The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-05
REPUBLICAN SCHEMES.
Tho Desperate Means by Which the G. O.
2. Hopes to Remain in Power.

them by his party, are well calculated to
awaken Indignation among Democrats
and all others whose eyes have not
been blinded by party spirit to the enor'
mites of which irresponsible partisan
ship is capable. This Indignation is
wholesome. In it we find the best guar
anty or the permanence OF republican
Institutions In any government IN
which the appeal is not Immediately to
force, public opinion is the arbiter. Ell
forts to divide public opinion, as divis-
ions are made often in Congress, by
strict party lines, are successful in all
but extreme cases. In such cases pub
lie opinion breaks down the barriers OF
party; not altogether, it is true, but to
an extent sufficient to shift the balance
of power from one side to the other. 1t
has become sort of political axiom
that when things are simply bad they |
will probably go on as they are, but
when they become very bad change
may be speedily expected
The course of the majority in the
House is an evidence of their despera-
ton. They know perfectly well that
they do not represent a majority OF the
people of the United States; that the
slender majority which is theirs was OBJ
tanned by combination OF accident,
false pretense and corruption. Their
numerical superiority, apart from the
means by which it was obtained, is too
small to enable them to carry out the
purpose which they have in view.
Hence their determination to increase
Il without any reference to the merits
of the cases in contest. Having resolved
on one crime against popular suffrage,
they feel they have resolved on all
others necessary to the preparation OF
the first. To ignore the will Of the SOW
ereign people expressed in the choice OF
their representatives is the greatest Of
Tense possible in republic; compared
with this. rulings as to points OF parlia-
mentary law are insignificant Most of
the contested election cases have al
ready been decided in advance of a
hearing, on the simple ground that Re-
publican interests will be subserved by
depriying the contestees of the seats to
which they were elected. Having re-
solved to do this grievous and irrepar-
able wrong, they can not be expected to
harbor scruples as to mere parliament
airy questions.
The methods by which, in the cleo
tions of 1883, the Republican party Sc
cured not only the Presidency but a
slender majority in the House are well
remembered; and they account for the
,,,r1i ph, r. tbpir n
proceedings. In that canvass they were
afraid to meet squarely the issue ten
dered. They appealed boldly to the
protected interests for corruption
fund on the ground that those interests
were the chief beneficiaries Of the tariff
laws. But in localities where protected
interests were not dominant they re-
fused to discuss tariff reform upon its
merits. They appealed from that ISSUE
to the prejudices following struggle
that had been ended for nearly quar-
ter of century. They told the people
to whom the Mills bill would have beer
worth millions that they must not &C
cept it because it had been framed by
committee of which Southern mel
formed part; that there were anon!
them rebel brigadiers that sought t.
kill by tariff bill the country which
they had vainly assailed with cannon
and rifles. They rallied to their sup
port all the robust mendicants in tn
country who were offended because thei
demands to be supported in idleness a
the expense of the taxpayers had no
been instantly granted. With all thi
obscuring of the real issue they won b
narrow margin, and the popular ma
iority was against them. Thus, Will
restored to power, they took it, couple
with a vote of want of confidence fror
the country The men to whom tn
party was mortgaged for this means
corruption have marked the situatio
and realized that now is the time
foreclose. After another election tn
party may be bankrupt. The lien mus
be enforced while there are assets
sight. Hence, the desperation wit
which measures are pushed to enlare
the Republican majority to workin
basis, that the monopolists may get tn
legislation for which they paid the
money eighteen months ago.
There is material for encouragement
in the suggestion that the outrageol
character of these measures indicate
that power is slipping from their a
thors When things are at their wor
thew begin to mend. But we should n
overlook the fact that, nevertheless, II
country must pay for its mistakes. III
stupendous mistake of restoring the
publican party to power in 1883 is su
to be costly one. The party is goil
to make the best of its opportunities.
will make the burdens of the peop
heavier, instead of lighter, and the
burdens can not be speedily remove
no matter how great the reaction mi
prove If the Republicans are repu'
ated at the Congressional elections ne
fall, it will be nearly two years, dati
from the present, before another Go
rrcss will meet. The Harrison ADM
istration will last moro than three yea
no matter what may be the result OF
next Presidential election. The Sen;
is now largely Republican, and chang
in that body are comparatively sic
The mischief which the present Congr'
will do will live afterit. A
These considerations warrant the CO
clusion that, though the Republicans
Congress are playing desperate gar
there is sort of method in their M
ness. Despairing of success in the +
To hn of