Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-11-13
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISERS
The Cause Of Late Democratic Re.


verses.
Triumph of the 1dministration-Mr. Bar.
b0ur's Fiems in the n. Y. Wond.-We
Latest from Earope.
To the editor Of the Alexandria Gazette:
Many hundred columns of speculation as
to the causes which led to the heavy losses
of the democratic party in the late elections
OF Congressman have appeared in the news
papers, and tho partisan press-the Alex.
andrla GAZETTE especially-have not hest
tated to ascribe it chiefly TO discomfort with
the administration. The present writer
does not claim to be satisfied ia his own
mind what is the true explanation, or, in
deed, to have anything original on the
subject to offer. though it has seemed to
him strange that, among the several scape-
| goats suggested, so little has been said about
the lncompetency of the last democratic
House, and of its signal failure to pass, or
even agree upon, g. bill looking to relief
| from our present outrageous tariff burdens
But, leaving to those moro astute tho so.
luton OF this question, l wish, in connection
with 1t, to call attention to something hap
PLY brought out in a recent editorial of the
Baltimore Sun; i. e., the fact that this is the
first lime for nearly halfa century that the
/
thai term has been democratic at all. Polk
lost it in 1916, Pierce in 1854, Buchanan in
1865. And with the other party the case
has not been much better, Lincoln and
Grant only land they but once each) having
held the House in an "of'' year. There
would appear, therefore, in the nature of
things, something peculiarly difficult for
both parties in keeping the popular branch
In political sympathy with the Executive
at the elections held for the second Congress
in an administration. Notwithstanding this
difficulty, ard Notwithstanding the abuse
lately heaped upon him as the DESTROYER of
his party, President Cleveland has in this
year of grace, 1856, in the elections to the
second Congress in his term, succeeded 10
doing it. He has done what only two re-
publican Presidents ever did, and what no
democratic President since the time of Van
Buren, has done at all He has retained
control of the House. Does this look as if
tho civil seryice farce" were, after all, such
a bad thing for the party
1t is TO be regretted that our excellent
representative, the Hon. John S. Barbour,
over whose safe return this week from Eu.
rope We all rejoice, was unaware of the facts
above recited before his interview Just after
landing, with a reporter Of the ". Y. UoHQ
Indeed, one would suppose that after alb
sence throughout the campaign, he would
hardly have been ready with any reason for
It's III success. But let him speak for him.
self. Mr.. Barbour is represented as saw
ing:
| The policy of the administration has been dis.
| couraglng TO the democratic party. When men
turn cut and work for the success of their party
they like to receive some recognition if they win
orto have their friends recognized, and not have
q a hny hnFn 80,
| nature and you cannot change it. Sentimental
| politics may be all right in theory but they do
not win victories or inspire men with much en-.
thusiasm. President Cleveland is probably sin
cere in his course but if he would give us little
more practical politics it would be better for his
party
He evidently agrees with the Alexandria
GAZETTE that the blame for the late demo.
cratic reverses rests on the President. The
ahsurdity of blaming him for doing better as
to this than any of his predecessors under
like circumstances for q half century has
been already demonstrated. Let us glance
at other points,
| The recognition" for which Mr.. Barbour
pleads Is reward fer service done for Que
political party in the shape of Office, of
which the emoluments come from taxes paid
by The whole people. This is Just what the
civil service reiormer denounces as unjust
and wrong III principle. If party workers
require pecnnary reward-and it NAV often
be Justly their due-let it come from SONS
other source. They have no right to claim
1t from government which exists for the
benefit of the whole people.
By sentimental politics" Mr.. Barbour
meaus, of course, politics in which the spoiIs
OF office ara not IN item. Such politics.
though right in theory" he declares do
not VIII victories or inspire men with much
enthusiasm" Yet in England Sentimental
politics" are the only kind they have. In
That country, where the spoi|s system was
once 50 hagTaut, it is now unknown. and
elections turn, not on the miserable, sordid
consideration of stlice keeping or getting,
but On great questions of State which the
elimination of the other leaves men free
10 weigh anG discuss without prejudice
Has there been any want since this reform
Was effected in England of enthusiasm
among the electors, or have victories not
been won?
President Cleveland is rot only ':sincero"
IN his course, but ne is going to persist in it
| anu as its chosen standard bearer in lSSS'
pull his party through in spite of the NAL.
contents and even without the vote of Vir-
einla, if her people do not by that time
learn to appreciate him. This he will do
without aid of the abomnalion known as
practical politics" and relying on the good
sense ana patriotism Of the people as distin-
guished from the politicians. L. NJ. B.
fd"Jdr County, Ia, Nou. IS, 1856.
SEEKING TO ANNUL AN ENFORCED MAR. |