The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-03
MEMPHIS APPEAL.
WEDNESDAY, ); MARCH 3, 1856
the MESSAGE TO THE SENATE.


WEDNESDAY, :; MARCH 3, 1885,
THE VI essAGE TO THE SENATE.
The Presidents message to the
Senate. published in the APrEAL yes
terday, th 9uld have the profound at
teution Ct every citizen. The occasion
Of the message 10 n notable one, and 1t
required courage and iDhexible devo'
ton TO his duty on the part OF the
President to issue II. The matter lying
back OF the questions the Senate has
raised, and which the President dis
cusses, is that the Senate has for some
time shown desire to extend its own
importance by enlargins the scope oil
It's powers and the number OF its
privileges. II hes also shown ten
dency toward a dominating and aristo-
cratic spirit. Senator's wives every
now and then excite all Washington
SOCIETY" by their struggles for that
aristocra.ic neutrality-suspicious.
The Senators not long ago provided
each OF themselves with private sec
rotary, at the expense Of the people.
Less than year ago 1t endeavored to
exalt its dignity by encroaching
upon the sphere Of the House
OF Representatives in a way that was
intended to add TO the Importance,
privilege, and power Of their upper
house." The clover house," however,
properly resented the Senate's impe-
rialism and impertinence. Its ambi-
ton curbed in this direction, has
taken another soaring fight, and is
now engaged in a struggle to encroach
upon the constitutional position OF the
President. But ithas no timid, shrink.
ing, abashed "6gure-head" to deal
with, fortunately, but man, a con-
scientious man, patriotic and devoted
to duty, faithful 10 the constitution.
and regardful Of the wishes and pur-
poses OF the people. Sailing on a
false track the Senate has struck upon
rock, and without care and skill
there will be danger, ultimately, Of a
wreck. The upper houses" are not
in good odor just now. A great por-
ton Of the French people are in favor
OF abolishing their Senate, EnRland's
supper house." the blouse Of Lords"
is doomed to a complete reconstruc-
ton, as many Of its own members adj
init. And now the American
Senate, that "august body" is
tempting fate by running into the
same danger. President Oleveland's
message-not in terms, but in spirit,
and from the necessity the aspiring
Senators have themselves created
calling for the issuance OF such n mes
sage is keen rebuke TO the Senate,
following the rebuke il had received
b little while ago from the House Of
Representatives. 1t is sll.importaut
10 n republic such rs ours, where
here is no monarch TO interpo5e a
decisive will, that the three govern
rental powers, executive, legislative
| md judicial, be kept each Of them
| briefly within the line Of their con-
4 ttutional duties. None should
Aglect whet devolves upon It, none
bould allow encroachment from
\ ther Ct the other powers, each
should faithfully hand down to itE
successors what has been delivered "a
itself. That one CT the three which
forgets that this is a government from
the people, by the people and for the
people is untrue to country, to duty
and to its own position. Here liel
the wrong the Senate is unwoIthily
striving to accomplish. II is stretch
ing its authority that 1t may grasl
power which does not be
long to II set its "uppe
house" coronets with place gems an,
glitter with usurped ostentation. 1t
absurd and undignified grasping vii
be in vain. The firm, calm, fearless
intrepid President OF the Unite
States opposes the bulwark provide
by the constitution against the Ser
ate's foolish attempt to increase i
own consequence. Supporting, al
miring and confiding in the Presidel
is the sovereign American people. L
aspiring Senator'S lower their priC
and sink their overreaching ami
ton They'sre not indispensable. Or
OF them has compared Cleveland
message to 8 communication Of Charl
/. to the English Parliament. Charlie
like the Senate, was an enoroach
upon rights not bis own-he got h
rebuke, and the Cromwellian Parli
ment taughtt the supper house" Of tn
day that the country could hourii
without it. Mr.. Cleveland is "l
right man in the right place" but
is empba.icslly the wrong man for Z
Senate u contend with, as is shoV
by the following concluding lines
bis message, lines which blaze wi
the ardent fire Of a spirit conscious
rectitlde, and firm as the beetlii
rocks that dash back the waves Of q
ocean in allegiance to truth al
right: .Neithsr the discomfort
party friends nor the aluremer
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