New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-28
IBOTT THE SENATE.

In one Western State after another decisions
of the courts in election cases turn IN FAVOR Oh
the Republicans. From day to day II looks
more as if the Democrats might not nave
majority Of the Senate legally elected, ana II
they should be obliged t. make terms with the
few members belonging 10 the Peoples party
in order 10 get control of the organization OF
the Senate. though that could perhaps be done
it. would be at the expense Of pledges III regard
10 legislation which might afterWard prove en-
barrassine. For this state Of things, if 1t re-
suIts. those Democrats will be responsible who
advis and virtually commanded the fusion oil
Democrats and populsts in Western states, 1or
without such combination on some officers the
Republicans would clearly have carried the
Legislatures Of all the states now IN dispute
and would have elected the United states sen
ators from all This advice or command came
from the nearest friends and trusted agents OF
the candidate, and if he has trouble with the
rcyt Senate. il will be due to the deliberate
choice of his party to defeat the Republicans II
possible. without regard to the sacrifice OF pub
lie interests.
There ought to be no misunderstanding about
the wishes Of Republicans in this matter As
respects party interests, they have sincerely
desired from the moment they found that the
Democrats had elected President and ma
ioritv of the House, that the same party should
also have control of the Senate. so that its re-
sponsibity for legislation should be complete.
For more than thirty years the Democratic
party has been telling continually what bless
ings it could confer upon the people If per
mitted to frame tariff and coinage laws at its
pleasure. Many voters have been deluded by
these persistent professions. 1t Is a good time
to see whether the Democratic party can realize
for the country better results than have been
realized under Republican laws.
Republicans might well be altogether eager
as respects partisan interests 10 face this test
1t is their firm belief that the Democratic party
can never apply It's theories in practice, without
producing such results as u convince the people
that those theories are wrong. The more fully
they are applied the more convincing Will be
the demonstration. Being thoroughly sincere
in this belief, Republicans feel assured that a
permanent triumph of their principles would re
suit from any fair test Of Democratic laWmak-
ing 1t is possible that the people never viii
entirely realize the blessings which they owe
10 Republican measures. until they have some
practical experience of Democratic legislation.
But the partisan here, as everywhere else,
must Weld precedence u the patriot. First Of
all the patriotic citizen must insist that the
actual decision of the people shall be obcycd
and enforced. If they have not cast the legal
votes to secure Democratic Senate, no one
has a right to inhict that evil upon them. If
through all their mistakes and blundcrs they
have yet 50 voted that strictly legal enforce
men. # their will depryes the Democratic party
Of power in the Senate and of ability 70 make
laws at its pleasure, the Republicans cannot
regret a decision which saves the country from
grave risk or calamity, even though il compels
them to rely upon education of the people, by
more difficult means than by practical expert
ence, to secure lasting triumph of Rcpub
lican principles. For Republicans cannot es.
cape the conviction that any fair application
and test of Democratic ideas would work great
harm. They believe it would destroy some in
dustries and cripple others They believe II
would net only stop the growth of many manu-
features and cause the practical abandonment
of others but would injure all most seriously
by reducing the purchasing and consuming
power Of the millions OF wage-earnclS. Not
even for the sake Of lasting partisan success can
republicans wish such a public calamity, if the
people have MT by their votes brought it upon
themselves. lIenc. it becomes their duty, rather
a, patriotic citizens than as partisans, TO do
what they can to secure an accurate and lawful
expression Of the peoples will in the election
of Senator's. and 70 resist u, far ~ possible a
change Of National policy which they believe
will injmc the country incidentally.