New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-10
THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST Law

4
The bill to revoke two amendments or the
| Constitution Of the UnitA States, by repeating
| the act providing for their enforcement will
doubtless pass the House. There are saga
| cious Democrats in that body who know that
| such an extreme and unwarranted measure is
| likely to recOil upon the party which upheld
slavery, favored the rebellion and opposed the
amendments Violent partisan acts often kindie
the fiery joy Of the ignorant and unthinkins.
In such spirit the bred Scott decision and
the Kansas Nebraska bill were hailed by Dem
ocrats wears ago with frantic enthusiasm
Mercifully their eyes were blinded to the con-
sequences Of those acts, though it has taken
the party more than thirty years to recover
from them There are Democrats to-day who
see that the initiation OF new campaign 10
nullfy the Constitution and to outrage the
Northern sense Of justice. in the very hour so
to speak, Of Democratic return to power, would
be a most perilous step for the party, most
injudiciOus in its effect upon the future OF the
South, and most harmful to the public pros
perity. But it is not often the cooler thought
of the judciOus few which prevails In Demo
cratic councils.
In two respects this step is singularly i'll
timed for the Democratic party, even II 1t
could not have been long deferred. 1t comes
precisely in time to give more meaning and
intensity to the Indignation in NcwJerscy
against the election crimes by which race
track gamblers were able to possess themselves
Of the State government. and in this State
against the elevation Of criminal to the Court
Of Appeals Maynard robbed the people OF
New-York, and the Democratic party honors
him. The racetrack gamblers robbed the peo-
Die Of New-Jersey, and the Democratic party
rewarded them and now defends them. TWO
issues in one each appealing to all the Chris
tianity and morality the law-abiding spirit and
the sense Of fair play, In an important state
are met by the Democratic party OF the Nation
with repeal Of the only Federal laws by which
election crimes may be restrained or prevented.
In another respect this is most ill-chosen
time for such a manifestation Of partisan In
science and recklessness. The whole land Is
sore and sad because of disasters which have
not been equalled for more than thirty years.
Within nine months more than II 900 firms and
companies have been wrecked by the storm,
and the suffering for the families of partners,
shareholders, clerks employees and depositors
cannot be measured. lIlteIaiiy uiihoho VI P'i
sons have shared the loss already, and yet the
great Industries recover only slowly, and still
have q million hands waiting in vain for work
1t is not an easy matter at any time to con-
vince empty stomachs. or to kindle enthusiasm
in sore hearts. Hardly ever have the people
followed financial disaster with an approval OF
the party charged with the responsibilities OF
government. But when they are asked at
such a time of strain and disaster and wide
spread want to uphold party In shameless
and desperate assault upon all the National
safeguards which have, in greater or less de-
gree. protected the people in their right of suf-
frage, and through their right Of suffrage in
their liberties, there is sure to be resentment
with men who are able to read and to think.
Already there are signs that the party in
trusted with power begins to dread the sober
Judgment of the people. Its shrcwdest men
have labored hard to make the silver question
appear the only one Of Importance, and 10 Sc
cure on that question such action as sensible
business men could sustain. Thus far they have
not prevailed even in this endeavor and now
they find thrust forward, just at the wrong
time for their hopes, the bill to promote crime
at elections and to make Maynardism and Gut
tenburgism National. II they expect to hear
from the people before long are they not justi-
fed in their apprehension!