The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-04
SATURDAY, MARCH 4. 1898.
SIX PAGES.
Is THE COUNTRY DISAPPOINTED In
THE LATE CONGRESS?

The Atlanta Journal claims that the
country has been disappointed In the
Congress that has just expired. Before
we can yield either our assent 10 or dis
sent from the proposition we must under
stand just what is meant by the coun-
try" II that part Of the population
which consists of the rabble. the cranks,
the political bummers and the dema-
gogues in quest OF salaried offices is TO be
considered 'the country" 1.-The country"
IS no doubt disappointed on account OF
what Congress has not done. But II the
God-fearing people who ask for nothing
but that they may be let alone TO gain
an honest living by serious toll. and who
wish to see every man left in undisturbed
possession of what is his. are to be con-
sidered 'the country" then the coun-
try" hesves a sigh Of relief that II Is
safely rid OF the Fifty-third Congress,
and thanks God that He has stood be-
tween them and its powers OF evil and has
saved them from what that Congress ful-
Iy had Il in mind TO make them suffer.
In passing judgment upon the Jour
nails proposition it is very important
therefore that we should have clear
conception OF what is meant by 1.-The
country" II we consider Weaver. Field,
Mrs. Lease and Malone and those whom
they represent as constituting "the coun-
try" then the country thinks that the
late Congress has wholly failed TO per-
form its duty to the country" just as
the French Anarchist Ravachol was OF
opinion that the legislative body of
France wholly failed in its duty to France
when II persistently refused to confiscate
all private property. There Is another
country" however. which has been
beautifully discussed by the late Judge
Curtis, Of Massachusetts, and which he
defines as the embodiment of the aspira-
lions Of a people towards honesty, moral
ity and order. A citizen OF this country
he adds, has all the rights which can
be had; and among those rights he emil
nently has that OF requiring the Govern
ment OF which he is a constituent part to
do nothing which shall stain his honor
or shock his sense OF justice or lessen
his patriotism, or deprive him or MS
share Of the glory OF his country; and, II
any public act does this, he has as much
right 10 feel aggrieved as II his personal
liberty was infringed." Those who cen
stitute the ideal Of this country are
grateful that Providence has interposed
and has averted from the country the
direful caiamities with which the late
Congress threatened them.
When we look back at what the late
Congress supposed itself elected to do
It is with the greatest satisfaction that
we contemplate the little harm that 1t
did do. Ii was essentially free coin
age" and an "anti-option'' Congress when
II met Had 1t been able TO do So IL
would have passed bill In the first week
OF It's existence providing for the unlimit-
ed coinage Of legal tender sixty-hve cent
dollars and making future sales OF GER
tain farm products impossible. But It's
life came 10 an end without either thing
being accomplished. What caiamihes
would have been brought upon the coun-
try by the passage OF these two measures
we can OF course only conjecture. The
mild form Of free coinage which the Sher-
man silver law of 1890 provides for has
already brought the country face 10 race
with commercial panic that threaten
bankruptcies. all over the land. What
the effect of unlimited free coinage added
20 a breaking up of all the Produce Ex-
changes would have been, we shudder to
think Of But. out Of the whole situation
one comforting reflection flows. which
turns upon the potency Of public discus
sion. Congress was elected 70 do all the
harm It could to our institutions but
public and free discussion disarmed 1t
before It could do Its work and now re-
turns 1t harmless to a political grave.