Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-02
FRIDAY................M MARCH 2, 1888
The Blair Bill.

has answered them IN so good spirit an
so satisfactorily that we are glad to hav
been instrumental in calling out his rt
plies. In turn, the Adrance interrogate
us on the same subject. But it has fun
nished us with so excellent formula 70
answering such interogatories that "
might Just as well as not borrow tina
papers words. The reader will perhap
recollect that we asked the AdUanc
how it reconciled its opposition to tn
BLAIR bill with its support of tn
Roanoke platform, which declared il
favor of the bill. We asked some othe
questions, the purport of which may b
gathered from the AdvGnce's reply. W
quote:
I'm the first place the Advance ha
never made any serious opposition to In
Blair bill. and has had comparatively lit
tie TO say about it. We did not care Il
touch the subject. In fact, when th'
question WAS first preached a few year
ago and placed in the Roanoke Demo
cratic platform we rather favored it a.
being. perhaps, the best mode Of dispo
sing Of the rapidly-increasing surplus II
the Treasury and defeating the Republi
can party. But during the recent able
aud animated debate in the United States
Senate on the question We read tht
speeches pretty closely on both sides
and came to the honest conclusion tina
the Blair bill is not only unconstitutional,
but a very Objectionable and dangerou!
experiment in several other particulars
and leading features. But the only point
we raised with the Dispatch was as tc
the cORstitaiOndlity Of the bill, and
we thought we had as much or as sound
authority on our side of the question as
our contemporary had On his. and that
our point was more consistent with the
national creed and past usage Of the
Democratic party"
AS to this last remark we repeat that il
is a waste of time to raise before the peo-
pie question of unconstitutionality in
regard to a bill pronounced constitu-
tional by even one third or, we might
say, one tenth of the best lawyers in
Congress. We have for years read the
debates in Congress on the same subject
and we have reached the conclusion that
the BLAIR bill is certainly constitutional.
SO we are afraid that our friend GLASS
read too much on the old-fogy side of
the question. Anyhow, the point that
the bill is unconstitutional is not prac-
tcal point. The AdVance further says
"Our esteemed contemporary, how
ever, in bis numerous questions seems
TO have forgotten to remember the i'm
portant fact that the Blair bill was never
heretofore made Democratic issue, and
was never a plank or creed in the ma
tional Democratic platform, under 1ilden
or any man"
That is q serious charge against the
Democratic party, for either the Demo-
cratic National Convention of 1884 de-
clared for the BLAIR bill or else that body
juggled with words and employed gilt
tering generalities of speech in order to
deceive the voters. That bill had been
before Congress before 1884, and the
people understood our national plat
form to refer TO it when that platform
said:
1--WE favor the diffusion OF
free education by common schools, so
that cuery child in the iand may be
taught the rights and duties Of citizen
ship"
There is no alternative, friend GLASS.
Either the Democrats deceived the peo-
ple in 1854 or the Democratic National
Convention declared for the BLAIR bill
or some better similar measure. The
Roanoke convention understood the
language last above quoted to refer to
the BLAIR bill for it borrows phrase
from il. The Roanoke platform says;
9TH. The Democratic party founded
and organized the public-school system
of Virginia, and has adopted every mea-
sure that has been passed to secure its
efficiency. and we pledge the party to IFS
continued support until erery child in
the Commonwealth, of whatever race
or color, may secure the benefits of
free education and We earnestly advo-
cate liberal appropriations by the Fede-
RAJ Government out Of the revenues in
aid Of the education of the children of
the several States in proportion to the
illiteracy, in accordance with the provi-
sions Of the Blair bill, or some better
measure"
Every child in the Commonwealth
is substituted for "every child in the
land" and the BLAIR bill is endorsed
in the same connection. "Own up"
old friend.
The next extracts are those which
pleased us 50 much. We quote:
"Now that the Blair bill has passed
Republican Senate and has gone TO tho
House for its action, We are candid to
think that that Democratic body should
at once duly consider and pass upon it,
one way or the other and, as the Vir-
ginia Democratic aud Republican mem
bers alike OF that body are pledged to it,
we think they ought to support and vote
for it. IL II fails then it is dead, and il
1t passes then 1t hangs upon the decision
W Al'0ibtHt CAcNtluuu. II ne blRfib IL,
it will be Law, and one party viii be en-
titled TO as much credit for 1t as the
other II be yetOes it then the Demo-
Gratis will have TO go before the country
on that as one issue"
Z" In 80 far as we are concerned about !
the matter, we stand like Stephen 4.
Douglas did in 1861 when the war com
meneed, and he was asked what would |
he do with his doctrine of 'squatter
sovereignty Douglas replied: Sir, |
let slavery go up or go doWn, am for
the Union.
"Now, that is the spirit in which we |
reply 10 the inquiry Of the Dispatch.
Let the Blair bill 20 up or go down, the
Adpance is for the Democratic party
and lis nominee..s
The Advance closes its article as fol.
lows:
~. Al DI.s- LIN