The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-27
REL UBLlCAN DUTY.


comes to the front with an editorial
upon Republican Opportunity and
Duty"
That journal of civilization has
lately been inclined to trust all national
duties TO the Democratic party, and
accord 70 it all opportunity for per-
formance of such duties. That it con-
descends to recognize in the Republican
party capacity for the performance of
duty, aud admit that opportunity may
open to it, is due perhaps to its new
editor, Mr.. HENRY LOOMS NELSON,
who is man Of political affairs and not
devoid of sense of the completeness OF
the failure of the Democratic party to
either improve its opportunity or per-
form its duties.
With an honest purpose to discover
what the duty of the Republican party
is, the weekly article has been carefully
examined. 1t appears that this is its
duty, it being the only tangible recon-
mendation made: Its leaders should
assist the sound-money- men among the
Democrats in passing a measure that
will accomplish something for the
business interests of the country before
the assembling of the Fifty-fourth Con-
gress year from now."
The Republican duty, then, is TO
assist the degenerated and disintegrating
Democratic party to make creditable
exit from the stage it. has so discredit-
ably occupied, and now occupies.
Why, in the name of the genius of the
Weekly, should the Republicans be re-
quired to help the sound-money Demo-
Gratis pass "a measure that will accom-
plish something for the business interests
of fthe country"
And, assuming that the Republicans
might be good natured enough TO deem
the present measure of Democratic dis
grace deep enough, and were willing to
aid in the passage of some business
measure, what measure will there be
provided for them to support?
The Democratic Administration, aided
by the financial talent of the Demo-
cratic Congress, and the miscellaneous
Democratic talent outside of Congress,
hHtcned "a measure Intended to sac
complish something for the business in
terests Of the country" to wit, the dis
graced and abandoned Carlisle currency
reform bill. Even the Weekly would
probably admit that that measure was
not one calculated to inspire Republi-
cans with very lofty sense of duty
when the question Of its support presents
itself to them.
Ii might easily be admitted that the
Weekly's statement Of the duty of the
Republicans is essentially correct and
just. There will not be an opportunity
for the Republicans to unite with the
Democrats in advocacy OF "a measure
that will accomplish something for the
business interests of the country" dur
ing the life Of this Congress. They
haven't the capacity TO. do that.
They have wrestled with their oppor-
tunity and bluffed their duty all the
time since CLEVELAND was first elected.
and they have thus far signally failed to
present to Congress "a measure such as
Harper's Weekly wants the Republicans
TO help them pass, and there isn't the
slightest ground TO suspect them of being
able 10 do it now, during the few weeks
of life left to them, gasping for breath
AS they are, and trying to formulate
post-mortem for themselves.
But what is 10 hinder the Democrats
being solemnly charged with the duty
the Weekly has attempted to throw
upon the shoulders Of the Republicans
The opportunity is certainly present,
gcpdy and full-fashioned. waiting TO be
made mnch OF. The Democrats have
got Congress aud the Presidency. They
can introduce the measure, as IL. hay.
il approved 10y their President and see Il.
ut In practical fleet. Why should
they not do the benehcsnt work the