The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-23
THE NEW SENATE.

lCoBli,kcttt tO-tlaN Ill sCCOitdiiNS
with the arrangements made in Re-
publican caucus. Thus the Repub-
lican party, after eight years OF di-
vided power, will again enter into
| full control of the Governmen. in
lall its branches. Leading Demo-
Gratis rot only see that this is newt
able, but recognize that il is best for
their party. The Democrats are not
in position safely TO assume respon-
lsibility for legislation. They are
mol only powerleSs 10 pas bills
which the Executive does not ap-
prove, as they have been hitherto,
but are p9werless heaceforth TO or
iginate measures in either House.
He must be }, very dull Democrat
who does moi see that the country
viii sympathize strongly with a pos
tive and vigorous policy, against
mere obstruction or neeation on any
pretext whatever. Merely as a mat
ter Of partisan tactics, therefore, it
is better for the Democrats to absolye
themselves from all responsibility
for legislation since they can no
longer control it.
Probably there As not Democrat
in either branch Of Congress who
has no; made serious efforts again
and again TO account for the with
drawal of public confidence from
his party, and to comprehend its
causes. II is not yet two years since
that yarty held both the Senate and
the House by large majorities had
every reason TO expect to elect
a President, and haughtily served
notice on the Republicans that they
would have nothing moreto do with
the conduct Of public affairs. "We
are going to run the Government
according to our IDEAS" said the
leading Democrats to their Repub-
lican associates, 'and you can sit
by and look on" Why is it that
the insolent boast was not realized ?
What Is the reason for the Demo
cratic loss, not only of the Presi-
dency, which was supposed to be in
their reach, but of actual majorities
in both houses ofCongress ?
Many reasons have been given, rs
many causes have undoubtedly con-
tributed to the result. But it is
probable that the calm and impair
tial historian, as he looks back upon
this complete though peaceful revo-
luton, viii attribute it mainly to
a cause the very existence of which
Democrats are slow to acknowledge,
namely, the entire lack of Demo-
cratic principles in the Democratic
party. 1t fails to command popu-
lar confidence, and goes down in
every struggle, because there is no
life in II; because il has no convic-
tons nor purposes, common to lis
adherents, except crazy hunger for
office and power.
If the party had any decent aim
or honest belief, il would have seiz-
ed the opportunity. when intrusted
with the control of both branches Of
Congress, TO mature and pass some
practical measures of large public
importance. The country expected
that. l'o- many years legislative
power had been in Republican
hands. 1t was believed that a new
set of lawmakers, if sometimes in
error or greatly lacking in expert
ence, would nevertheless attempt
important changes in the laws,
and that the substantial changes
thus submitted TO popular
Judgment if found to be
wise and practical reforms, could be
carried into effect by the election of
a President who would not inter
pose a veto. The country really
wished tn see what tho Democratic
party wanted. There was feeling
that, although the government had
been so conducted in the main as to
promote the public honor and pros
perity, perhaps decided improve
ments might yet be made by new
men in power. The trial was made.
What did Democratic Congress do?
1t deluged the country with foul
fllsehoods, filed the air with the
clamors OF a greedy, indecent and
unscrupulous partisanship, attempt
ed more than once to destroy the
public credit, to derange Its finances
ard to cripple it in the enforcement
of its laws, but did nothing. In fact,
the net result of n fair trial was a
general conviction that the Deme-
cratic party was utterly incapable
of any other than negative ideas and
destructive aims; that it had no
purpose that was not dangerous
and revolutionary; that it had
neither the wisdom TO propose nor /
the practical sense to mature any
reforms, and was fit only to serve /
as brake Oh the car of Progress.
The results would have been differ
ent, and the public verdict might
have been different, if the Demo
cratic party had really believed in
or had been capable of
any positive policy.
The Republicans viii not fail TO
take warning from the failure of
their opponents. The country wants
not party to tear down, but a par
" to build up. 1t wants in power,
lot men who carp and growl at
everything and know nothing, but
statesmen who can discov-
,r useful and just things to be done,
md who have the practical faculty /
IF doing them. 1t viii not do for
he Republican party to degenerate
nto mere organization hostile to
3oUrbonism. Power is q great trust.
Those to whom it has been given
must use it, with definite and posi-
i've aims, for the good of the coun-
ry, ifthey would retain public con-
idenee and support. The party of
has been sent to the rear.
/ rests with the Republican party
o embody honest aims and ccnvic-
ions in a wise and positive policy.
Disappeared