New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-27
THE N1TTON.fL ISSUE.

One Of the subjects which earnestly invite nj
emphatic expression Of public opinion at th'
| polls in this State and elsewhere on Novembe
| I Is the subject OF Democratic incapaclty t.
govern the country. 1t is subject which thu
Democratic party, through its representatives il
| Congress. has compelled the people to consider
with constant and anxious attention ever since
It was invested with complete power and {
noble opportunity. No doubt its leaders ant
their followers, including many of those who
| occasionally venture upon mild protest against
| some OF its misdoings, would be glad to re-
strict the activities of this campaign and the
| thoughts OF voters to local issues. But they will
not succeed In ignoring or thrlsting out of sight
| the great fundamental fact Of Democratic dis
honor and incompetence. That fact has been
| demonstrated during the last eight months in a
manner as conclusive as it is distressing and
disgraceful. and the effort to hide 1t Of those
who divide thu responsibility and the shame
must be as futile as it is natural.
This Is not a case where the many are asked
to believe what the few proclaim. The truth
has come home in gloom and suffering 10 all the
people. They know what they have been on
during and they have not needed TO look FUR
Their than Washington for perfect revelation
OF the causes Of disaster. year ago they did
not comprehend the extent or the sources OF
their prosperity and were deludc1 into trans
fcrring the public honor end welfare 10 the
keeping Of a party whose whole record was Il
demonstration of It's unftncss for the trust.
There has never been a moment since that act
Of monumental folly in which the evidence Of
their blundcr has not demanded rccogDition II
has gone on steadily accommodating until 1t has
become overwhelming. and it is signed and
sealed in the very conditions which surround
the beginning of action in tho Senate, after
prolonged period Of selfish and idle manocu-
wiring.
Forced at length by the tide Of public wrath
and scorn TO do something the Democratic
Senators. who from the first hour OF the extra
session had been assured Of Republican CO.
operation in every wise and patriotic cndeavor'
surrendered prccipitatcy what they had been
proclaiming for months as sacred convictions
and signed their lanes 10 Il comproms" which
proposed to throw away the last vc>fige OF
honor and the last hope Of relief And then.
finally. at an intimaton Of Executive rcbuk"
and resistance, they capitnated ouce more. and.
stripped Of the last remnant OF credit and conf
deucc. agreed 10 stand mp and be counted. such
are the record and spectacle which Democrats
would rejoice 10 hide from the eyes and minds
of voters Their anita onists could not crafty
them If they would. and there Is every reason
why they should not try. II the country is hap
PLY beginning TO emerge from the black shadow
Of universal disaster. il Is because the Rcpub-
lican minority in Congress. inspired and sup
ported by Republican sentiment throughout the
land, has defended and sustained the common
welfare with unfatcring courage and devotion.
II Is right and 1t is Inevitable that the sole
source ~ misfortune aud the only hope Of
safety should be recognized and comprchcndcd