Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-12-11
FRIDAY MORNING. DEC. IL. 1885.
CONGRESS-.

4u6 OUUSI6So WuICu dSStLuUlcO ldob
Monday ought to he an important one in
the history of the country. 1t is the first
under Democratic President for quar-
ter Of a century. and this country has
learned much and taken some gigantic
strides ahead in the meantime. The
American Democracy, too, is very much
changed since the days Of the Democracy
of 1850. 1t has greatly improved in its
receptive faculty as to new ideas and its
proficiency in that highest evidence Of true
craftsmanship, rec ogaizing the situation.
Unquestionably in all its history 1t was
never so thoroughly identified in thought
and purpose with the people as it is TO-
day--a lesson that it learned by watching
the rule of a political organization that
has almost governed them from throne
since it came into power. The stale eggs of
State rights and strict construction have
long since been thrown out Of the nest,
and it will be strange indeed if the Ma
tional Democratic bird does not now
hatch out something of benefit to the
American people. It is true, that Re-
publican Senate still exists-whether as
wise and conservative balance wheel or a
blind and Bourbon partisan obstruction is
yet to be seen. 1t is situation in politi-
cal affairs in which the Republicans might
do much good, but unhappily they are
sulking over the events of November,
showing little patriotic interest in any
thing and combining their attention strict
~ to watching for partisan advantage for
Use in 1888. Unless it shall be reorganized
with different leaders and better spirit
that party Will be of little use for CO.
operation with the Democracy. 1t had
the government so long that it had come
to imagine itself the country and to speak
of itself as the Nation. and now that it has
lost it, seems to be interested only in the
rapid fight of the four years which stand
between it and another effort to regain
possession. We do not think the Demo-
cratic House may expect any material as
sistance from the Republican Senate;
about all it will get will be valuable in
party sense alone and consist of Bourbon
obstruction in that body to popular meas
ures, fer which obstruction that party
may be arraigned in 1888.
So, we may conclude that the Demo
cracy will go it alone in the orig1nation
of any measures for the relief of the coun-
try. The way to reduce the surplus in the
Treasury will be one very important
question, but it is one that seems likely
to settle Itself, unless the House shoul
be able to enforce some radical measures
of economy. The estimated revenue of the
country for the ensuing year is twenty
four millions short of the estimated ex-
peDditures, and unless this situation is
reversed the treasury surplus will be
needed yearly to fill up deficits. The Dem
ocratic party is pledged to economy and
its first care will be to even up this dlscre-
pancy. In that task, if we may judge by
the past, they will hardly have the active
cooperation of the Senate, but with Mr.
Randall in the House. if his power in the
Committee on Appropriations is not
shorn, we hope for good deal.
Next to retrenchment and some minor
reforms, will come the silver question, and
the tariff revision. To these two, the people
of the newly awakened Southern States,
will look with the deepest interest. To
the tariff revision the minds Of the leading
men of various views in the Democratic
party-Randall, Morrison, Hewitt-all the
shades from a high protective tariff to
the tariff for revenue only-will be ad-
dressed, and the outcome should be d
tariff satisfactory to the whole country.
In one respect the Southern States can
not help viewing this congress with h
peculiar interest. It Is Que from which
need be feared no hostile legislation to
any section of the Union. No longer is
section interested in either house because
1t stands between it and an admiulstra-
ton inimical to it. The knowledge brings
happy freedom from the care that at
tached to other days, not so very long past
either, when 1.-THE news from Washing
ton" was regarded with apprehension if
not dread. Fortunately those days are
gone and we have an Administration that
is for every section and corner of this
vast Union, and for every man in it, ever
to the Chinese on the far western slope,
and not against any. 1t is great change
for the Southern States, and while they
are too busy with practical matters to
deal a great deal IN sentiment. they can
still take time for thanksgiving to the
Democratic party which brought it all
about.
HOW II IS IN VIRGINIA.