Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-27
RESPONSTBILITYO OF THE STU IYTON


an unusual, indeed, vast responsibility on
the Democratic party. The people, by
thousands, disguised with stalwart Repub-
ican corrupt modes, focked to the Demo
cratic standard, with confidence, expecting
and asking for true, needed and radical re-
forms. They must not be disap-
pointed. They must be met in the
spirit of fairness and sincerity.
They have given the Democratic party
great ma orities, in some instances vast
ones, and have cast upon the party CORES
ponding responsibilities. They have taken
away from unfaithful hands power,
and conidingly placed it in other hands.
Power brings duties and responsibilities
of grave and weighty character. The
trust proffered must be accepted with con-
siderate, conservative moderation, not in
the spirit of exultation.
The new congress will have grave tasks
to perform. 1t will have difficulties to
meet of a most embarrassing character.
In projected reforms, however fair and
needed, they will certainly have to meet an
adverse majority in the senate
and hostile executive. Thus they
may be hinderea in the accom-
plishment of undertakings that will COM
mand popular appreciation. The failure
to accomplish what is needed and expect
ed must be shown to be from no lack of
honest endeavor, but from factious oppo-
sition on the part of Republicans, if such
should be the fact. Then the people will
not withdraw confidence but place the re-
sponsibility where it belongs. There
should be no distinctive partisan action.
Fairness, justice, the general good should
be the aim.
There will be large number of cases of
contested seats. In the decision of all
| these there should be absolute, positive
judicial fairness and precision. There
should be no advantage taken of the DOW
er of a majority, but each case, without re
gard to the political status of contestants,
should be decided according to the law and
the evidence. These will be test
cases of the sincerity and
integrity OF the majority, and as they are
decided, the majority will be strengthened
country.
There probably never has been a time
when fairness, carefulness and just action
have been so much counseled, urged and
demanded as now. Genuine reform and
honesty in official action is strongly de-
manded. The party that meets this just
demand will not only receive, but long re-
tain the confidence of the country. The
Albany Avgns, always reliable Democratic
authority upon this general topic, we'll and
soundly remarks: ''The party should at
once and for all dismiss any idea that it
comes into power to wreak revenges or re-
prisals, or to fortify Itself against political
changes in the future by present devices.
or by such an abuse of public trusts as
stalwartism practiced. Reforms and not
retaliations, are the avenue to public con-
fdence. record which will command re-
ward, when gagged by the reason, the viz
tue and the intelligent self-interest of the
voters, will give party stronger and lon
ger hold than any resource to unjust par
tisan advantage, merely because the phys
ical power to take it exists.' Such action
as is here suggested will be the true test.
And by such action and such a spirit
alone, can the power SO suddenly, and
generously bestowed upon the party
be retained. The benefit not
merely of party. but of the whole people
should be the rational and high aim, and
with that, and the people satisfied of it. a
long lease of power will be gained in all
departments, and retained by the Democ-
racy. The opportunity is grand one.
Will it be used wisely, justly and well?