The Jamesburg record., 1898-04-02
1886 1898.

The following interesting article from
tbe pen of the Rev. o. P. Eaches, ID. D.,
,,o 70 publish from the Hightstown Ga
zette:
1--WE often think of our present times
as degenerate days as compared with the
davs of our fathers. We see the power
of political factions, the widespread cor
rnntion. the sway of bosses like Quay
ond platt. we see the interest of the putt
lic sacrificed for private ends. But there
are redeeming features. Had we lived in
the olden days we would have been in
the centre of corruption. of littleness
of mind, of seIf-seeking politicians.
"In 1885 Jackson was President. There
vore strained relations between our cOun-
trv and France. The situation much re-
somhIed that between our country and
crein TO. day. A war seemed impend-
inc Jackson had instructed our minister
at Paris to return to this country unless
our demands for indemnity were com.
r,ed with. The House of Representa-
fiVPS VOIeu thoS PiCPoioSiOi
ought to be made to meet any emergency
growing out of our relations with France.
The next day by vote of 107 to rs it
was voted to appropriate three millions
of dollars to be expended under the di-
recton of the PRESIDENT if it should be
necessary before the next session OF Con-
gross. In wfat marked contrast with
this was the action of our present House.
II was an impressive scene when every
member of the House voted to put the
sum of fifty million OF dollars at the dis
nosal of the President. For the time
being there were no Republicans, Demo-
Gratis or Pepulists, all were Americans.
Three hrBdred and eleven aaen voted
Ave. and no one voted Nay. Such a
thing shows to the world hew a people
divided OH political lines can trust a ruler
when oRce he is chosen,
In 1856 this message went to the Sen
ate having passed the House. Here the
measure was defeated by a vote OF 20 to
10. Among those who opposed this
measure. essential to the public defense,
were men like Webster, Clay, Calhoun,
Frainghuysen, and SoGthard, both the
Senators from New Jersey. We think
.ofIthose olden days as the golden days Of
the republic. We think 'of the men
of the past as the days when real
men were chosen for public position.
Senators said that to grantthis money to
be expended at the will ofthe President
was equi valent to the establishment of g
military monacchy. 1t wes said that if
the President had this sum of money at
his disposal the country might as well
make him consul for life. In the recent
congress when the measure was intro
duced to pat tifty millions at the absolute
disposal of the President there was not
one word of opposition or discussion
When the roll was called every Senator
voted Aye, theFs were SIXTY six affirma-
tive votes aud not one negative vote
Such a scene as this could take place
in no country in the world but ours.
Despite political antagonism before the
election nO country in the world is SO
welded into one as ours. The Congress
of 1885, with its famous men, acted in g.
little, mean and vindietive way when
contrasted with the large, generous and
united action OF the Congress Of 1898.
Party spirit was highersthan now. 1t was
bitter even whea the country was on the
verge of war. Ut is torbe hoped that war
will not come TO day. But it is worth
something to see how a danger to the
common country can at once obliterate
party lines and observation-disclosures. Moth
ing in recent years has been more impres-
sive than the sight of both Houses o.
Congress acting as one man with one
common purpose In this one respect
at least we need not blush when contrast
ing the Congress and the men OF 1880
with the men OF 1885,"