Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
Organization OF the Senate.

Two years ago the democracy found them
selves with a majority in the United States
senate, and congress, then politically demo-
cratic in both branches, assembled in that
eventful but fatal extra session. 1t was a
great day for the democracy. From every
democratic flagstaff in the land the ban
ners of the party were unfurled, and the
democratic bosom swelled high with triumph
that was but a presage of the glorious mil
lennium when democratic executive should
act in concert with democratic congress.
Republican senators and representatives
were haughtily pushed aside and insolently
reminded that the crack of doom had struck
for them, that their advice was not wanted
and their dictation was at an end. They,
the imperious democracy, proposed to run
the governmental machinery in the future.
Republicans might trot along in the dust by
the wheels of the democratic chariot, but
they should never more sit in the soft seats
of power or hold the reins OF government.
The party in the minority defiantly picked
up the gage of battle so arrogantly thrown
down, audaciously assailed an insolent and
threatening majority, and speedily showed
how inferior was the mere brute force of a
numerical majority to the supremacy of re-
publican brains which, though in the minor
ity,have successfully dominated in all matters
Of pgrsly .paGtis0l alegialating sgaSJh y1Gl"ght
meaning of the scriptural assurance that
"pride goeth before destruction and a
naughty spirit before fall In two short
years the power taken up in the senate with
such grand flourish of trumpets has been
meekly and sorrowfully returned by the
party that had misused it to tear down and
obstruct rather than to build up our national
prosperity and advance the great cause OF
human freedom. Once more complete re-
publican accord exists between the execu-
tive and the legislative branches of govern
ment, and the great party of national unity
and universal liberty resumes under au-
spicious circumstances the beneficent work
interrupted or impeded, but never entirely
dropped, by the sporadic advent of the Bour-
bon democracy to one or two positions of
power.
In another column we give list of the
more important committees adopted at the
formal organization of the senate on Friday.
Vermonters will be proud to see the names
of Edmunds and Morrill, again at the head of
their old committees. However much the av-
erage democrat may regret the loss of power,
the wiser heads in the party must secretly re-
ioice to be placed in a position that relieves
them from all direct responsibility for legis-
lation relating to administrative affairs, and
leaves them in position of freedom to crit
icize the acts and measures of the majority.
With the administration and the popular
branch of congress in the hands of their OPP
ponents, democratic senate would stand a
chance to win as little of glory as of partisan
advantage. The nearly equi-balance of par
ties in both branches of congress should be
a condition favorable to conservative legis-
lation, and when the two houses again meet
the narrow margin by which republicans
will hold power, if no higher motives, should
constantly teach them wisdom in its use.