The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-09
NATIONAL PROTEST.

The proposition, whlch Wao nlS' ""'""N'"
AZ the celebration by iammany Hall, on
Friday issk Of the anniversary Of the Decla-
ration Of Independence, that general meet
ines shall be called by the leaders OF the
Democratic party n every part OF the
United states, TO protest against the pass
are of the National Election treasure 10y
the Senate, was eminently proper, so far as
the Northern communities were concerned,
although not at all likely to maize the slight
est impression 90 the intentions OF the re
publican majority in the Senate. Nothing'
however. is TO be gained by holding such
meetings in the south. The only good that
can be accomplished by these meetings.
when held in the Northern States, is to
bring out more clearly before the view OF
the Northern people the extreme extent TO
which the usurpations of the Republican
party have been carried in the measures
which they have already passed, or when
they now have under adyisement.
1t is the duty of the members OF the De
morracy of the North TO come together in
every State, in every county. in every
township, ard make a solemn appeal to the
nubllc sentiment of their section, iriespec-
five of partisan associations, against the
impending iDiquity of the enactment OF the
National Election bill into a part OF the
statutory laws Of this rO,.nuy. This ap-
neal. however Ineffective it may prove
itself 10 be. so far as the Senate is involved,
NAV exert very powerful influence III
arousing the public opinion OF the North so
thoroughly that the Congressional elections
this fall shall disclose complete reaction,
even in the Northern states, against the Re
publican party, on account Of It's recent
course in general, and its action in connec-
ton with the election measure in particular
1t would appear as if the Northern De-
mocracy had not shown as deep concern
with reference 20 the latter measure as was
to have been expected, but this, no doubt
has been due 10 It's partial inability to ap-
preciate fully the whole extent of the evil
which THE measure will inevitably work
Long before this measure passed the House
/. would have been well if 'he'e had been
exhibited strong disposition on the part OF
the Northern Democracy to raise a
universal remonstrance against 1t,
with view of meuld'nf public
opinion in opposition 10 it. 1t is true
that this remOnstTance was expressed
through the Democratic press Of the North,
but much more might have been accom-.
plished by a series OF popular meetings,
again and again repeated ii necessary.
Even now il 10 moi too late. 1t may be too
late, II is true, to obstruct the passage Of
the Election bill in the Senate, but il IS not
too late to show the people of the United
States that the Democracy is always ready
to raise its voice against every encroach-
ment upon The constitution and every cur
tailment of the rights Of the people.
Itwould, indeed be Just ground faT the
most melancholy forebodings if such a
measure as the National Election bill could
become a law without general end Bys-
tematic protest being raised by the party
that alone represents the spirit of Constitu-
tional right and National liberty. Fifty
years ago, the mere suggestion Of such a
measure in Ceng,rss would have raised a
STORM in every State Of the Union. The bare
prospect Of its passing would have led to
public meetings in every community, how
ever large or however small Now ii seems
to be accepted, even by the Democracy, as
reflection Of the declining spirit ofthe age,
and, therefore, TO be regarded with stoicai
philosophy, undisturbed by the slightest
disposition 10 utter an organized remon-
STRANGE.