New-York tribune., 1882-02-07
UOPk FOP DFuOCRdTS

Lacking political "issues to divide about,
Congress ought to be able to devote some time
TO practical business. The Senate has dis
cussed and acted upon the Funding bill, be-
cause some Democrats were anxious TO make
political issue on that point. They probably
can see now, if never before that there is no
chance of party advantage for them IN that
business. Whether they assent to the bill that
passed the Senate or dissent, in any case the
Window bonds stand inc0mparably the best
securities ever placed for the Government, and
the Republican party stands Oh record as ready
to place still better securities if po sslble.
The tariff question comes up fOI debate, but
there is small chance in that for partisan adj
vantage. The Democrats i'll Congress cannot
agree upon any course whatever, while the Re
publicans probably can agree in sustaining such
recommendations for careful investigation as
have been made by the Administration. The
cheapest of the Democratic demagOgueS will
probably claim that Republican inquiry
means delay, and will insist that the country is
groaning under iniluities and burdens caused
by protection, which there is no excuse for pro-
longing an hour. But the voters have an
opinion on this subject. They fail to perceive
the intolerable burdens of which demagogucs
complain. Good wages, general prosperity
and marvellous advance in every branch of
industry, appear to the average voter good
reasons for calmness and satisfaction.
These two questions out of the way, the
Democrats will be anxious to find some other of
a political character. But it is not easy for
them to discover one upon which public opinion
can be awakened with success. If they con-
slider the foreign policy of the Government,
they find that the recently published papers and
letters of ex-SccretaTy Blaine have made Il
strong impression upon the public mind. The
Democrats Will find 1t impossible to propose "a
foreign policy which will enlist public approval
and enthusiasm, in antagonlsm to the one
which has been formulated by Republican
leader. Nor is there any probability that
living question of public policy, urgent and
strong enough to form Il basis of partisan divi-
sion, can be drawn from the relation of this
with other nations.
Reform" is bit of Democratic hum
bug which the venerable Russia" and
his cipher dispatches have made ridicul-
Gus. Whatever reforms in adminstra-
ton are needed, the people will prefer to have
undertaken not by Democratic politicians. No
lack of zeal i'll prosecuting such reforms has
been shown 10y Republican leaders, and if any
of them are indifferent or cold, as 10 this or that
desirable change, the patriotism or the personal
rivalry of others will prevent its being neg
lccted. The one thing certain is that the conn
try became utterly disgusted with the incapable
and partisan smelling committees organized by
"A Democratic Congress. and viii not look in
that direction for reforms of any kind.
The Solid South has interests and wishes Of
is own of course, and these Will give shape to
any Democratic policy. But at this point
Democratic hopes are blocked by the folly and
misconduct OF Southern Democrats. lt>is not
possible to touch that question without raising
honest doubts as to the validity Of every cleo
ton recently held IN Southern States-doubts
which, as Ia its own membership, Republican
Congress will have to settie. The Democratic
party appears to be, and we'll may bc, extremely
willing to let every phase Of the southern
question pass out oil mind. The Republicans