The Washington herald., 1906-11-26

Since, q little while ago, il became one
Of the fads of the times to trounce the
Senate Of the United States. there have
been few-too few, in all justice-to say
a good word for that maligned legislative
body. Indeed. so little Of late years has
been spoken or written in kindness, or
event Justification, Of the Senate that it
seems almost novel when member has
the temerity to step forward and lift his
voice in its behalf. But that is just what
Senator Stephen r. Elkins, OF West Viz
ginia. has done:
IN some quarters. and among those who are not
well informed and who do no; know the Senate. it
seems fashionable 20 talk about the deoaderce Of
the Senate. The dccadence Of the Senate can only
fellow the decadence Of the people. and IL would
mark backward movement in the social condition,
morals. intelligence. and integrity q the people.
The Senate demands men Of ability, experience.
and character. The world is advancing in intel
lgence aud virtue mankind Is growing wiser and
bctter. and 50 long as this continues and we enjoy
the blessings Of liberty under our present COnssi-
tuition tie best men viii be chosen for high
places. Although the Senate does not respond to
popular passions or clam0r, it has not failed IN a
hundred years 10 reflect the mature Judgment and
and 10 put them into enduring law"
The gTandest tribute TO man is by man.
The best tribute to the Senate can be had
OF a Senator.
Sixty-siX years ago. when Clay. CAL
hOun. and Webster were at the zenith OF
fame, Charles Dickens, the great reporter
of human nature. visited Washington and
closely. SCTuunized the Senate ana its en-
vironment He gave the result of months
of observation and reflection in the re-
grctfui opinion that a most unhappy dis
trust Of public servants prevailed among
our people. He wrote:
You no sooner set up an idol than You are sure
70 pull it down and dash it into fragments. and
this because directly You reward a benefactor or
public servant. yoU distTst him merely because he
IS rewarded; and Immediately apply yourselves 10
Ind out either that yOu have been too b0lntifI in
your acknowledgements OF that he is remi5s in his
deserts. any man who attaius high place among
yOu, from the President downward may date his
downfall from that very moment; for any printed
line that any notorious villain pens. although II
initiate directly against the conduct and character
Of life, appeals at once to your dstrist. and IS
believed You Sill strain az a gnat in the way Of
rTustfulness but y0B VIII swallow a whole caravan
Of cameis. il they are laden with unworthy doubts
and mean suspicious. Is this well think you. or
likely TO elevate The character Of the governors or
the governed among you?"
And James Madison, one Of the fore
most architects Of the Senate. said of
Senators, when the foundations of the
republic had Just been laid:
with respect 10 their responsibility it is difficult
to conceive how it could be increased Every con
sderation that can influence the human mind. such
as honor oaths POPULATIONS conscience the love Of
country. family affections. and attachments. offer
a security for their fidelity"
Dickens comments were with the DAYS
TO which it is often suggested the glory
Of the Senate has departed. It is but The
mystic glamour of distance which gives
the old-time Senate a seeming superiority
over the Senate of to-day. Ever con-
spicuously within the public ease. its
sense Of responsibility is more compelling
to right than wrong. Not one Of its
hosts Of critics Is so careful of what he
says and does with respect TO the public
welfare as the average Senator.
DIsregarding that grim facetious vein
of Senator Vance, when he said ne might
be Ike one Of his constituents who. when
invited to go 70 political barbecue. said
he was zone Of those who shirk no re-
sponsibility and shrink from no refresh
meuts, as well as the reminder of Proc
tor Knott that there is not an office.
from President down. that any Of US would
not relieve the people Of the trouble OF
holding. and Of which we would not hero
ically shoulder the emoluments," we may
stil look at our Senate and congratulate
ourselves that it remains the high school
Of American statesmen.
How many OF our most distinguished
men has it not improved in conduct and
advanced in wisdom, Only last session
Senator Ben Tillman was by Senator
SDooner and other brethren advised TO
HIS face, as that face was suffused with
Pushes Of mixed sense Of unanticipated
pleasure and modest consciousness Of IN