The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-14

tnen democrats. we promptly oOpleu huu
called attention to these bulletins of victories
yet unwon.
The programme thus agreed on has since
been carried out, to the extent of the plan
ners' ability. They have, by the disfran-
chisement of the crippled soldiers in the
National Asylum near Dayton, returned Lew.
Campbell in place of General Schenck;
they have exulted over the defeat of Messrs.
Morrell and Mccarthy by other protection
the Democrats, beaten three or four Repubh-
can Congressman in Illinois; and
would have beaten Messrs. Kelley of Pa,
Bingham of Ohio, Ketcham of n. T., and
several other Republican protectionists If
they could but have polled enough votes. On
the whole, they have reduced the Republican
strength in the next House by ten or dozen
votes, and have joyful hope of beating
two or three more Republicans by Democrats
in the States which have yet to choose their
Representatives. This is not, bad for be-
ginning.
The moment the November elections we're
over a more ambitious programme was put
forth The Chicago Tribune proclaimed, in
effect, that old parties and old issues were
dead; and that a new organization was des-
tined to sweep the country. A free trade
Republican was to be chosen Speaker of the
next House by the votes of all the Democrats
COmDlneu WlJu Iue revenue re1Orm0rS, upon
an understanding that the Democrats should
have their say about the committees. The
Egening Post, St. Louis Democrat, and
chorus assailed General Grants administra-
tion more openly and virulently than before
the Post exulting over the increased Demo-
cratic (mostly Rebel vote at the South, as
proof of the unpopularity of the President.
For time the cabal-having eaten another
and still better dinner in oompany-fancied
that the world lay meekly at their feet.
OF late, change has come DER the spirit
of their dream. No ten Republicans elected
to next House can he named who do not
scout the suggestion that they can ever be
induced to vote with the Democrats to or
ganize the House adversely to the great body
of the Republicans. Nay, more not half the
Democrats are ready to vote for any man as
Speaker who is not an avowed Democrat.
And it is well understood that, should ma
jorlty of the Democrats undertake to plough
with any strange heifer under the flag of
revenue reform, a very strong minority, in
cluding nearly all the Pennsylvanians, will
stubbornly refuse to be drawn into such a
questionable alliance. II is probable that
there are at this moment as many ''pig-iron
Democrats" as Republican ee-traders elected
to the next House.
Hence we note prodgal assurances that
the new party is indefinitely postponed-that
the revenue reformers purpose to fight their
battle inside the Republican lines-that they
never intended to be other than Republicans,
etc. etc. And, whatever they may have in
tended months ago, it is plain that most of
the reformers DOD mean to call themselves
Republicans for the present.
But, gentlemen, we submit, your notions of
what adherence to party implies are pecu-
liar The recent partial successes of the De-
mocratic party are mainly y0ur work. You
handed over Missouri to the Democrats; u0u7
organs exulted over the defeat of Schenck,
Morrell, etc., by Democrats; you have taught
your disciples to detest the great maj ority of
the Republicans in Congress as monopolists
and plunderers; and those disciples therefore
vote the Democratic ticket. Your nominal
adherence to the Republican party can do it
no good so long as you tell the people that
most Republicans are intent on subecting
them to extortion and robbery. We used
to such imputations from our open adverse
ries, and are little harmed by them; but, from
men protesting our political faith, they are
more damaging and offensive.
We think you should decide either to come
into the Republican party or stay out of it.
| You are not in it while you are plotting the
| defeat of its foremost representatives who
are also its regular candidates for reelection.
| When you talk of them as You have talked
| this year of General Schenck, Messrs. Nor
rell, Kelley, etc., those who believe in you
will vote against them, even though not ex-
pressly urged by you to do so. Better stand
| somewhere.
The Republican party has suffered quite
enough from those who wear its uniform in
order to fire more effectively into its ranks
If you cannot support men of undoubted
ability and good character who are its candi
dates, your hearts are elsewhere, and youl
| legs should follow them. Choose your future
position for yourselves, but let it be on one
| side or the other.