National Republican., 1888-01-05
The BiIgh, OF senatorial Courtesy"

adoption.
The Blight OF senatorial Courtesy"
Mr.. Lamar's friends claim, with conf
dence well founded or well assumed, that
the Republican Senate will confirm his
nomination to the Supreme bench. An act
more unjustGable by Mr.. Lamar's quallf-
cations, more uppalatable to the steadiast
citizens OF this nation, and more impolltic
from party point Of view could not be
committed.
The reason given for this expected act is
senatorial courtesy" Mr.. Lamar's haying
been senator covers, II not multitude
Of Gins, several tremendous ones and ex-
cuses glaring dement's. The excuse made
for courtesy in this case is that Mr.. Lamar
is probably the best that the President could
or would do for the Supreme Court, and 1t
is better to take him than to take the chance
of having to accept one less honorable or
less qualified. The short and straight an-
swer to all this special pleading for "sena-
torial courtesy" is that the Republican party
can better accept the responsibility for
vacancy on the Supreme bench than for
Judge whose dlsqualilcatons are mlny aud
glaring and whose treason is thrice told aud
toastful.
1t Is time for the Republican party to re-.
feet upon this matter OF senatorial cour-
tesy.n 1t Is something akin u the natnby-
pambysm which has paralyzed and de.
feated Republicanism on many occasions.
II is the natural parent OF Mugwumpery,
and, like that species of baruacle, 1t will
finally take the life OF that party which
noulishes it. The Republicans of the Senate
have nourished the vampire longer than
their party health warrants. "CJurte3Y"
has given away to the foe many advantages;
even now 1t is oiling the Democratic party
machinery to the value of about $4,000 q
year. While the Democrats spare no oppor-
tunity to eXpel all who are not OF the faith
from service to the administration and to the
House Of Representatives, the "courtesyh
Of the Republican Senate maintains Dem
ocrats in some Of the more important IN
ildential positions, with fat salaries, and
with opportunities, which they do not
neglect, for the practice Of "pernicious
activity" in offensive partisanship. This
condition is aggravated by the fact that
Republicans worthy and well qualified for
any service, whom the administration and
the Democratic House have dismissed, are
vainly asking for recognition at the hands
OF Republican senators.
Courtesy is commendable quality in
society, but 1t does not require man to
feed the stranger sumptuously while starv-
ing his own family. Courtesy did not make
Mr.. Lincoln President 1t did not put down
the Davis.Lama rebellion 1t did not pro-
claim the freedom Of the slave 1t did not
enact the constitutional amendments which
sorely plague the Davises and Lamars 1t
did not provide for the payment Of the
public debt 1t did not restore the public
credit; 1t did not establish the protective
system to promote domestic industries. 1t
was the reverse Of courtesy. 1t was stead
fast enforcement of principles against
Democratic protest In each and all these
instances which prevailed.
Seriously is 1t not time to inquire whether
''senatorial courtesy" has not gone far
enough toward compromising the manhood
OF Republicanism and the integrity OF the
country? Following these suggestions NJ
confidence in the Lamar affair,
come hints that, no matter WHAT
the report Of the committee in
case, enough Republican 81 =.
stretch their courtesy" so Gar as to con-
done the theft of the Indiana scnatorship.
The Democratte-tmployes of the Republic
can Senate, apparently from inside informa-
ton, boastfully anticipate this result. The
Republicon party holds, as by slender
thread, one branch Of the legislative depart
ment, and that ia threatened by senatorial
courtesy" May not the Republicans OF
the country be justified in seriously ques-
tioping whether 1t is worth while to elect
Republican senators to register the com.
maids OF Democratic administration, aud
to give away advantages for Republican
| principles which have been SO laborlously
achieved?