The Daily Gazette

For the Gazette
"Are We Not Here as Equals?"
TO THE PUBLIC, WORKINGMEN ESPECIALLY-DEMOCRATIC REFORM, "NO IDLE BOAST."
A foreigner, conversant with our peculiar systems and institutions, with even an imperfect knowledge of the "true inwardness" of the social and political situation would read with either wonder or derision the recent debates in our American Congress.--And what would excite wonder or derision in the foreigner, would excite disgust or extreme contempt in the plain but thoughtful and impartial American citizen. And why?
We will not presume to strengthen the assertions of extreme partisans that either side seeks to make political capital. It is to be very much regretted that men presumably the Representatives of the people, in the U. S. Senate should so detract from the dignity and responsibility of their position, as to interrupt or prevent the discussion of great public questions and measures, to indulge in personal or party attacks as was occasioned in the debate of Tuesday last especially and in the proceedings generally.
Can this be continued without inflicting great injury to the public at large? Is it not a blow at the theory of government itself? Can the animal or plant survive that is pierced to the heart, whose vitals are torn and rended, whose life blood is oozing from every vein, whose entire system is deranged?
Shall the American Senate degrade itself, stoop from the dignity attained in the days of the giants when public measures were discussed with freedom, when a Senator could express his sentiments, views and opinions, and those of his constituents without fear of being maligned or libeled as a traitor or condemned as a villain or scoundrel for making mistakes or for actions over which they, perhaps, had no control. Shall the order and decorum which formerly prevailed at the chairman's command give place to the confusion of the French General Assembly where quiet can only be secured by an informal dismissal of the session?
Shall our Senate be divided into the Right and Left centres, and legislate for party or personal interests alone, without consideration of the public good?
In the discussion of Tuesday how often was Senator Merrimon, of N. C., interrupted by others while defending the measures of Retrenchment and Reform instituted by the House of Representatives, especially by Morton and Sherman, acknowledged leaders of the Republican party! And well did the Democratic Senator maintain the dignity of the position when he asked "Are we not here as equals?"
Besides this, there are other views, apparent, not only to those who closely scrutinize the actions of our public men but to the casual observer." And many of the words of a prominent Senator (Morton) will appear especially so, to that large class of workingmen who are now clamoring for, and demanding relief and assistance, who are at last forced to acknowledge that the primary cause of their distress is the misgovernment and mismanagement of the dominant Republican party. Nor will they be ready to endorse the views of Senator Morton who declares that "the Republican party is the only party that can be trusted with Reform," but with just indignation will repudiate it in toto.--For have we not had Republican reform these long and weary years?
Shall not each workingman think and act for himself? Let him do so. let him feel that "I am a man." Let him compare his condition today. with the condition of the non producing classes, see the vast difference, and verify the statements of Reformers of all kinds.
He can then sympathize with the Reform and Retrenchment element of Congress and support them in their efforts to reduce the large army of officeholders who eat up such a large share of the produce of the laboring classes of all kinds, which has created a privileged class that scorns association or affliction with the more numerous producing ones!! Is this right?
Let every workingman with noble reserve and just indignation, ask "Are we not here as equals?"
In the main the prosperity and happiness of a people depend upon the system of government. In Monarchies and aristocracies, widely separated classes necessarily exist as the foundations of such governments; but we profess to be a nation of free men enjoying equal rights. Let us maintain our rights then by voting for them wherever or whenever an opportunity presents and teach the Republican party, crippled with age and corruption that it can no longer be trusted. This can be done this fall by earnestly supporting the Reform ticket, being assured from past experience, that Democratic Reform is "No idle boast."
Workingmen to work!
J. A. WHITELOCK.
New Castle, Del., July 22, 1876.