The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-16
sPIRIT OF Tzn PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics-Compiled Every
Day for the Evening 7 Telegraph.

From the a. Y. Times -... .....#
There is one point often forgotten by those
who urge upon the Republican party the
adoption of 'bold and aggressive" policy.
The party is not at liberty to discard the re-
sponsibilities that are inseparable from
power. 1t must not tickle the popular fancy
with propositions which, however plausible,
lack the essential quality of practical states
manship. 1t can promise only what it may
properly perform.
To certain extent, the party policy is
necessarily negative. The maintenance in
all their integrity of the realized results of
the war is one of its imperative duties
Before the opening of the fall campaign,
reconstruction will be literally a finished
work In the sense in which it has hitherto
been presented, it will cease to be subject
of contention But we must not therefore
conclude that it will be altogether re-
moved from the partisan arena. The De-
mocracy have not yet, in any formal man
ner, declared their acquiescence in the
finality of what has been effected. We can
not recall a single State Democratic Conven-
ton which has unqualifedly accepted General
Rosecrans' counsel to his Ohio friends-not
one that has put on the record it's willingness
to abide by reconstruction, either in its prin-
ciples or results. There is not wanting a
common sense element which discerns the
expediency of acquiescence, but nowhere has
it demonstrated ability to model platform
or control the tactics in canvass. Such an
element existed in the National Convention
which nominated Seymour and Blair, but it
was overwhelmed in the contest The more
violent section succeeded in forcing upon the
party an aggressive" policy, directed equally
against the loyal duty and the financial
credit of the republic; and the spirit which
then asserted itself within the party has
since preserved its ascendancy. Now and
then the World has insisted on the folly of
persistency in this respect, but it's voice
has been instantly drowned in the camer of
indignant champions of Democratic ortho-
doxy. Thus, even the World has been con-
strained in its treatment of the North Caro-
lima case, to affirm doctrine which implies
war against reconstruction, and the new
social conditions which are inseparable from
it. This attitude of the Democracy will COM
pei the Republican party to be constantly on
its guard. Including in its list of achieve
ments the establishment of national unity,
it must still be prepared to vindicate the
principles which underlie its action, and to
Justify and enforce the measures to which
that action has led. The scope of some of
these has extended beyond the South, and
the Democracy will assail them with the
energy and passion of party fighting to re-
gain lost sources of strength.
In yet another respect the policy which will
best commend the Republican party to the
favor of good citizens cannot be bold or ag-
gressive. 1t should be judicious--which in
the end will answer better than mere bold
ness or aggression. Assuming reconstruction
to be completed work. the task that remains
for the party to do relates mainly to the ap-
plication of the recuperative processes which
are rendered necessary by the exhaustion and
embarrassment consequent upon the events
of ba Loot Tho 1ictr1rhipry al
ments from which industry and business
suffer need attention. The relief of both from
excessive taxation, and the extrication of
finance from the perils and difficulties which
encircle it., form task which calls for much
more than 'buncombe"-a task that will try
the capacity of our leaders, and determine the
wisdom of their policy. Here boldness is
needed less than safety-aggressio less than
restoration. We have to strengthen an edi-
fee that has been shattered, to recreate in
terests that have been destroyed, to inspire
the confidence which must precede the return
of financial soundness This is the great work
now before the Republican party. Sod
The people will interpret the future in the
light of the present and the past. Thus it
happens that the measures of this session will
finally reflect the chances Of the party in the
next canvass. In shaping these measures,
Senators and Representatives should remem-
Der that they are in effect shaping the policy
with which the party will go before the coun-
try. They are beginning reforms which
careful industry must hereafter finish; and
hence the importance of laying foundations
that will endure. The subject of taxation
even the House has but barely touched. 1t
has afforded relief which will not be under
valued, but the thorough revision of the
fiscal system, which is essential to the enjoy
ment of the largest measure Of benefit, re-
mains for another session. 1t isasan earnest
of its purpose to meet industrial and business
exigencies that the fiscal measures now
adopted will in great degree be judged. So
also in regard to finance.
Whatever shape legislation may assume, time
is an indispensable ingredient of resumption.
We must grow up to it. And yet it is COM
petent for Congress to accelerate or retard
this growth. Whether it succeed or fail in
its efforts upon this subject-whether it
handle the subject wisely or unwisely, or
leave it altogether untouched-is question
which will do more for good or harm than
any theoretical exposition of policy of which
platform builders may be capable. Ger
tainly, neither in regard to finance, taxation,
or the debt, do we want the ''bold aud ag-
gressive" spirit which in some quarters il
called for. We want freedom from the die
tation of monopolies, and from the quackery
which would distress the country to pay an
unmatuled debt or would legislate specie
payments back again without adequate pre-
paration for their performance; and the re-
suits of this session will be the key to SC
much of the Republican policy as relates to
these questions.
The same is true of retrenehment. Not
what platforms propose, but what Congress
does, will determine the statues of the Repub
ican party in a matter touching which the