New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-05
T8F IATE CONGRESS-.

The Congress which terminated its work yes
terdav has a better claim for charitable judg-
ment than the usual mil de mortuis" plea. Had
IT'S faults and shortcomings been much greater
the country would yet remember IT long and
gratefully as the Congress which enacted the
tariff of 1891 which annexed the Hawaiian Isl
ands and met with magnificent patriotism the
war Of 1898. and which in 1899 ratified the
Peace Treaty and voted the sum promised to
Spain II has done it's part toward an enlarge
ment of the territory, the power and the prestige
of the United States which nobody dreamed of
81 wear ago. If il has not finished its work. if il
has left undone much that ought To have been
done if il has made some wasteful appropra-
fIons while refusing others needed for public in
terestS Of the first importance. yet 1t restored
prosperity by the protective act To which Mr.
Dinglev gave his name and his life and il dis
plaved in confronting foreign difficulty pa
iriotic unity which profoundly impressed the
people of other countries.
IT is easy for parisans now to assert that
prosperity would have come in any case even II
the Dngley act had not been passed They are
contradictcd 10y their own past declarations
The fact is that not one man in all the land be-
fore President Mckinley was elected looked for
such early and complete revival of prosperity as
has been realized. His history and his name
cave assurance to the industries of the country
that they would have such defence as had been
given by the act Of 1890. and that belief started
Improvement as soon as his election was deemed
certain The great body Of Democrats main
tanned that nothing could bring prosperity eX-
cent the return 10 the Free coinage Of silver.
The followers Of Mr.. Cleveland and the Indian
apolis convention maintained that nothing could
bring prosperity except the retirement of green
backs and the substitution Of banknOtes But
the Republican party applied the remedy
which it's convictions dictated. and instead Of
s3.G91. 100000 in February. 1891 the settlements
through clearing houses have been S6,9S0,000,oO0
in February. 1899
II is matter Of profound regret that the
splendid unity Of feeling and action which
buried partisanShip when the war with Spain
began has not been maintained by Democrats
IN Congress. II is not needful here TO dwell
upon the sad reversiOn to the spirit which sacri-
fees National interests and honor for the chance
of party advantage In dealing with the great
Appropriation bills in action and debate on
Army and Navy bills, and especially in discus
sion Of the Peace Treaty most of the Demo
Gratis in Congress have made for themselves Il
record which they Will keenly regret But it is a
great thing FOR the country lHat 'ht! were III
spired last year with loyalty of feeling ana
purpose which enabled the Nation to 90 for
ward absolutely united 10 meet foreign con
troversy The action on the Cuban question,
the vote Of S50,0OO.OO0 for National defence. ana,
even more, the honorable abStention from Con
gresslona inquiries and discussions which were
calculated 20 cmbarrass the Government pro
duced throughout the world a new and keen al-
probation Of the power which great free Ma
tlon is prepared 10 exert. Nor has The slnaI
craftsmanship Of later and less honorable days
done much 10 lessen that impression. for when
the world looked for doubt and hesitation and
partisan wrangllng about the course of the GOV
eminent It was startled 10 find that the seventy
four million people stood behind the President