New-York tribune., 1870-12-21
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK
THE FUTURE POLICY AND PROSPECTS OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY.


REPUBLICAN PARTY.
| WARRINGTON, Dec. 19.-The members of Con-
gress have all had four months OF constant personal In
tercourse with their constituents, and since they re-
turned 10 their legislative duties fortnight SINCE there
has general comparison and discussion Of the OBJ
servatiOns made the experience gained and the new
views acquired in this contact with the people, and from
this comparisOnand discussion there is rapidly developing
considerable unanmity OF opinion among Republican
members in relation TO the present condition OF the Re
publican party the ought to pursue in the future
and its prospects continued OF course this
average Congressional opinion as 1t might be called
dissented from by few extremists, each OF whom would
like to have people believe that the Republican party is
afflicted by disease which only his particular panacea
can cure but entertained by the great majority Of
thinking Republicans in Congress- This opinion pur-
| pose TO give.
In the first place. there longer any doubt that the
party movement is no more than vagary of idle
schemes and dreamers, who have no knowledge OF the
Of public sentiment and who are vain enough
TO imagine that they have only 10 sketch out po
ca creed and publish IL 10 the country 10 have any
of followers turns out that nobody possessed
OF considerable influence believes in the desirabty or
possibility OF party that shall be anything more
than the Republican party, mbued with the spirit OF
progress that has always distinguished 1t, filed with
new ideas and new aims, and marching forward, from
the position it has gained by past struggles TO new at
tainments. IL is plainly seen that there Is no advanced
| ground which to plant new political organization
which the Republican party will not itself occupy before
any party could establish rslying point upon it,
No organization being possible the next question
IT, what is the condition Of the Republican party after
it's campaign OF last Fall The veteran statesman Of the
House who is about to leave Congress for more mpor
tant duties says that the Republican party has passed
the dangerous crisis in its and that the most I'M
minent peril 10 it, existence in last Falls contest
In that contest II showed such strength and coRerenee
Of all ayUifh
ont that IL cannot be doubted that the party has yet
long lease OF life. The Democrats were confident that
the Republican organization going to pieces and
that they could secure majority OF the next House OF
Representatives and make the election OF their President
certain two years hence They were, however, thor
onghly beaten notwithstanding the lukewarmness or ac-
tive dissensons prevalent among Republicans aud 1t is
evident in what their chances to be improved
in 1872 when the Republicans will be united and
getic they always in a Presidential contest
In looking forward to the next Presidential campaign
we can draw hope from source that has failed in
every political contest since 1862 and that the absurd
folly the Democratic parya folly rather Of the heart
than the BRAIN for there wise among the Demo
cratic leaders who the bad policy OF running In the
old muddy doya rut and would be glad to get their
forces upon and higher ground but the masses OF
the party will not be led thus to victory and constantly
force their leaders with folly and ruin. like the herd OF
swine the precpice. The Democratic party is still
Rebel party heart and the poison Of treason evapor
ates from it very slowlymuch too slowly to disappear
| in the next two years. For example,
II secret ballot could be taken to-day in
Ohio among the Democrats for expression OF opinion
as to the greatest statesman in the country nine
enths Of the votes would be for Valandigham beyond
q doubt good illustration is afforded by the expert
OF the Hon. Mr Beck, fair, patriotic Democratic
member Of the House from Kentucky who, when he re-
turned home last Summer found his constituents en-
ragged because they had heard that he had dined with
| DI Yd had nnr.in nCifh
party that included Gen. Butler and other prominent
Republicans; and he compelled TO apologize for
having acted with gentemaDly courtesy toward his po
litc, opponents The Democratic party is much worse
than its leaders and will continue to refuse TO be led
with any liberal progressive views. THIS fact s an
element OF universal strength TO us.
The chief danger to the Republican party Is In the DIFF
ference Of opinion prevailing financial questions, and
especially on the Tariff II the Democratic party dared
TO declare openly Free Trade it might possibly
enough recruits from Republicans demoalized by Rove
Reform sophsres to sweep the West and thus seem
10 have Of eectng the next President but 1t
dare not take the hazard with the certainty OF losing
Pennsylvania which it regards essential to
Pennsylvania may be called the political key OF the stu
alton II prevents any division Of party lines on the
Tariff question There is not likely to be any rupture IN
the Republican party about the Tariff The extremists
on both sides will that is impossible TO carry out
their views, and there will be union on moderate
ground 10 which all will ascent as the only reasonable
policy.
In answer TO the question, Who will be the Republican
for President 1921 there thus far but
reply and that s Gen. Grant 1t is agreed that he has
lost in popular strength within year, and some even
insist that his Administration be plausiby charged
with grave errors but there is thought TO be man
who can command much popular strength and he has
vet time to correct mistakes and 10 the necessity for
consulting the harmony Of his party and thus freeing
from any danger Of dsintegraton The nomination OF
Grant looked upon inevitable by perhaps majority
OF the Republicans IN Congress- and there would be no
anxiety about the result Of the election If he would use
his influence to heal the feuds already existing and to
prevent the occurrence OF any new ones Especially
ought the Missouri split TO be allowed TO go further
gentleman who probably represents as well as any
one the golden mean OF opinion among the Republicans
in Congress when asked recently about the future policy
OF the Republican party its duties and responsibilities,
said that he thought Ii would find its In cOntnu
ing and completing the work Of social financial, and
commercial reconstruction in bringing the country back
TO q normal pesce-condon In respect TO currency,
prices trade commerce. transportation, general indus
try aud social e keeping other fruits OF the war
beside the moral ideas gained In the struggle. The
wrath OF The var should be put away the Word TeSei
passed. Something should be done, too In wise ana
prudent way 20 help the cause OF general education In
the South that the millions OF enfranchised negroes
Ismay speedily become nbuod with the light and heat Of
our educational system. go
There M therefore plenty Of work for the Republican
party TO do There s too toerabe decree or harmony
Of opinion among Its representatives In Congress- as 10
its future policy and dspositOnat ITO accept s disin
tegrstOn as ineytable because ~ mas been completely
the part the Admns ration the party can DE greatly
soIded and strengthened and its successes made GER
passed the dangers which threstened IL diarupt0n.