New-York tribune., 1870-08-24
REPUBLICANS And THE PARTY.

REPUBLICANS And THE PARTY.
We do not think it is assuming too much
when we say that probably no party has ever
been governed 80 much by its principles and
so little by selfshness as the party that has
ruled the country during the past decade. We
do not deny that there have been Republicans
who have loved its patronage more than its
faith; neither do we deny that there are, and
have been, Republicans true in the main in
principle, but tickle and spasmodic in their
action. 1t is, perhaps. to these two classes
that we owe many of the recent efforts to
sap and mine the party. Some who have had
an inadequate idea of its purposes and duties
think it has accomplished its mission, and,
eager for change, and thirsting to be leaders
in new movements, make haste TO pull down
the pillars of the temple to clear the way for
their new creeds. The principles OF the Re-
publican party have become history. The plat
forms of parties are not always true test OF
them. When great faith is in the soul it
shows itself, as opportunity offers, in works,
and the Republican party has to offer the
country Republic preserved, Slavery abol-
ished the Republic reconstructed In peace,
great highways of commerce built across the
country, Homestead law, and many other
measures of Justice and progress.
Nor have the commercial interests of the
country much actual reason to complain. A
new currency has been created which has had
] to struggle under the disadvantages OF a
credit sunk by great war, but which has,
even under these adverse circumstances,
| offered the country what it never had before,
a uniform currency. When the public credit
has risen to par, so will the currency based
| on it rise. We have no longer a wretched
system of local and State banks, whose notes,
when taken at all at the other end of the
country from that which issued them, were
taken at tremendous discount. Money was
scarce, and public and private enterprises were
incapable of the great efforts they now ex-
hibit The recent great development of many
portions of the country was simply impossible
under the old system.
At the close of a wasting war, tariff which
| in no incOnsiderable degree met the approval
of the constituent elements of the party,
raised for the Government revenue unpre-
cedently great and afforded incidentally a
moderate protection. No mode of meeting
| the public burdens was so free from Objec-
| tiOns, whether the question of economy or
| efficiency be considered. 1t is possible that
some branches of manufacture might have
prOfted by greater protection, and the country
been, in the long run, benefited by their pros
perity but the ground chosen seemed to be
the most suitable to meet the conflicting
views of the different portions of the party.
| BY the reduction of as much of the Internal
Revenue system az those who were at the
helm thought could at this time be safely
spared without injuring tho National credit,
the party gave an implied assurance to the
country that az fast as practicable its entire
machinery would be abolished
| Is there, then, any party in the country pre-
pared for Free Trade, the abolition of revenue
from that source, and saddng all the public bur-
dens on direct taxatiOnf We do not believe it.
Neither do we believe that any very large ele-
ment in the Republican party has made up its
mind to any such purpose. What thenf Are
the efforts to divide and break the party in
power on this issue merely efforts of the
enemy to SOW discOrd on point on which
there is known to be some difference of opin-
| ion I We will neither be so harsh or uncandid
az to charge any persons or organs OF the party
with such a motive. We do not think the
most determined of them has matured sys-
TEN of opinion on the subject, much less that
| this was done in malev0lent spirit. AT the
same time we believe that there has been an
unwse recklessness, and that indissreet friends
have attempted to SOW within the party the
seeds of mischief.
| It has been doubted by the enemies Of re-
publican governments whether parties could
be made the custodian of a governmental
policy. The government is really creature
or exponent of the party which placed it in
power; and in all governments there must be
careful and wise balancing of conflicting
opinions. Are parties capable of making these
judgments and sacrifcesf. We think they are.
We think 30 far the Republican party has
done it, and done it wisely. Nay, we fear
the chief reason for picking bones of conten-
ten Is the erroneous idea that the party has
| closed it's work. Yet there is no party to-day
which has a task 80 important or principles 80
coherent. But half Of the mighty work Of