The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-07

law last longer than the meeting OF the
next Congress Should the meeting Of
Congress cause fear, and Its adjournment
cause enjoyment Should nothing be set
tied for a time at least, but should doubt
and mistrust always haunt the waking and
the sleeping hours OF the peopei For
one, he was empbatically opposed to any
such suicidal policy. Itwould be madness
for any party to pursue 1t. IL was sub
mitted TO every members judgment to
apply heroic remedy to this bill
or to let 1t linger out q sickly ex-
istence, bearing In It's wake business
confusion and general bankruptcy. 1t
was not based on any sound principle.
There had been apologies for 1t, but no de-
fence. 1t was guessed that II might reduce
the surplus revenue. but nobody pretended
to speak with certainty. There was no at
tempt for the adjustment OF the tariff. It
sliced, reckless OF injury 1t might do to
certain interests and Industries as well as
to revenue. Ii was like the famous bed OF
the old robber-if n man was 100 small. he
was stretched out to his memorable
length; II too long, he was cut down TO
fit 1t. 1t was thing OF measurement and
not wise scheme OF reduction. Horizontal
reduction afforded no remedy on the con-
trary, 1t made worse what was pad before.
IL was palpable confession OF inability to
handle an intricate problem nj issue, or
! else rash eagerness to do what was mt once
uncaled-for, unwise, and unfortunate. 1t
appeared to be agitation only Tor the sake
OF agitaton-always a mistake. Ii was 4
clear dictate Of common sense to have
waited until the effect OF the last tariff bill
could have been learned, and thus
! ft1el tla,,.
OF the presidential election question
| in which the public welfare was so deeply
concerned, and which, il possible, should
never be made purely partisan issue.
! Though this subject ought not to involve
any question OF party allegiance, it might
be well TO consider how far its agitation
might advance or retard the march to VIC
| tory OF the great Democratic party. The
southern States alone were inadequate to
success. and which OF the northern States
was likely to accept new dispensatiOn?
lie would speak plainly, and utter his
fears even in the presence OF his po-
litical enemies. Take the four great
States OF Connecticut, New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The CEN
sus showed that more than 100000 per-
sons were engaged in manufacture in those
four great Commonwealth. Did the gen.
tlemen believe that the reduction OF wages
was n potent factor in winning the support
OF those people, and especially when the
Republican orators. backed by a powerful
press, would thunder in their ears the
statement that the Democratic party had
been the main cause of that reduction
He begged gentlemen to ponder these
things. and not lightly dismiss them.
This was certain, they would not act
without warning. and it was kindly
meant, but not less emphaticaly, as
it sprang from his deep conviction OF
its truth. IL, however, the memorable logic
OF events should demonstrate his apprehen-
sions to be groundlesS, there would be no
one more willing TO acknowledge his error
and rejoice that his associates had been
right. But TO him ii seemed inevitable that
the action OF the Committee on Ways and
Means would fall little short OF Eublic
condemnation. He deplored that such an
Il-adyised step should be taken, as the tri-
umphs OF the Democratic party were dear
TO him. and he had sought them ardently
and eagerly for nearly quarter OF a GEN.
tury. III disaster came, be, ut least, would
have the consolation OF knowing that it
was led 10 defeat by other advice than his.
Theorists might fight for impossible doe
ltrnes, but he knew by experience how
futile in government was mere theory. and
how valuable was common sense. He
believed in that which had stood the
strain OF long practice, nor could he be
expected to yield 1t for something impossi'
BILE and impracticable. [Arplause.l
Mr.. McAdoo, OF New Jersey, briefly
opposed the bill believing that in so doing
he was upholding the dignity OF American
labor.
Mr.. Findlay, OF Maryland, said the bill
was like DR.. JOhnsOn's mutton. q" ill-fed
ill.cOoked, addressed" Whether 1t would
be ill.kiled or not depended upon the
vote to be taken to-day. II was moi
too late to retreat, and Democrat:
could 90 home 20 their constituent:
and tell the people that since they
had come to Washington local lines OF in
terest had wdened into the horizon OF the
country.
Mr.. Blackburn said that, unlike the gen.
Itleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. RandalD
he did not complain OF the conduct OF the
debate. In the main ii had been fair-fair
from the different standpoints from which
the bill bad been reviewed. He did regret
that the gentleman from Connecticut (Nlr
Eaton) should have seen nit, in the eXube'
rance OF his zeal, to have INDUCED
in remarks which were received, and
could be received, by many OF hi
political associates only with sense o.
sincerest pain. He regretted that the gen
tIeman should have found it necessary to
appeal to prejudice and passion which
should have been buried with the war whicl
gave them birth. and should have attempt
ed to faunt in the face OF an American
House the bloody-shirt, which a sense OF
dignity on the part OF the Republicans
themselves had long since consigned tC
oblivion. Loud applause on the Demo
cratic side.l
Mr.. Eaton: suppose my friend alude:
TO the remark made in reference to the
Confederate Constitution. | thought
explained to the full satisfaction OF the
! gentleman from Georgia (Mr. HAMMOND
exactly what | meant-that intended to
point an irresistible argument that the yer!
making OF that Confederate Constitution
leaving out the general welfare clause,
showed that the sense OF that people pre-
. vailed, and, and permit me TO say, that Tho
distinguished Senator from Louisiana (Nlr.
. Gibson) quoted the same clause OF the
Confederate Constitution, made precisely
the same line OF remarks. and have yet 10
} hear that he is sectional.
Mr.. Blackburn: 81 did not blame the
gentleman so much for using that refer
, ence. knew that the original RESPONSE
bility for its introduction into the debate
did not lie at his door, but that the sug-
gestion was furnished to him by gen.
tleman coming from section further
south; but / regret that the word traitor.
should have crept into the tariff debate"
Mr.. Eaton: ~ thought that my public
character and public record would be a
defence against any charge OF that kind