The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-05
A USELESS DISCUSSION.
The Talk in the United States Senate
Over the Sherman-DaYis Letter Cause
less and Unnecessary.

The Talk in the United States Senate
Over the Sherman-DaYis Letter Cause
less and Unnecessary.
A more causeleSs and useless debate
than that which occurred in the Senate
respecting the Davis-Sherman contro-
versy can not be well imagined. Hap
PLY on the face of the discussion it is
evident that it was purely Republican
maneuver for the purpose of endeavor-
ing to manufacture a little political
capital. General Sherman letter had
been widely published, it was practical
" in the possession of every member of
the Senate. and hence Hawley's reso-
luton calling upon the Secretary of
War, for the document had no other
motive than to create an opportunity
for 4 partisan discussion. OF course
the abuse of Mr.. Davis by such narrow
minded partiSanS as Senators Sherman,
COnger and Ingalls, provoked replies
from Southern Senators, but nothing
very serious was said and the incident
passed off without leaving the record its
promoters desired. 1t seems as if the
Republican leaders We're incapable of
learning by experience, or of appreciat-
inc the fact that the whole sentiment of
the country has changed touching the
sectional ideas which so long have
afforded them political standing
ground. In the recent National cam
paign every effort was made TO renew
sectional animoSities ins the interest
of the Republican party. All the more
eloquent and vindictive "bloody shirt
orators were heard from and nothing
was neglected to develop the full polit-
zeal value of the old sectional pro-
gramme. We all know what the result
was. In spits of these efforts and of
every other agency that could be en-
p!oyed, the Republican party lost the
election. exhibiting a falling off in sew
eral of the States, where hatred of the
South and sectional feeling possessed,
a few wears ago, the strongest influence.
This should be demonstration sufficient
that these ideas have lost their vitality
and need no longer be depended upon
as basis for party support. An EN-
Filtered partisan like Blaine, who is
politically bankrupt unless he can re-
vive sectional animOsities, might be eX-
pected to incite such Il discussion as
took place in the Senate the other day,
but it is singular that more prudent and
self-respecting men permitted it to occur.
1t had no conceivable bearing on legis-
ton, and was calculated to provoke i'll
feeling and interfere with the trasac-
ton of business Fortunately, the Tina
mas gone by. and forever. when this
kind of Radical scheming can do any
injury to the Democratic party. 1t has
lived down the misrepresentation and
falSehOods of the enemies. 1t is now
supported by large majority of the
people of the United States and can af-
ford to treat with Indifference the utter
ances of the old fanatics who so long
opposed its progress By persistent and
able bodied lying. In truth, the whole !
subject matter of the discussion re-
ferred to is neither very interesting nor |
important, and has received more pub |
lie attention than it merits. War MEM |
Dries and war literature are not useful |
as matters of public discussion. The |
era to which they refer is past. 1t was
dark with political passion and civil |
strife and now that all its differences |
have been adjusted and its antagonisms |
dispersed. it is simply mischievOus to |
summon back its scenes merely to
crafty personal or political feelings.
Wisdom and patriotism alike demand |
that National unity should always be
permitted to rest on general harmony
and good feeling between citizens of all
sections. No other foundation can ever
be really sccure.-St. Louis Repub-
|jcOD