crime of corruption, and an endorsement by
the republicans of reputation, and on these
grounds justified the efforts of the democrats
to prevent the contamination of republican
schemes by resisting the election of the Off
GERS of the senate. To this broad charge
Senator Sherman replied:
"When the dictates of minority went beyond
a reasonable delay, it became treason. Fifteen
from doing single act, and could break up the
government Under the rules Of the senate this
government might be as absolutely destroyed as
the southern confederates would have destroyed
it If they had succeeded. The rules were intended
- l.. -.--.-I I'LL. .-~-e- sd jed. ..e.t.
doctrine of the right of the majority to rule must
prevail. Minorities had certain rights to inter-
pose dilatory motions in order to delay and weary
out the will of the majority but when they passed
those rights they entered upon dangerous ground.
He informed the other side that the republicans
A.
shield and protect him with their strong arm II
democrats attacked him, they attacked the repub-
licans. II the election of Riddleberger would
strengthen the republican party then the republi-
can senators were justified in eecting him There
was not a democratic senator who would not be
governed by a political motive like that. To call
1t corrupt or dshonorable was TO use term that
was totally unworthy. We buy no man. We
barter with no man. We have made promises to
no man. There has been no promise made; no
hope or expectation of reward held out; nothing
that is corrupt. Our motives for entering into the
movement are as patent as the day, as light as
the sun, and can be proclaimed from every house
top and every stump. We give our hand to the
senator from Virginia, because we believe that we
will thus advance the public interests and break
down that bitter spirit in the south which has
extending our help and aid to these men in ex-
pressing their opinion (even II we do not agree
with that opinion, while aidings them in defend
ing themselves against the ostracism of a great
anu PoWcIiul stCtlOudl party, we are 0Ong good
to our country. And we propose to carry out
that policy In carrying out that policy we do
more good to the south than we do to ourselves
Al movements looking to reputation come from
democratic governments. The cutlery against
Riddleberger as being tainted with Reputation
could not come with good grace from the dem
ocratic party which had been the author and
promoter OF every proposition Of reputation ever
made in the United States. .
Now, sir, resume the argument: look over it all
Here Is a proceeding that is admitted to be, IL
carried To an extreme extent, revolutionary and
dangerous, which blocks the wheels of govern
ment, prevents our discharge of the public BUSH
ness prevents our going into executive session.
unless, forsooth, the majority will yield to the
minority in regard to the order OF business. II
revolutionary expedients and violation OF the
rules OF the senate are TO be justified In these mat
tiers, why not in greater matters? II the majority
once yield to the minority this right of controlling
the order OF disposing of what they will there il
an end OF orderly elaboration in this body No.
SIR It Is better, as OF old, when one party goes out
and another comes in, that the party going out
should accept the inevitable with meekness and
Kindness Both parties are subject to these con-
nitlons, and whenever a majority OF one, or even
the bare constitutional majority of the casting
vote appears on one side or the other, the power
ought to be cheerfully and in friendly way
handed over to the other, very much as an Eng
llsh minister would say, Well, gentlemen, be-
leve am right, but the house of commons has
decided that am not, by one majority; my mes
sage goes to the Queen, and she will send for the
leader Of the opposition. This is the only course
OF business. appeal to senators to allow us TO
proceed with the ordinary course OF business let
US take the vote on the pending resolution The
majority have shown their desire to do il; and
you ought not to resist it any further than to get
your absentees in, or any further than TO secure
iuli opportunity for the friendly debate you desire
10 carry on. You may denounce us for our con.
nection with the senator from Virginia We will
take care OF that You may denounce us for yot-
ing Tor MIR. Riddleberger. We will take care OF
that. Anything that you ask of us in reason we
VIII yield without any solicitation. But, sir, when
you say to u.s. Though now in the minority, we
Will not let you go on with the public business ex
eept as we shall dictate, you put us in position
where we cannot surrender our position without
endangering the institutions OF our country, with.
out endangering the laws Of every deliberative
body that ever existed since defberation was
known in political bodies. The majority must
rule; the minority must have its rights; those
rights must be respected TO the last extent, even
to personal discomfort, to secure full debate to
get In their absentees, to public attention
That Is reasonable and fair But when that ia
exhausted, then the inevitable must come, or we
have in this country nothing but Mexican repub-
lie; we have a republic in the power OF fifteen
senators to break II up at their will and pleasure
under the rules, because we cannot even change
the rules 30 as to defeat an attempted revolution