New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-20
DROP 1T.

II il an extraordinary spectacle WHICH 'he
Democratic organs present. as well OF 'hem-
selves as of their party, in the frantic effort
they are making to hold Republicans respon-
sible for the defeat of the Silver Repeal bill.
With the Presidency filled, as they claim by
popular tidal wave with majority IN the
House of 81, and in the Senate OF D WIN
definite plan marked out by their
chosen leader for them to pursue, they
are whining all oyer the country that the Re
pnblicans do not give them enough help and
will be responsible for the failure OF the Re-
neal bill unless their aid becomes more active
and ardent! They even venture to attack the
Renubicans. and. as if it were the duty of the
party of opposition to supply strength and votes
to fine responsible party in power whenever its
own factional hates and differences render it
mpotent, they threaten the Republican MINOR
ity with popular rebuke unless 1t stra1ghuWay
becomes the brain and right arm OF the Al
ministration. But it must not be supposed that
for this great act of self effacement ana hlgh-
minded generosity the Administration, or any
member of the Democratic party, Is under the
smallest obligation. Not at all. While with
one breath the Democracy is begging on de-
handing that Republicans rush to the rescue
of its President, thrown down by his own par
tisans. with the next it is menacing their high
est and dearest principles and daring them TO
a fight without quarter The party that asks
them to pull its load up the hill stands by
while they strain and rains blows IN their
| faces. Republicans are generous and patrlouc,
but they do not profess to be supernatural.
Where would Mr. Cleveland be to-day, as to
his financial policy had the Republican minor
ity confined itself to the ordinary function OF
a party in opposition? Where would the coun-
fry be in IFS business and affairs-the country
that elected this party of destruction and gave
il full power at Westinghouse the reso-
lutte, compact and earnest Republican minority,
though charged with no duty save that OF ex-
posing the disagreement OF the responsible
party III power, had not stepped forward to the
support OF the President as it it were his vet
Gran guardp 1t was the knowledge that they
would so stand that saved his Administration
from wreck in the very first crisis that con-
fronted him. In the test vote to re-enact the
Bland bill 112 Democrats supported the cause
of silver imitation and only 03 were recorded
against it, Had the business interests OF the
country been left to the tender mercies Of the
party solely charged with the duty of con-
serving them the result would have been an
, other flood of silver But 40 Republicans
stood in opposition to the majority faction oil
the Democracy and defeated it. They saved
TIE honor and authority of the Democratic Ad-
ministration. and so far as the silver question
affects it they secured the welfare of the
I country.
They stand ready TO repeat in the Senate the
f service they did in the House 1t is admitted
g by "Thc New-Yorl World" which has the
II assurance to lecture Republican Senators OF
d their duties and responsibilities that there arr
/ twenty -four Democrats in the Senate a ma
II jority of their party. who are expected to vote
) against repeal, 1t does not seem to occur t
the Democratic organs to address their hOmlie
!. on responsibility to these obstructive member
: of their own fraternity. They must indeed
4 be handled tenderly lest there be split in th'
: Democracy, and the men on whom the saddle
of responsibility must be clnched are the Re
e publican minority, who. as "The Newly orl
Herald cleverly puts it, decline TO vote will
/ one hand while forced to fight with the other
The American people are not such dots a
Y these Democratic organs imagine The Dem
ocratic party is in a majority in both house
y of Congress and il has the Presidency II CAV
its programme TO the people in the Chicag
Convention. and il received the full gift o
power it asked. 1t was clipper enough abou
=, assuming responsibility before the election. ]
asked no odds Of anybody then. 1t was al
ready for everything. II cannot now transfe
either power responsibility The people ar
1 not looking to Republicans for legislation, ant
the men to whom they are looking must under
stand at once that they cannot fight ant
wrangle among themselves, and then, whit
mporing Republicans to compose their differ
ences and 10 rescue the country from the snar
and confusion in which their imbeciiy AM
fractional animosity have got it, turn in bod.
and assault their rescuerS.