Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-21
Pronosed Rennhliean CHANGE of Base.

Proposed Republican Change OF Base.
We see by late Washington advices
that the Republicans are preparing for a
change of base. Public opinion Is so
crystallizing against them because of
their course in obstructing public bust
ness, and ~clogging the wheels Of the ad-
ministration so that they may carry out
their bargain with Malone, that they are
beginning to see the necessity for a diff
ferent policy, and hence, it is stated,
they propose to agree to go into execu-
tive session and confirm the most i'm
poTtant nominations of the President.
After this isdonei it is on the programme
to recommeuce the fight e the offices,
and thus they hope to place the Demo
Gratis in the same unenvisble position in
which they have placed themselves, viz:
chargeable with %prolonging the session
and neglecting the public welfare for the
sake of the spoils.
Had the Republicans adopted this
plan from the first they might possibly
have had the Democrats at the disadvan-
tage they desire. They could have then
come before the country with the pres
tige of having shown a willingness to
promptly discharge the duties for which
the Senate was specially convened, and
they could, probably successfully in
case of a deadlock, have trans.
ferred the responsibility of a
prolonged session upon their opponents.
But now they have lost their chance. If
they once back down now from the posi-
ton they have so boastfully maintained no
matter if they do enew the fight after
ward, they will virtually confess that
their past course was wrong, and that
the Democrats were in the right. The
latter can then advantageously take the
position that the public business being
transacted, the next step is an adjourn
ment, and in this also they will receive
the approval of the intelligent men of
the country.
Again, if the session is prolonged by
the Republicans through the summer,
there will be afforded the Democrats
another strong advantage. Without
Malone the Republicans are in a mi
nority, and it will be absolutely neces-
sary for that Senator to be in Virginia in
time to participate in the approaching
campaign in that State if he wishes to
secure the success which is so vital to
his future prospects. If he leaves his
seat, however, he abandons his party,
for without his vote the Republicans are
in a minority. The Democrats can then
control the Senate-since no Democrat
will consent to pair with him-and the
victory for which they have been con.
tending will be won.
Thus the Democrats have decided ad-
vantage over their opponents in every
respect. They appear both as the cham
pion of right and honesty, and in
favor of dispatching necessary public
business without delay, both of which
positions must commend them to the
favor of the people, and, while this is so,
their opponents cannot actively carry out
their schemes in Virginia without yield
ing up control of the Senate. AS 3 con-
temporary-whose name we have for
gOtten-recentlY truly remarked, 'the
Democrats as a minority are a grand
success" 1t might be added with equal
force and truth: 1.-THE Republicans as a
majority of one. that one Malone,
are a elf-embarrassing and ignominious
failure"