Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-24
SATURDAY. JANUARY "a. 1891.
Mot tha closure Rule, put the Force BiIl.

In the better DAYS Of the republic the
United States Senate was so conservative
body and so well known to be opposed to
al rash proceedings and all legislation OF
dangerous nature that it became the Gus
tom of our people 70 appeal to that body
In all times of trouble 10 lay its staying
hand upon the unwise legislation proposed
by the House of Representatives. LOOK
10 the Senatel" was the exclamation heard
from every section of the Union. This cry
went up TO Washington and nerved the
senators for any contest they might have
before them.
We would not encourage unfounded
hopes in the breast of any true patriot who
Is now mourning over the condition OF
things prevailing in the two houses OF
Congress. We have no sufficient grounds
upon which to base such hopes. And yet
we cannot but hope against hope. We can
not but contemplate the possibility that
the country may yet be saved even by such
sSenate as now occupies one wing of the
national Capitol, and threatens to pass a
force bill, which, should it ever become
law. would almost certainly work the de-
struction Of our republican form of gov
eminent. and establish upon its ruins
huge consolidated central despotism pos
sessing unlimited powers, controlled by
no constitution, subject TO no supervision
by the people, and bound by no considera-
tions except such as the exigencies of the
moment might induce the ruling spirits of
such despotismfto keep in mind.
II is at least possible that there will be
found in tins Sodom patriots enough to
save our country from present ruin. The
debate and the votes in the Senate upon
the closure rule threaten danger to the
country, because the adoption of such
rule paves the way TO the passage of the
force dill. This is the monster that alarms
the land and causes patriots to quake with
fear-not fear of personal harm or personal
danger, but fear that the latest experiment
in government by the people will prove to
be the last.
The House of Representatives cannot
help the minority in the Senate to defeat
the closure rule proposed by Mr.. ALDRIcH,
but the Democrats in the former body can
hold up the hands of their senatorial col
leagues so far as the force bill concerned.
They can contest every inch of ground;
and they should do so. We have said again
and again that the Democrats IN the House
should have the courage of their convic-
tons. They were arraigned before the
people last fall as obstructionists, but the
people gave them an "illimitable chart to
blow on when they pleased" as filibusters.
They were told to filibuster on every pro-
per occasion. and throw the responsibility
of defeated legislation, necessary or I'M
necessary, upon the malignants who would
destroy our Government IN order to per-
petuate their own rule. In q word, the
Democrats in the House of Representa-
tives were last November authorized to do
whatever was necessary and proper in or
der to battle the conspirators headed by
REED, who seek power at the expense
of our free institutions.
For these reasons we do not under
stand why our friends in the House
OF Representatives should fear to fill
buster against the passage of the APP
preparation bills. The more important
the measure the more urgent the demand
for it TO be defeated as means of alarm
ing the slumbering masses. Instead of
permitting the Republicans to hold up
the prospect of an extra session in terroren
over the Democrats the Democrats ought
to threaten the Republicans with the same
thing. These same Republicans would
rather face the voters in new election
than face the next Democratic House of
Representatives. The Republican Presi-
dent of the United States would rather en-
counter IAN army with banners" than an
investigation of the acts of his Admins
tration by q committee of the House of
Representatives elected by an indignant
people last fall. In word. no flbuster-
ing that the Democrats in the House OF
Representatives could possibly do would
induce the Republicans TO bury MIR. HAIR
RIsos's Administration in an extra session
OF Congress. The orders of the people to
the Democrats in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes are
Strike I'LL the last armed foe expires
Strike for the green graves Of your sires,
Strike for your affairs and your nres,
God and your native land"
But fight with the legislators weapons,
not the soldier's