Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-15
THURSDAY. . JANUARY Is, 1891.
Assumptions OF the Republicans.

Assumptions OF the repuOIiOahS'
Underlying the force bill are certain as
sumptions which have characterized the
policy OF the Republican party we might
say for thirty years. and which show that
that party is not national.or patriotic, but
sectional and unpatriotic. We name some
OF these assumptions and tell to what they
have led.
The first assumption and the foundation
one is that the Republican party has
divine right TO rule. The pretensions OF
the SruARTs. of CHAMDoRD, and OF CARLOS
find reproduction here in democratic
America. The old Puritan doctrine Is
habitualy acted on-namely. that the
earth is the Lords and belongs to his
saints. 1--WE are his saints therefore the
earth is ours" In other words, I'VE.
the Republicans. being the party Ell
moral ideas, of wealth and intelligence,
have. In virtue Of our merits and our his
toric deeds, the exclusive right TO rule
this country" This assumption is made
the excuse for the most iagitious viola
tions of law and for disregarding public
opinion and the public welfare. For exam
pie, treaty as to the fisheries negotiations
by an able commission was cOntemptuous-
" rejected by Republican Senate
without deliberate consideration, lest the
settlement of an annoying dispute might
iuure TO the benefit Of Democratic Adj
ministraton. National peace, national
honor, national interests weighed not
feather if they seemed tor the time being
10 stand in the way of party success.
Another example is found IN the force
bill which is pressed upon Congress by
the President and his advisers in order
through machinery controlled by him to
perpetuate party supremacy in spite Of
possibly because of-the popular dlsap-
proval expressed in the last elections.
A second arrogant assumption of the Re
publicans is that to be Democrat is con-
elusive evidence of disloyalty and lncom-
potency. The fact being conceded that q
man is Democrat, the adverse assump-
tons are acted upon, and no past services.
no commission from the people, no merits
however exalted or well established. can
rebut the presumption. Republican
pledges and committals in favor OF civil
service reform are construed as inapplica-
bic or not binding where Democrats could
be benetted-consideratio of Republi-
can rights or claims excluding every other
consideration. When vacancies occurred
in the Federal courts during Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS presidency there were clamorous
and insolent demands that they should be
filed by Republicans Notwithstanding that
the Federal judiciary was already monopo-
lized by them, and that clear majority of
the people were undoubtedly Democrats.
When Mr.. Justice LAMAR was nominated
for the Supreme bench. howl went up
from the Republican press, the echoes
Of which have even now hardly died away.
When Mr.FULLER was nominated for Chief
Justice, his pure character and great
ability were set aside, as furnishing no
qualifications for an office which belonged
to his political opponents. To secure par
tisan control in the Senate new States are
hastily admitted into the Union, and SEN
stors with no legal credentials are seated
in the great council-chamber. Legisla-
lures are manipulated, certificates of cleo
ton are given. and mNjorities are created
by clerical usurpations. "Chandlerize
becomes a word likely TO take its place in
our vocabulary alongside of Gerry
mander." Populous Territories are kept
in provincial popilage lest the senator's to
be chosen should be of the Democratic
faith. From the House of Representatives
duly-elected members are excluded, and
their seats given 10 Republican contest
ants IN shameless disregard of law and
testimony and votes.
The men who favored these iniquities
are the same, we repeat, who father the
force bill and who for so many years have
tried 20 keep alive the prejudices and pas
sions of the four-years' war between the
States. Such men and their party deserve
icnominious deaths