New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-28
A TEST OF LOYALTY.


1t is easy to profess deep generation for the
PEOPLES wisdom, unhesitatng devotion to the
PEOPLES will. unqualified readiness to submit
to their decision. But the genuine loyalty
that actually submits, and does not try to de-
feat the will of the people by trick or fraud, Is
not quite so common.
Thee is test ready at hand. Legislation
on questions of the highest importance is ear
nestly desired by people of all parties. Reduc-
ton of revenue is a recognized necessity, ana
is opposed by scarcely anybody. But the Dem
ocrats have been in control Of the House Tor
six years, and have neither devised any plan
of reduction that could be adopted nor asSented
to any which a Republican Senate has proposed
and the necessity is now greater than ever.
There is urgent need of coast defences, of bet
ter foreign mail facilities, of an improved In
terstate Commerce law, of protection OF for
ests, of simpler and safer land laws, of suffrage
reform and more effective election laws, of re-
construction of the judiciary so that Justice may
not be so long delayed, and OF important
changes in pension laws. The need of legisla-
ton in these and many other directions is gen
orally acknowledged not merely by one party
but by many citizens of both, and in most cases
by nearly all the people.
What has been the popular decision ? Plain
Iy, that there shall be action on these questions
in the line of Republican policy. In 1882 the
people decided to try Democratic House, and
elected 80 Democratic majority, and it did
nothing. In 1884 they elected a House hav-
ing AZ Democratic majority, and it did moth
ing. In 1886 they elected a House having
nearly 90 Democratic majority, and 1t did
nothing. Now they have elected House hav-
ing a Republican majority. The people have
decided against Democratic theories and Dem
ocratic delays. They have voted to turn over
to Republicans the power to act, in order that
pending questions may be settled in accord
with Republican principles.
1t would be the part Of genuine loyalty to
submit to this decision. But it is hardly pos
sble to open a Democratic paper without see
ing the declaration, more or less distinctly
made that Democrats mean to defeat by any
method within their power, legislation in the
line of Republican policy. Leading men among
them openly declare that the whole party will
fight and hlibuster, though the wheels of gov
eminent should be stopped and all needed
legislation prevented, in order to deprive the
Republican majority of power to determine
what measures shall be taken up and passed.
For some weeks after the election the plot even
contemplated the defeat of a Republican or
ganization in the House, and crimes were per-
petrated with that object which have yet to be
| investigated
The loyal men of this country will respect
| the declared will of the people. If any of
| them dissent from this or that measure which
may be proposed, they will exercise their right
of recording their votes against it, but they
will not try to prevent necessary legislation be-
cause they cannot have it exactly as they wish
| 1t is not the part of loyal citizen to endeavOr
by preventing organization of the House, or by
preventing adoption Of rules which enable a
majority to do business or by filibustering
| against pending measures, to defeat the de-
! cison of the people last fall. The country
| needs legislation on many subjects. 1t has a
| right to demand that Republicans, who have
| been chosen by the people to do the work shall
not be deprived Of ability to take up these sub
ects in such order as they may deem wise, and
to bring the House TO direct vote upon meas
ures proposed. Filibusteiing to defeat the
will of the people will certainly be resented by
voters as an act of diSloyalty to the sovereign
| power.