New-York tribune., 1881-03-25
DEMOCRATTC OBSTRUCTIHES.

The Democratic party, never HJ home III
power, falls back easily and naturally into It's
accustomed work of obstruction. When DEM
ocratjc organs or leaders speak of future ac-
ton on important matters, they assert with
delight that their party will be able to stop
by filibustering any measure that does not
please them. This is to be expected. The
brake on the car of progress has its Legitimate
function. But it has choice of two modes OF
checking the progress which it hates; one,
legitimate, constitutional and reasonable oppo-
sition; and the other, illegitimate, revolution
ary and unreasoning. 1t is natural that the
Democratic party should choose the latter
Once more. however, We warn the Demo-
Gratis that they are about to commit another
bIunder. Their unspeakable folly while IN
power has caused their defeat. If they now
insist upon a continuance of the same violent
and unreasonable course in opposition, they
will rapidly deprive themselves of the influence
which rightfully belongs to loyal and intelli-
gent minority. 1t is possible to find in the
lowest depths deeper still. 1t is possible for
party 90 to affront the country, and to dis
gust its more reasonable and self-respectlng
members, that it shall lose even the power to
obstruct legislation by filibustering.
The time is ripe for complete disintegra-
ton and dispersal of the elements miscalled
the Democratic party. Its younger members
do not welcome their legacy of defeat. Its
older and more experienced men are weary
of the heavy load of disgrace under which
the party has so long been staggering. Prac-
tical men want some active and useful part
| in the age in which they live, and the So
called Democratic party offers them none. IT
| the party, being in this condition, deyotes
| itself to the work of obstruction and filibus-
tering, is it not probable that the disintegrat-
| ing tendency will be increased 7 Will not its
! more practical, patriotic, experienced and
reasonable members take occasion to get out
of itf For more than quarter Of century
the Democratic party has been getting rid of
its best men in precisely this way. It has
proposed nothing reasonable, offered them
nothing practical. and Disguised its best
friends by q policy of blind, stupid and bar
rem obstruction. Do the Democrats really
think that they can afford to take that course
any longerf
For example, Congress being in session,
either now, or next winter, Republicans
| will propose to refund the maturing
bonds, and to inquire what means can
| be taken to secure to all citizens a
more free and fair exercise of the right of
| suffrage. The Democrats, let US suppose, in
| sist upon bank-smashing bill, or none upon
a wliitewashing investigation, or none. Being
| in the minority, they cease to reason aud be-
gin to filibuster. Now the country will be
| impatient to get business done. Will 1t see
| with indifference the wheels of government
blocked, week after weekf VIII it justify the
| Democrats in demanding that the minority shall
he allowed to dictate the form Of a measure
| to the majority II gre. evil or wrong could
| in no other way be prevented, possibly. But
when the question is only of different ways of
promoting the public good, will revolu-
tionsry policy for mere partisanship be
| tolerated Z
| The Democrats mistake. not only the
temper of the country. but the temper of
their own Congressmen, IL they fancy
that this course can be pursued with
safety. In both houses there will be
| found Democratic members who nave at
| heart practical measures for the benefit
of constituents. VIII these members consent
to block the wheels of legislation indefinitely,
and that for no practical endf They will
| quickly see that persistence in such course
win make the majority hostile to the measures
that they have most at heart. They will see
that nothing can come of Democratic 6ibus-
tering, except stupid and sptteful delay.
viii sensible and practical men stick to such
course very longf
There are incipient Mahones under every
bush al the South. II the Democrats want to
drive out from among them every man who
has an honest and practical aim In public life,
they cannot do 90 more quickly or surely than
nv q corraa of barran ObatructiOn IL did NOT