Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-05-12
THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION.

throughout the country as to the attitude
the Democratic Senators will assume IN
the pending conflict between the Presi-
dent and Senator Conkling. The Senator
claims to have secured pledges of assist
ance from fifteen Democratic Senators,
but it is questionable If he will be
able to count securely upon half til at
number One thing is certain: The
Democratic Senators will not act in a
body on one side or the other for or
against either party to the controversy,
but will simply act as seems best to them.
Some affect to believe that the demorali-
zation of the Republican party would be
acceler ated by the defeat OF the Presi-
dent; others that Conkling's overthrow
will best contribute to the disintegration
of the party. According as each man
feels he will vote. There will be no eau
Gus dictation in matter regarding which
there is so much variance of opinion. In
the opinion of the GLOBE Senator Bayard
expressed what should be the policy of all
true Democratic Senators when, in re-
cent interview on the situation, he said
IN reply to question:
AS constitutional Democrat answer that
we should never forget that Mr.. Garfield is the
PRESIDENT of the United States, and that to his
,ffice are attached functions and responsible
ties, duties and prerogatives that we are bound
20 see are protected from invasion or embar
-assment so far as our sense Of public duty
shall dictate. am not disposed to permit the
chief maglstrry of the nation to be kicked and
oufeted out OF a fair and reasonable exercise
of It's Just prerogatives. No American shonld
be willing to see this done.
Though in a practical minority in
the Senate - not real minori-
ty - the Democratic Senators have
the rare privilege accorded them of
being arbiters in many cases which may
Yitally affect the proper administration
of the affairs of the government. They
occupy the position Of the judge upon
the bench, having nothing to do with
the issues presented or the manner in
which they are presented. If they should
decide in favor of that party that shall
best subserve the interests of the people,
they will not only act periodically but
in accordance with the oath they have
taken, and will be entitled to the graft
tude of the whole people.
Mr. Garfield Is the executive of the re-
public. He was fairly elected and duly
inaugurated, and as the head of the re-.
public is entitled to the respect of all the
people. If the appointments he shall
make are of men qualified to administer
the affairs committed to their charge, it is
the duty of the Democratic. Senators to.
vote for their confirmation. But if, on
the contrary, the President should be be-
trayed into the nomination of men who
are unfit for the position, 1t is the duty
of the Democratic Senators to oppose the
Confirmation with all the power at their
command. They are not bound to the
President by any party ties, nor infu-
enced by the expectation Of favors yet to
come, and therefore they should be I'm
partial---as judicial in their action as the
most blameless judge upon the bench.
This is how they should regard their
position and exercise their powers.
Individual Senators may be under per-
sonal obligations to Senator Conkling and
feel prompted to assist him in whatever
enterprises he may be engaged in. But
personal relations should not induce
them to forget the duty they owe to the
public, which is paramount to all else. If
Mr. Conkling is right in opposing the
confirmation of Rebertson-tha. he is
man who is unfit to administer the
affairs of his Office properly-they should
vote with the New York Senator for his
rejection, but if they believe the contrary
they should act accordingly. They should
never forget their capacity as arbiters on
all disputed appointments, but they
should cast their votes in favor of those
who will properly administer the affairs
of the people, and against those who are
likely to administer them improperly,
either for personal OF partisan ends, ire
spective of what faction among Republi-
cans favor or oppose the nominations
River Navigation.
The fall in the river yesterday amounted to
four inches, leaving the stage Of water an
even twelve feet above low water mark.