Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-25
rrrr prAIa BlLl.
The Ceusttsassenai objection to H.
.Ous or the Frying.Psn i"s"
the Fire..

.Ous or the Fryfng.Ps" INV"
the Fire."
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
II ia to be supposed that those con.
eressmen who object to the Blair Dill
because of its unconstitutionality will
admit that il would be better to have
party in power which has some respect
for The Constitution than one which by
its many acts has shown has none. The
open and constant violation of the Con-
stitution of the United States by the
Republican party, as was clearly shown
by you in your leader of the 2lst In
slant, ought, it seems to me, to impress 1t
strongly upon every Democratic con-
gresham that it would be bad way to
show their love for the Constitution by
taking such action as would greatly
weaken the Democratic party and at
the same time would strengthen the Re-
publican party. To keep the latter in
power would in fact be nothing short oil
helping to bury what little respect some
few individuals belonging to the Repub-
lican party may now have for the Con-
stitution. II would show the greatest
want of wisdom on the part of Demo-
cratic congressman if they so act as will
give strength to their opponents, for they
must know that so long as such
opponents control the Government,
there would not be glimmer of hope
that the slightest respect would be paid
the Constitution. Now, the point is
Just this Will the defeat Of the Blair
bill in the House of Representatives
(which is Democratic by large major
ity) tend to weaken the Democratic
party? / contend that it will certainly
do it and if that proves to be the case
can any sane man show how those who
love the Constitution so much will gain
one single point by adding to the power
of a party which has no sort ofrespect for
that instrument? The Democratic party
in several of the southern States is
strong for the Blair bill, and in some of
the States will have very rough road
TO travel if the bill is defeated by a
Democratic House of Representatives.
1t must be remembered that Republic
can Senate has twice passed the bill,
and consequently its defeat a second
time in a Democratic House of Repre-
sentatives would prove big load to
tote among a people almost solid
for it. If the Constitution is
ever to be restored and respected
as it was before the war it
can only be done by the Government
in all its branches) being in the hands
of the Democratic party. Anything,
therefore, which will tend to weaken
that party with the people tends to de-
feat the very object Of those who appear
so anxious to see the Constitution pre-
vail. That cid ship has been so batter
ed and knocked to pieces by the Repub-
lican party that its thorough overhaul
ing and repair is not to be brought
about in day or by single vote.
Like a man bordering on delirium
tremens, it may be necessary
to use means to keep life in
him until nature can come to his
complete restoration. If a desire to see
the Constitution restored and respected
is what some men are after, then it is
clear that their first duty is so to act as
will put the Government in all its de-
partments in the hands Of the Demo-
crazy. To accomplish that purpose,
it would look reasonable to suppose that
a measure the people greatly favored
would receive the cordial support Of
Democratic congressman. The loss Of
two or three Of the southern States to
the Democracy would be such blow
as the Democracy of the North could
hardly stand. The passage of the Blair
bill by the House would not, think,
weaken the Democracy Of the North,
for the latter could, and doubt
less would, hold the Republican
Senate, if necessary, responsible for the
passage of the bill. To sum up, the
Democrats have much to lose and no.
thing to gain by the defeat of the bill.
This being the case, it strikes me that
even lovers of the Constitution would
see that until the Democratic party is
in full possession Of the Government
there is no reasonable hope to suppose
that that instrument will be respected
and observed as it should be.
The old craft is now only partially
in the hands of the Democracy, and I'M
til the last Of the enemy has been cap
tured or thrown overheard such COM
plete repairs as are badly needed can
not be made. Finally, it certainly
looks to me "like jumping out of the
frying-pan into the fire " to see men
fighting for the Constitution by taking
such action as would put power in the
hands of party having no sort of re-
spect for it. Virginia has done much
to keep life in that old party founded
by her great statesmen, and when
she now comes forward and asks
the passage of bill that she is greatly
interested in it seems to me that her
request should be cordially granted.
j. |. X.
Prohibition Does Not Prohibit.
II , 4 II N