New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-25

THE NTNO(Hi TIC PiRIl ANB me NJ /.
According to MI. Randall the House Appro-
pril,iou Committee recommended nCn-c0n-
cuIrcucc in the Senate amendments TO the
Naval APPROPRIATION bill for two reasons:
first, because there is on the Speakers table a
Senate bill authorizing the building Of new
war vessels; and, second, because the Demo-
cratic party is not to blame for the deficiencies
of the Navy. 1t has been shown in debate that
the first of these excuses is disiugonuous, in
asmuch aS the Senate bill on the Speakers table
stands no show of being taken up.
As to the second excuse, it is less diSingcnu-
ous than puerile, for it amounts to an admission
fatal to the reputation of the Democracy. The
argument such as it is, must be formulated
thus: The Republican party irresponsible forthe
weakness Of the Navy thereforethe Democratic
party cannot becXpccted to consent to strength-
cning the Navy. This is the spirit of faction
carried to the extreme In the eyes OF those
who hold with Mr. Randall on this matter it is
of no consequence that the United states Gov
eminent is exposed to contumely and rebuff
at the hands Of insignificant Powers because
of the weakness Of the Navy; it Is nothing that
the country cannot protect its citizens and Its
flag abroad it is nothing that despite our
| wealth and great resources we are at the mercy
of any fouIth-Iate Power that may choose to
pick quarrel with us; it is nothing that this
great republic is prevented from maintaining
its status and dignity in thc councils OF the ma
tons because we are known to be pOwcrless to
bacl. up our opinions in the only way which
produces practical results at critical iunctnrcs.
70 Mr. Randall and his school Of Dcmocratsall
these considerations are trivial when weighed
in the balance with fractional malice. They ap-
pear to desire to deepen the National humila-
ton and the National danger in order to en-
phasize the responsibility of the Republican
party for the condition of the Navy. Mr.. DORIS
heimer sees more clearly than the gentleman
from PENNSYLVANIA, however. He pcrccvcs
that, as he put it, any paVy resisting the de-
mand of the country for the rehabilitation of
the Navy Will meet with a rcbuke. There can
be no doubt Of the truth Of this statement, and
Mr. RandalTs himsy preteXts for resistance will
satisfy no one. No matter where the response
bility for the past may rest, the responsibility
for the present rests with the Democratic ma
ioIity in the House.
Fortunately there was enough public spirit
in the House to carry the Senate amendment TO
the Naval Appropriation bill, but il never
would have been carried had not Republican
votes been present to supportit though some
Democrats like DorsLeimer, voted forit. This
is the kind of factonal demonstration which
keeps alive the general distrust Of the Demo-
cratic party. The people feel that the Demo-
cratic leaders are always liable to subordinate
the general to flctiOnal interests, and that they
are capable as Mr.. Randall on this occasion
showed himself, of exposing the country 10 any
humiliation or insult abroad, if by so doing they
think they can score a petty partisan point.