New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-01-17
THE TR Blu NE.
For The Tribune
The Charter Election.

The lime is approaching when the Wings mus!
,s,ermine what course they will pursue in the
s.,sc,;on of the members of our City government
f., another year. Ii is to be decided whether we
sbsl adhere to our own organization, or relin.
o,;.b If and adopt some other, with different CD
is,ts. different principles, d;crcnt associates and
different name For the truth is, that the ex-
chance of the Wing for the American Republican
n,rtv involves all this. Wo have been told that
the object of the latter is independent, and does
no. interfere with the great questions on which
the people have been divided, every one being
free to act respecting these as he may think p'o.
uer. This is plausible and has satisfied many
and secured thar support, but it is deceptive
The man who acts with the American Republi-
can party is expected by his associates to aban-
don the only effectusl means by which the prin-
cplas he has always professed, and The friends
with whom be has always labored, can be at all
supported. While he is said 10 be free in such
matters, the moment he asserts that freedom he
is nterrogated, denounced and communicated.
The mistake lies in supposng that such an as
suance can be safely given. Ii cannot be given
and conformed to, without leaving the American
Republican organization shadow; and result
ing as it does, it cannot IF the Wings agrse) but
make the Wing organization a shadow, such as
il was in this City last Spring.
This question comes home to every Wing,
whether he publicly takes part in political mat
tiers or not. Il is mistake TO suppose that the
mass wko do not appear publicly in this manner
may therefore readily separate from the rest
|. The Convention and Committee men give direc-
ton to public affairs. They present the candi-
dates for popular support and mark out the prin-
ciples by which they shall be governed, and the
community al large are responsible, according 10
the choice they make, for the conduct these men
pursue. Public men are expected to be consist
ent and honorable. They ought to be; and dis
honesty in politics should expose the guilty to
shame, like dishonesty in any thing else
But the representative has night TO expect in
his constituents the same integrity which Ia re
CURED in himself, and the fact of being in private
life is no excuse for pursuing line Of conduct
which in more public sphere would be disinge-
nuous and unfair. If there is to be q separation
between Wing Committee men and Wings at
large, let US know il, that the lab5r and expense
incident to tuch an organization may be saved.
We arc asked to assume the name of Ameri
can Republican, and 10 abandon that OF Wing
and to subscribe to declaration that the party 10
which we have belonged is corrupt and ought TO
! be DESTROYED Are we all ready TO do this And
| five ali go over with some CT ourla.e opponents,
! to another platform, with a new name, will that
make us more honest and wise But all may
! not 90; and are tho corrupt members of a rarty,
I whose prime pies and conduct might give occa-
| sion for rep,oach-arc they the ones to adhere
! longest to name and an association that has lost
| its power and influence They are the rery men
| who will soonest fy to any point where personal
| advantage is to be gained. Is i. expected that
| tina Democrats who jim US will go entirely
change our character as to make us pure and pa
triotic American Republicans, when as Whigs,
! without them, we were corrupt and selfish
| Can VIC depend upon the fidelity of the men
| who come ont to meet Us and Join in the now or
ganization This party began in Tammany
| Hail. A disciple of that school, an cS-Alderman,
was one of its founders and was the first Chair
man of its General Committee. As soon as the
party grew into life he abandoned it. AT the
election las, November he brought up 10 the polls
more newly naturalized voters than any other
+ American born citizen who lived in the district;
they could scarcely speak the language plain
enough to answer any questions, and such as
most needed ii, had his assistance. Where was
l the American Republican Indignation and zeal
that were displayed in those early addresses tn
which that mans name was signed The game
name is to be foucd among the delegates appoint
ed for the current year to the Committees OF
Iammany Hall, along with some of the very
foreigners whom he so lately denounced. There
are other examples Of the same kind. Now these
60 bot prove that all the American Republicans
ii'n Tsmmany Hall are deceivers, but only show
mat we may be deceived by them. They loudly
HsOach their late friends, and profess strong
cea'e 10 associate with us for reform in public
sna's, and yet it is remarkable that they require
Sacondiuon precedent the extinction OF our
F'ly and the obl'teration of our name If after
4aVng consented 10 such hard terms and the an.
Iaaa''on of the Wing party has become com
p's'e' we should find our la'c associates leaving
I ~ again, cur pain would be heightened By the
Consciousness that the result was 10 have been ex.
Nc'ed from the ordinary means Of warfare which
I WI edVtEsaries had employed against u.s.
Lei me acknowledge that ftom "a deep convic.
scu o'ss Importance have long cherished the
f'"cpie OF the American Republican party in
.apee' 10 foreign influence, ard on this account
~ ~ i'l some other reasons voted with many
Ses's last fall for their candidates, and for some
~ - mem IN the spriRg. We gave them a gener
ia 10 support, and some of our friends, accepting
~ Invitations given 10 them, subscribed the ar
s: .i's oil the Association. Since then, these
'N0S nave beenlost to us. We have seen them
-. Ing Us no more. They were lately bold and