National Republican., 1884-03-29
The rnn,is WIN the Bull.

The cheerfulness which at tho commence
ment Of the session of this congress pervaded
the country ON tho announcement that
Carlisle was elected speaker and Morrison
named as chairman Of tho ways aud means
committee, and that the chairman was
going to tako the bull by tho
horns" has entirely subsidized in certain
quarters, and left nothing but a faint
memory behind. Morrison, it was said, had
the courage of his convictions, wha tever that
may mean. somo thought it meant good
deal, but so far nothing has actually trans
pired to show that in this aspect he has had
any advantage over the bull, for that animal
has paved tho ground in q menacing m amer
for four months as though ready for an
encounter and tho chairman all that
timo has busted himself and amused
the crowd in somewhat vain
effort to remove his gloves. The alacrity
for a grapple with tho pugnacious beast
which was vaunted at first lost its ardor worry
early, and would havo given out entirely
during tho first week but for the vigorous
beating of the tom.tom by Henry Watterson,
and tho noisy shouting of the agents of
British interests to encourage tho sinking
spirits of their chosen champion.
Tho bull, it must be admitted, is n danger
Gus animal He has been viewed with sus.
picion by many plucky men. Mr.. Tildcn
looked askance at him in 1876, but at a con-
siderable distance. In 1850 he had approached
somewhat nearer, and Gen. Hancock, whose
courage on the battlefield was unquestioned.
/ was invited to survey him, and did with con-
siderable hesitation, taking care to do so from
behind the local fences Of Pennsylvania, and
within supporting distance of the democratic
reserves of Ohio and New Jersey. Never
thees5 Hancock was slain, and the verdict of
the coroner was "Killed by bull named
Dilemma, owner unknown, but pastured in
all the states of the union, and allowed to
roam at random in all sections once in four
years to the great concern Of democratic can
fields of Uncle Sam" The verdict was cor
rect.
This bull Dilemma has more than two
horns, but Mr.. Morrison, under the advice of
Mr.. Carlisle, after full examination and
with the highest regard to his personal
safety concluded to take the horizontal,
hopin to saw Off about one.ffth of the sharp
end if tho animal could be kept still while
the operation was being performed. But the
signs were that the bull would not keep still,
and the scouts sent out reported that they
discovered Sam Randall stirring him up with
an iron prod and exciting him to determined
resistance. This dastsrdly proceeding caused
great wrath in the man having the courage
of his convictions, and it was seen to be
perilous to undertake the sawing-of process
without first squelching Mr.. Randall and
breaking his prod, and to this end the caucus
was invoked, the joy of Watterson was un-
bounded and accompanied with an unusual
, blowing Of trumpets and an extraordinary
shower of rockets and fireworks
The caucus convened, and then, to the
astonishment of all, Mr.. Morrison quailcd
1t was found almost impossible to make him
stand and the man with the courage of hi:
convictions seemed to be petering out.
Mr.. Carlisle was weary also, and together
they showed much less inclination for join
attack on Randall than Morrison alone hat
at first exhibited in regard to the bull. Car
lisle said il would not do to go on. Courag,
was grand thing. He had felt happy il
having around a man who had it and witt
was not backward in having the countr,
informed that the quantity was unlimited
- but there was difference between talk an,
action. Moreover the unexpected discover,
had been made that some men in the demo
cratic party had q conscience. They nigh
be few and the conscience not large, but
was n solemn thing to undertake to bind tn
conscience of a democrat when the thing wa
found, and if it was to be question betwee
doing that and letting the bull off with hi
= horns complete he should say let him 60 an
y a good riddance. That this conclusion leave
U Mr.. Morrison in ridiculous plight, shown
" of a courage that he has no possible use fo
- must be conceded, but after all it is calan
u ity the country can stand much better tha
v to see SAM Randall's conscience under dures
- and tho bull lashing his violent tail in fur
u merely to crafty the pugnaoity of a man
courage.