New-York tribune., 1870-08-10
GOOD AND BAD FAITH.

So early as 1850, the Editor of this journal
was urged to unite i'll the formation of new
party which should have for its simple pur-
pose and rallying-pOint hostility to the domi-
nation and perpetual aggressions of the Slave
Power. He answered in substance: What
"you seek is impracticable, because of our
diverse convictions on the subject OF Pro-
election rs. Free Trade"
The design was not then persisted in; but,
four years later, the attempt by the Nebraska
bill to introduce Slavery into vast Territories
long before cOnsecrated to Free Labor over
bore and submerged all other questions, so
that anti-Slavery men of whatever antecedents
united in forming and upholding the Repub-
lican party. They did this on the only
practical ground-that of leaving each mem
Der of the new party free to act on
all questions irrelevant to Slavery as his own
judgment should dictate and, as three-tOurths
of all who became Republicans had formerly
been Wings, it was inevitable that large ma
iOrity of the new party should favor the Pro-
lection of Home Industry. Hence, when Con-
gress in 1861 became Republican, through the
abandonment of their seats by the Southern
SecessiOnists, that Congress proceeded forth
with to revise the Tariff in the interest of
Protection; and its Protective features have
been extended and improved throughout the
subsequent years. Imposts have been en-
hanced when more income was absolutely
needed and reduced, when it was judged that
revenue could be spared but the Protectonlst
features engrafted on the Tariff in 1861 re-
main essentially unchanged to this day.
Of course, there have been and are Republi-
cans in Congress, as well as out of it, who are
Free Traders, and who have argued and voted
accordingly. In no case within our knowledge,
have Republican PrOtectiOnists withheld their
votes from candidate of their party because
he was a Free Trader; nor could they have
done so without provoking our earnest re-
monstrance Probably nine-tenths OF the votes
whereby George Opdyke was elected Mayor OF
our City were cast by PrOtectiOnists, though he
was an avowed, conspicuous, thorough going
Free-Trader. Many of the Republicans sent
TO Congress from the Western States have
been Jealous Free Traders; but we never
sought nor wished to have one of them de-
feated on that account. And now we say
afresh to our friends everywhere: Sup
"port and vote for the regular candidate of
" the Republican party in your district, provided
"may differ on the Tariff question. In special
"instances this advice may be hard to follow,
"but a different course leads directly and pal
"pably to the dissolution and overthrow OF that
"party which saved the Union, abolished Sla-
every, and achieved civil and political rights
"for millions of our cOuntrymen who had
"previously been denied them. If the Repub-
"lican party is now to be destroyed through
"bad faith, see that the fault and the blame
care not yours
Certain Free-Traders who have been Repub-
licans are bent on different course. They
had a private meeting last Winter at
Washington, at which, as The ErehR9
Post exultingly reported, they resolved
to defeat the reelection of such Repub-
lcan Congressman as were determined Pro-
tectonists. Subsequent indications that this
purpose is still cherished abound. In The Post
of the sth inst, we find the following para
graph:
"The Republican Convention Of the Fourth Missouri
District recently nominated H. f. Havens, editor of The
Springfield Patriot for Congress. The resolutions we're
non-conmitta the Tariff question, avoided the Am
nesty question: and very eebly denounced the idea OF
subsidizing Railroads and other private enterprises
Many Republicans in that district satisfied that Mr.
is favorable to all the schemes for enrchng the
monoposts, who hope 10 send him to Congress by the
policy Of having policy till he gets there They there
fore talk OF holding another convention in order topace
positive man in nomination Should they nominate
Revenue Reformer the Democrats will probably make
nomination, but will support him. There is no doubt
that with proper care and effort such a man can be
elected III that district"
Comments BY The Tribune
There is no evidence whatever that the
Democrats will do the jOurney-w0rk thus as
signed them in any district where a RepubG-
can feud renders feasible the election of one
of themselves On the contrary, since they
hope and work for a majority III the next
House, it is evident that they will run can
didate wherever there is a chance of his cleo
ton. "Proper care and effort" on the part of
Republican Free Traders, thus tends directly
to the choice of a Democratic House and that
is precisely what our Revenue Reformers" !"
expect and work for.
In the case before us, the Republican Con-
ventiOn took no ground on the Tariff question,
and nominated candidate who is only sus-
pected of favOring Protection. No matter: the
Revenue Refomers" insist on positive
"man" of their own stamp, and will run one
as q bolter, hoping to elect him by Democratic
| belp but at all events to beat the regular
Republican nominee. So, also, they declare
that. if Gov. McClurg should be renOminated
he, being Protectionist, shall be opposed by
q hotter, and beaten. If they can succeed in
anv case in controlling the regular Republican
nominations, they will put up a man after their
own heart. aud expect Republican PrOtec ton