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

Perhaps one of the ablest 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 a reorganization of the
Senate, deemed it proper to conciliate
him by prominent position. He is a
profound lawyer, and in every way quail
ifed 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 obli-
CATION than did four years ago. I had
been identified with the Republican
party, and still look back with pride to
It's grand achievements. The extreme
measures after the war and the excuses
Incident to the civil strife drove tens of
thousands into the liberal movement of
1872. I found myself in company with
Charles Sumner, Horace Greeley, Charles
F. Adams, Carl Schurz, Murat Halstead,
Stanley Matthews, r. E. Fentop, John
Wentworth, Samuel Bowles, Lyman
Trumbull, Whitelaw Reid, Leonard
SWEET, and others known to fame, who
had been conspicuous Republicans. Some
of them have returned to the fold from
which they had separated, doubtless
prompted by patriotic motives. / have
never acted distinctively with the Dem
ocratic party, and, unless its methods are
changed and its wisdom is broadened,
there is little prospect of my revising
opinions calmly formed. The country
would be materially benefited by the re-.
construction of both parties, especially
since the errors of one seem to perpetu.
ate the power of the other. Ihave voted
on all public measures according to my
convictions of right, and propose to con-
tinue that course. An honorable recog-
milton of the trust generously confded to
me by Democratic voters in 1877 requires
me to sustain the existing organization of
the Senate, for which l disclaim all re-
sponsibility. Parts of it are neither
agreeable TO my taste nor to my judg-
ment. In giving this vote, it is proper
for me to say that whatever may be the
result, I can accept no honor at the hands
of either side. The country needs rest
from sectional strife. The voice of pa
triotism demands peace and fraternal fel-
lowship, North and South, East and
West. Every good citizen should desire
the success of the administration, for we
all ought to have a common interest in
the glory and greatness of the Republic.
Measures intended to advance either
shall have my cordial support. The
President and his Cabinet are entitled to
fair hearing, and to be judged impair
TALLY by their acts. If they fail to jus
tify public confidence, it will be a mis-
fortune which has overtaken other ad-
ministratious having equally good inten-
tions and prospects. I'shall vote for the
appointment of all these committees
except the Judiciary Committee. Iwish
to retain my old place on the judiciary
Committee, and, although 1 am thankful
to my friends, I must decline the position
of Chairman.