New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-02
A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS

peculiar swedish smell of the breath the
surgeons state, is sure indication of the dis
ease called pyDmia, or blood poisoning. We
are forcibly reminded of this circumstance
| upon reading in a Democratic journal an ear
nest appeal to the party TO do for the name
Democracy here what the XLIVth Congress did
Tor 1t in the country ut large-male it sweet
smelling III the nostris of the people, That
the Democracy did get into the condition of a
pyGmc patient, and was near deaths door
from poisoning of the blood, had been sus-
pectcd before, but il is little surprising to find
Democratic journal admitting the fact.
But how marvellous it is, in all seriousness
to find journalists speaking in such terms of
approval Of the XLIVth Congress! Does il not
forciby illustrate the absolute incapocitv Of
Democratic leaders and journalists for apnre
ciating the state of public opinion I'm Dlain
truth, the country had never been more COM
pletely Disguised by any legislative or other
political body within the memory of living
man, than by tho behavior of the Democratic
majority in that Congress and the disgust has
been increasing. Men may possibly din or rs 10
the justice of this feeling. The fact that il az
listed and still exists, has been demonstrated in
the most convincing manner, and it is 10 wonder
that single individual can anywhere be found
even among that purblnd class the leaders of
Democracy, who has not observed the manifes
tations of that feeling. Indeed, many of the
ablest Democratic Journalists frankly and with
great pain have admitted that Congress had
brought tho party into disgrace, had impaired
public confidence in tho party, and had gone far
to insure Republican victory. In scores of
articles these journalists sternly rcbuLed the
Democratic majority for throwing away the
hnlf sl,a tI,,., Ill
The failure of the Democratic party. in
spite Oh rare polItlca opportunities, in the cleo
tons OF 1877 and 1873 and its overwhelming
defeat at tho elections last year, was sufficient
proof that the behavior of Congress had dis
gusted the people. At its latest session this
Democratic Congress behaved not better. but
even worse. In financial matters it brought
about needless and violent panic, by passinp
dishonest measure intended TO plumber nuhlc
creditors and drive the national banks ont Of
existence. In matters of taxation it outraged
the business interests of the country by neglect
ing everything that ought to have been done
and disturbing Ill industry and trade bv con.
tlnual threats OF mischevOus legislation. In
politics 1t insulted the country by turning out
duly elected representatives and by INSISTING
upon the repeal OF all laws that aim to prevent
fraud in elections. Having been previously
restrained by Republican Senate, Congress-
disclosed its spirit fully when both branches
were Democratic. Base, INSCRIPTIONS blind
and malignant partisanship ruled its action.
ana the people saw it 30 clearly that thousands
or independent and conservative voters in
every State where the voting is free, turned
from the Democratic party and voted against
1t. In the face of all these facts, could there ho
more absurd untruth than the assertion that y
Democratic Congress has "madc the name
Democracy understanding in the nostrils of the
people
Inc one fact which more than all others
makes tho Democratic party incompete,t ~
gain or to keep power is that il is utterly unable
to perceive or to understand public opinion. II
never yet has recognized the fact that the conn
Try holds the Democratic party responsible for