Year: 1879

The looker-on, the spectator, interested
in the result, but taking no part in the COM
bat, can sometimes judge better of the
manner in which the fight is going on and
the progress the parties to it are making,
than can the combatants themselves.
This is as true of political or social contests
as of actual war. And the view of the
spectator, the outside man, is often of
great value, never of little interest,
to those who carry on the BATTLE The opin-
ion of business men concerning the contest
begun in Congress and carried into the po-
litical campaign, and concerning its effect
upon the material interests of the country is
therefore edifying and proper to heed That
opinion finds voice in the New York Public,
a non-poltical paper, devoted to finance and
commerce, and contemplating politics and
legislation from the business standpoint
alone This journal causticly reviews and
condemns the action of Congress during the
extra session and calls it to account for the
mischief it did and contemplated. 1t warns
business men of the dangers to which they
are exposed as long as ihe volume of the
currency is subject to arbitrary regulation
by politicians seeking their own ends and
striving, not for the good of the country, but
to advance the fortunes of the political par
ty that has made them. The burden of all
their blunders and offenses when dealing with
the currency question is borne by the busi-
ness of the country, and the interests of
hn Snnsc thn 1lrocpnritv of
and manufactures are in their hands to make
or mar. The Public speaks strongly con-
cerning these matters, saying among other
things:


The performances of Congress have not re-
celved from business men and practical men
the attention which they deserve. 1t is very
natural for such men to say that the wranges
of politicians are not entitled to serious con-
sideration. But the wrangles of politicians
make all the difference between unhappy Mex
leo, diSordered, continually misgoverned, q
prey to revolutions, and this law-respecting,
orderly and peaceful land, the home OF indus
try and of commerce. 1t is the custom to say
that the people will surely prevent disaster
from political misconduct and disorder from
political strife. So there was some excuse for
thinking before the civil war. If we have not
learned by this time that all our interests, even
those of the farmer and workman, the manu-
facturer and MINER the transporter, the bank
er and investor, are at the mercy of the politi-
clans who are chosen to do the governing for
this country, there is little reason to hope that
we shall ever learn anything from experience.
If the country is not seriously disordered even
now, by stoppage of functions of the govern
ment which are indispensable to the safety and
stability of business, or by a violent change in
the condition of the currency or the public
credit, it is largely because practical men
made themselves heard at the capital, and
with sufficient promptness exerted a restrain
ing power. And it is very clear that upon all
the more dangerous matters, the struggle has
been only postponed in order to ascertain what
the people think, and how far they can be led
by the politicians into new strife. Unless the
people express their wishes very strongly
there will be greater danger next winter and
next year than there has been at any time
since the war.


1t then goes on to review and censure the
attempt of Congress to stop the necessary ap-