The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-01
Let Congress Get to Democratic Work.

Let SOnHTebS ocS W DCihoCEoSO
Unquestionably there is excuse II not
justification for the difference Of opinion
among both the Democrats and Republic
cans OF Congress touching the proposition
for the unconditional repeal Of the purchase
clause OF the SHERMAN act. The platforms
of both parties admit Of such disagreement.
and both Of them would appear to have been
specially and adroitly constructed for the
purpose OF evading definite decision Of the
silver question.
That question was left open to debate. 1t
was left to settle itself. Both parties made
their great issues on the question Of the
tariff and the QUESTION OF the Force bill.
The silver question. accordingly. is now
undergoing wholly bipartisan discussion
in Congress. Both parties are split on it;
or rather the disagreement with regard to
it. recognized and permitted by the plat
forms Of each. Is maniiesting itself In each.
II the provision Of the SHERMAN law is I'M
conditionally repealed. the result will be
achieved by q combination that Ia In no
sense partisan. 1t will be accomplished by
a majority made up Of both Democrats and
Republicans. and only so can 1t be accom-
pished. The Republicans being In mi
norlty In both Houses Of Congress, OF course
they are powerless to pass any measure OF
themselves. The Democratic advocates Of
unconditional repeal are In hopeless
minority in the Senate. and they can only
succeed in their purpose by the aid OF the
majority OF the Republican minority.
Thus the silver question as now presented
to Congress forms no issue between the
parties. The division upon it is not parti-
san. Inside OF each party there Is disagree
ment as to 1t. The position OF Senator or
Representative with reference to it cannot
DO treated as test OF his party fealty.
Good Democrats and good Republicans are
on both sides. Neither side can be read out
of Its party because OF Its convictions and
It's vote on that question. A like difference
exists among the great body OF Democrats
and Republicans respectively. There Is no
party union on the subject. Moreover. tho
question has not been referred to the people
for their judgment. The only indication
Of the popular desire Is afforded by unpar-
tisan expressions Of public opinion. indicat-
ing that the majority OF the people as a
whole aud without reference to party lines,
are anxious for repeal.
When that question Is removed from the
however. the party lines are drawn sharply
on the tariff and the Federal Election law.
On each side. Democratic and Republican.
the position OF a Congressman with refer
ence to either or both Is test OF his party
loyalty. A Democrat who does not vote for
the repeal OF the Election law, and for the
destruction OF the whole system Of protec-
ton. and for a constitutional tariff for rev.
enue only. is false to his party. He for
feits his title to the name of Democrat. He
puts himself outside Of the Democracy.
He Is servant falthless to the Democracy
and the people. Conversely the same holds
true with the Republicans.
Hence We rejoice to think that the nom
partisan question OF silver must soon be
out Of the way. and then the square parti-
san issues decided by the people last No.
vember. will be settled by Congress In ao-
cordance with their mandate. The specta-
Gle Of Democratic Administration and Q
Democratic Congress counting a necessary
Republican alliance In order to pass q meas
ure as to which Democrats disagree. Is not
refreshing, is not edifylng. Is not politically
healthful. Naturally the Democrats meet
the Republicans to contest with them over
great principles and policies 1t is unnatu-
raj that they should go to them for help.
1t Is humiliating that Democratic Admin
istration should be relying upon it. when
the whole power is In their own hands. Mr..
CRISP is Speaker OF the House OF Represent
atives. and not Mr. REED. Vicc-Presid emit
STEVENSON Is presiding over the Senate.
and not Mr.. MORTON. Mr.. CLEVELAND, is in
the White House. and not Gen. HARRISON.
The Democrats are asking no Republican
help to repeal the Election law. They ex-
poet and invite united Republican hostility.
They want no Republican aid to destroy the
robbery Of unconstitutional projection and
to pass constitutional tariff for revenue
only. They intend to do the whole Job. OF
themselves and unaided. In obedience TO the
command Of the majority Of the people.
This extraordinary session of Congress
has now been In the Capitol nearly two
months, and Mr.. CLEVELAND has been In
the White House nearly seven months. 1t
is nearly eleven months since the people