Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-09
The Democratic 0nnortunitr.


ling has expressed determination to an
tagonize the administration in the matter
of the Robertson nomination at any cost,
and without regard to results, while,
on the other hand, the President has al
ready boldly flung the gage Of battle in
the face of the Conkling faction, by not
only refusing 10 withdraw the name
of Judge Robertson, but also by with
drawing all the nominations of Conk-
ling's friends which he had previously
made. Thus the issue is joined, and the
struggle has begun.
The Democrats can use this rupture to
their advantage in two ways. First.
They can look on complacently, and
hold the balance of power between the
two warning factions, and so, to great
extent, control nominations and confirm
atoms. II they adopt this plan they
must do so solely as partisans, and seek
only to strengthen the Democratic party
in the country. They can, in this case,
watch the battle from afar, feeling that
if Garfield kill Conkling, or Conkling-
kill Garfield. or each do kill the other,
every way makes their gain.
The second plan left open for the
Democrats to pursue, to their advantage
at this juncture, is to array themselves
in mass against the stalwarts under the
leadership of Conkling, and declare in
favor of the administration. To adopt
this in preference to the other plan,
would, it seems to US, be by far the
wiser and more patriotic course. By
holding aloof from the struggle and pre-
serving to themselves the balance of
| power IN the Senate, Democratic Sena
tors viii be masters of the situation, it
is true, but that would. perhaps, only be
a temporary, and certainly would be
only a partisan advantage. They
would still retain the enmity
of both the opposing Republican
factions, and, in this way, would furnish
a common bond of union between those
factions after the struggle is decided, for
Republicans are noted for quarrelling
among themselves with great bitterness,
but for settling their disputes, and work
ing together tremendously on all impor
| tant occasions. If therefore the Demo
Gratis adopt the first plan mentioned
herein, in the next national contest the
the parties will be arrayed solidly against
each other, and the struggle will be as
heretofore, simply one between the old
Republican and the old Democratic or
CARNATIONS. Should they determine
to support the administration in its
present contests, however, they would
secure to the country. and to their
party, permanent and substantial ben
efits, The President could not help
from recognizing the valuable service
which they would do him ia the fight
with the stalwarts of his party, and, at
the very least, would be inclined to feel
kindly towards the Democratic party
of the Union. This would, in all
probability, secure conservatism to
the country during his administra
ton, and the result would, most
likely, be breaking up of the "solid
North, destruction of the sectionalism
which at present exists throughout the
country, and which is so greatly de
| ,,1o-,1 o,I tba 4a4oI JicoOy,, fit,,ro Of flo
stalwarts who do so much to promote
this feeling. In a word, it would tend to
make Mr. Garfield more determined
than ever to be President of the whole
country, and so the blessings of conser
vaatism would be everywhere felt and
enjoyed. Indeed the end might be
that a grand conservative party would
be formed against the stalwarts, which
in 1884 would sweep down all opposi
ton.
The Democrats can take this stand
with perfect consistency. Dir. Garfield
has done some things since his Inaugural
ton which, of course, cannot meet Demo
cratic appreciation. Notably among
these are his encouragement of the Ma
hone repudiationists, and the nomina-
lions ofStanley Matthews and William E.
Chandler He has, however, done many
other acts of which the Democratic par
ty and the whole country can, and do,
most cordially approve. He is making
meritorious investigation into the star
route frauds, and promises to thorough
ly expose and eradicate the swindle, root
and branch, while his determined fight
against the insolent demands of the stall
wart sectionalists is worthy of all COM
mendation and encouragement. Surely
the Democracy can do no greater service
to the country and themselves than to
hold up his hands in both these matters,
especially as the end may be the extinc-
ton of deplorable sectionalism, and the
establishment of wise and healthy con
servatism in the land To bring this
about is alone an object worthy the am
bition of any party. We feel sure the
great majority of the Democratic Sena-
tors, should there be presented any like
lihood of this hope being realized, will
lose sight of all lesser matters and bend
every energy towards its accomplish
ment
|
The per cent bonds embodied in the