New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-17
.JusyJcE FOR THE TERRITORIES.

Jus,ice moves with slow feet, and yet always
too fast for those who prefer wrong w iisnV'
Tho exclusion of Territories because uneir III
habitants were not certain to favor 1pe 'ei,V
cratic PARTY, has offended the conscience o. 'ne
Nation long time, and yet there seemed no
nrocress toward redress. True, every year the
Tarritor;es became more strongly opposed TO
the Democratic party on account Oh uiis III
Justice. Every year that party iost VoOes III
The States. because Of the disffanchisemene VI
industrious and enterprising citizens VINO hau
migrated to new homes in the lar Wess, puO
had left friends behind them. Yet until the
last week there appeared no reason to hope tha1
either Of the Territories would obtain adms-
sion IN the Union, until battle had been
tonight and won between a scanty Repuphcah
majority in the next House and Democratic
minority.
Tho defeat of the Democrats in the house on
Thursday and Friday was therefore surprise
70 MANY. 1t had not seemed likely that any
conscionsness of the wrong done and the dis
grace incurred would move suiiicient IracuVh
of the Democrats to go further than the hypo-
critical proposition made by Mr. springer
which was intended to defeat as long as pos
sible the admission of any Republican Ierrl-
tories. and TO prevent it if that should prove
possible, while opening the door for the au-
mission of Territories neither qualified nor nt'
because they were likely to be DemocTau0'
But as the end of the session approached MI
Cox, who deserves credit for having mahiunJ
urged more honest course during the ehVHo
session, found other Democrats who wouiu sup,
mort him. They began to realize that IL woulu
only harm their party to persist IN ponuca
crime. They saw that a prolonged struggle az
the next session over this shameless pohcy
would deepen public hostility. mus IL cailo
to pass that the Democratic majority IN 'no
House was teaten, and tardy justice tnunpheu
in the ms ructions given to the oohlerenoe
Committee on Friday.
II is still possible that resistance to lus1
settlement may be made with some e,ieo''
The close of the session draws near, anu tne
remaining time may possibly be was'eu ~
few fibusters. il men can be found reckless
enough to put themselves and thelr parry a"
such an attitude. If that happens, the hepuo-
licans will probably be prepared 10 ineet 'no
Issue. insisting that the decision OF the House
last Friday shall be carried into effect even
though appropriation bills fail, and an extra
session is made inevitable. Their position VIII
then be absolutely justiiiable, and VIII com
mand the approval of the country II tne
Democrats have any wisdom left, they WIN not
terminate so disgracefully their control oil iegis
lation in the House.
The lesson which this passage Of history sug-
eests is not a new one. Thirty years ago. be
fore half of those who are now voters were ola
enough to understand public affairs or were
residents of this country, another great ponu-
cal crime of the same nature brought about the
overthrow of the Democratic party. Its action
regarding Kansas and Nebraska had been gov
erned by that desperate and conscienceless
craftsmanship which shrinks from no political
crime that promises temporary gain for party.
Kansas and Nebraska were for years excluded
in order to enable the Democratic party 70 re-
tain it's waning power in the Senate ana IN
the Electoral Colleges, and the penalty was the
DISRUPTION and crushing defeat OK that parry
through the very power thus secured for the
slaveholding States Had Kansas and Ne
brasxa been admitted prior to 1859, as hon
esty required, it is probable that conspiracy
Of rebels would not have ruled the Democratic
marty to it's ruin in 1850. From the defeat
thus richly earned the party never recovered
until more than half of the voters of that day
had passed from life, many Of them on the
battle-6elds which crushed a Democratic re-
bellion. That Democrat is wise who refuses
again to stake the future Of his party upon the
continued success Of crime against self-gov-
eminent.