The Wilmingtonian., 1886-04-17
ADVERTISING RATES:
SATURDAY APRIL IL, 1856.
DRIFTING TOWARD FAILURE.
petence by the Chief of the
MugWumpS

ton is drifting toward failure in the conduct
of the government, owing chiefly to a lack
of agreement and cooperation between the
leaders in the legislative and the admins
trative departments Whether this state of
things be due to the theories of the Presi-
dent, to the jealousies of Congressman, or to
an absence of that real union of men for the
accomplishment of a common purpose which
is the basis of a true party organization, the
result is alike unfortunate, and the conse-
quences, if not averted, will be disastrous
to the party.
1t is probable that each of the causes
named his contributed to the enacton and
the incipient Generalization now seen at the
capital. With the best of motives, the Presi-
dent took wrong attitude toward Congress
at the beginning of the session. He con-
strued the independence of these coordinate |
branches to mean, or to require, their entire |
separation. Not wishing improperly to in
fuence the legislative branch, he dsavowed |
any wish Or purpose to influence it in prop
er manner. Having made his recommeuda |
tions to Congress, he left the responsibility
for action with that body. AS the head of
the nation he was right, AS the head Of his
party he was wrong The President should
not, as some Executives have done, use the
patronage or power of his Office to promote
a personal policy or to advance personal
ends. But he may, and should, as the most
punctilious and patriotic of Presidents have
done, seek to place his Administration in
such cordial aud assistful relations with the
leaders of his party in Congress as shall
help to give effect to the principles OF his
party, which the people approved in the
election. Mr.. Cleyeland's lack Of exper-
ience as political leader might account for
the failure to establish such relations, did
not his proclamation Of, and adherence to,
purpose to abstain from even seeming to
care what Congress shall do show that he is
hSIibB upOh q lhOpA1 VI tllbllb hpu-lHItllGl-
ence.
AS consequence of this policy leading
Democrats of the House, occupying respon-
sible places on thecommttees, some Of whom
are in accord with the Administration, do
not go to the White House to consult in re-
gard to measures which should embody the
party's principles and purposes They do
not wish to ask advice, or to seek co-opcra-
tion that has been declined in advance, The
Administration thus loses all opportunity to
impress its views upon legislation, and ac-
cepts for itself the position Of mere dispen-
ser and director of offices. The position is
complicated and made worse by the other
facts mentioned-the feeling OF Congress
that is ''the Government" and that il
should resent or ignore suggestions from the
Executive, and the abnormal divisions in the
thing of shreds and patches that calls itself
the Democratic party. The jealousy of its
prerogative to initiate and pass legislation is
PippSl III NOuSICSS 10 u NllUiG Dut
this feeling should not prevent the leaders Of
the responsible majority from seeking to
consolidate all legitimate influences in sup.
port of policy Of government embodying
the ideas and aims Of their party.
The lack of agreement among the Dem J.
Gratis is, undoubtedly, contributory cause
OF this paralysis Of the party. The ditferen
ces between the Administration and ma
jority of the Democrats in Congress coult
hardly be wider or more fundamental if They
we're Of opposite parties When before ha
the spectacle been seen, undct nominall
party Government, Of the committees Of til
House taking a position diametrcally Of
posed to that assumed by an Administratio
of the same party upon questions as vital a
the currency, the 'oinage, the management
Of the Treasury, and the maintenance Of til
public faith in the payment of the deb
The Democratic party i weak in il
leadership, but it is more fatally weak i'll il
lack of agreement upon the principles au
policy Of government. "a house divide
against itself cannot stand. 7
Objections to the Gladstone Bill
1t seems that one Of the main Objection
to the premiers Irish bill is based on th3
clause Arranging fur the exclusion of Iris
representation i'll the upe'ial parliament.
With our ideas Of representative gover