e predicted that the rules would have to be
changed since they had been made the instrument of a revolutionary
minority. Never before had he seen such obstruction in the Senate,
never before the force bill had he known of a measure which failed,
after due deliberation, to come to a vote. The Republicans had
remained steadfast to the President, although under no obligation
to him, and now the time had come when the Democrats must take the
responsibility.

"In times past, when the Republicans were in the majority, they
never shrank from responsibility. They were Republicans because
they believed in Republican principles and Republican men and
Republican measures, and whenever a question was to be decided they
never pleaded the 'baby act' and said 'we could not agree.' They
met together and came to an agreement, and in that way they passed
all the great measures which have marked the history of the last
thirty years of our country, and it was not done by begging votes
on the other side.

"'They say they cannot agree, They must agree,' thundered Mr.
Sherman, drawing himself to his full height, and pointing his
quivering finger to the Democratic side, 'or else surrender their
political power!'

"Then Mr. Sherman pointed out the important legislation that was
so sadly needed, not the least being some provision for the deficit
of the government, which, he quoted Secretary Carlisle as saying,
would be $50,000,000 this year. 'These things cannot be evaded,'
he said, while the Senate lingered on his words. 'We must decide
the silver question one way or the other. If you,' he added,
looking the Democrats in the fact, 'cannot do it, then retire from
the Senate Chamber, and we will fix it on this side, and do the
best we can with our silver friends who belong to us, who are blood
of our blood, and bone of our bone. But yours is the proper duty,
and, therefore, I beg of you, not in reproach or anger, to perform
it. You have the supreme honor of being able to settle this question
now, and you ought to do it.'

"Mr. Sherman ceased, but the thrall of his words remained long
after his venerable form had disappeared. No Democrat answered
him. Mr. Voorhees, who had sat within arm's reach of him on the
Republican side, crossed the Chamber to his own seat, and sank down
as a man laden with deep care."

The debate continued in the Senate until the 30th of October, when
the Senate substitute was adopted by the vote of 43 ye