The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-04
DEMOCRATS DECLINE TO HAMPER
HARRISON.
a Correspondents Thinks Great Opportuni-
ties Have Been Neglected.
baltimore SUM-

WASHINGTON, March 26.-If the
DemocraticSenators had policy just
now, they could have a splendid time
in helping along the difficulties, embar-
easements and dissensions which en-
viron the Republican happy family.
With all the caution and moderation
attending the action Of the President in
/ the making Of nominations, there have
already been several cases where the
Democrats, ifso disposed, could by act
ing together have caused blighted
hopes and bitter resentment. But they
have not since the fourth of March
made the slightest attempt to play at
the same game of politics. They have
let slip by their opportunities, which
the Republican Senators, under SINH
lar circumstances, would have caught
in wise like grasp. They have sat in
executive session day after day, and
with the most remarkable indifference
have failed to take advantage of cir
cumstances which played right into
their hands. They have actually by
their supineness helped the admins
tration out of difficulties which some of
its own friends sought to throw around
it. This may be magnanimous and
generous, but it is not politics, and the
contrast is most striking between the
conduct of the Republican Senators
during the whole of the Cleveland ad-
lninistration.
In the almost even division of the
Senate, sharp and shrewed manage
ment on the Democratic side and con-
cert of action could give that party
many chances to divide its opponents.
Whitelaw Reid, for instance, is bitterly
disliked by at least dozen Republi-
can Senators, and the faction Of the
Republican party with which he
trains is hated by all the other factions.
Those who know all the facts are well
aware thatit would easily have benin
the power of the Democratic Senators
to defeat Mr.. Reid's confirmation, by a
round about way, to be sure, but still
not the less effective. The Republican
Senators opposed 20 Mr.. Reid, and who
would have been accessories, would of
course be charged with all the blame,
and party harmony impaired.
During the period Of the Hayes ad-
ministration the Democratic Senators
who combined with Mr.. Conkling to
turn down the Presidents nominations
played good politics, for that very COM
bination was the forerunner of the Re-
publican split in New York which
really to this day is unhealed. The
turning down ofWhitelaw Reid would
have torn this split wide open. But the
Democratic Senators failed to avail
themselves of what was almost thrown
at them. The spasmodic raid of Sena-
tor Vest upon Mr.. Reid on account of
some business transaction was not the
proper manner of attack, and even had
it been otherwise it had but a feeble
second from his side. 1t is said that one
reason why Mr.. Reid was suffered to go
through was because a Democratic
Senator from the Pacific coast received
assurances that the Consul-General at
Paris, what is his friend, will not be
disturbed. In other words, the prospect
of keeping personal friend in petty
office was permitted to outweigh the
certainty of an important political
result. Ofcourse, now that Mr.. Reid is
confirmed, the Democratic Consul
General at Paris will be removed as
soon as Mr.. Blaine settles upon his
successor.