The New York herald., 1870-11-16
TIE TRIBUNES AT WAR.


The general results OF the recent elections tndi.
cate that the issues growing out Of slavery and the
great pro-savcry rebellion are settled; that the
mere platform OF ECONOMY and REFORM" with
out specifying by what measures these gltttor-
ing generalitios are to be put In practice, is as
available to one party asanothcr, and consequently
Ia not available the special platform OF any party
and that on the present living issues, as to the
proper mode OF laying taxes and tariffs for the sup
pert OF the government the two old party organiza
ons can no longer be relied upon for their full party
VOTE Both parties are, some extent disntexrated
and dsorganized by this change Of issues, as might
enters into the light everywhere with the adyan-
tage OF having an issue In which 1t believes, ana
The republican party as sucb for four wears INST
has had no issue on this question except within Its
own ranks. large number Of It's leading states
men and organs, as well as OF its voters, are as
heartily committed to free trade or revenue tariff
as any portion OF the democratic party. Upon this
tent, has been, union OF the homogeneous elements
such as win enable those who think alike in the two
past political parties to work together In future p0
The same necessity which in ls4s induced william
Q. Bryant and his Journal, the New York Epenfng
they agreed on all other questions, TO cooperate
with the free soil afterwards republican, party on
the main question now induces such leaders in the
Bryant, Wendell Phillips William Lloyd Garrison,
Henry Ward Beechc-. Lyman Trumbull, Carl Schurz,
- III,
John Logan, Governor Palmer, Frederick Doug
lass, &c, and such journals as the New York
ECent10 Post, Cincinnati Commercial and Gazette
and ST. Louis Democrat, to effect such recsnstruc-
ton and reorganization OF political parties as win
enable them to vote squarely Tor such a revenue
tiously support without becoming responsible for or
identifying themselves with the past errors OF the
ton IN Missouriis the result OF such reorganization
OF political parues and IS triumph OF the distnc-
lively free trade party over theprotectOnist though
thp unn
In Illinois the two parties adopted IN convention
substantially the same platform, the republican
demanding tree trade. YET in going before the the
people on these platforms the republican candi.
dates were met by the point that in Congress they
would be compelled, by party affiliations on
other questions, to come under the lead OF pro-
tectionist caucuses. to vote for protecuonist
Speaker to see their business referred to protec-
ZIONIST committees, and general proiectonist
inclination given to their votes whatever might be
their personal prediiectons This might nave been
vote and act with free traders in all matters In
voving this question, irrespective Of their previous
many republicans who desired to sustain the free
Votes could oe cast most effectively for
sn sressonsl isissSioa IN ns iiinos from s eleven even
republicans and seven democrats. The same In.
influences have had an effect In Indiana, Missouri
Michigan and Wisconsin. Had 1t been clearly un.
organize. elect its Speaker appoint It's committees
and held Its caucuses upon q division or parties
based on new ana living issues, the people would
have voted in accordance with that understand ng.
But so long that Is doubtful the party whose posi-
tion s uncertain must continue to give place to the
candidates whose position Is declared
In Schenck's district, ID. J. MorreS and McCar-
thys, OF syracuse, the issue was made up mainly
the question Of protection and free trade the friends
Of free trade voting in some degree without regard
to past political Affiliations, and carrying McCarthy's
district for republican Tree trader In the Conven-
ton, and the other two districts for free trader at
the polls.
The time has now come when the tive real par
ties ef the country, the free traders and prstec-
Iionists, must cast their votes where they Will
tell most effectively for their principles, both In
Congress and out OF 1t. 1t Is impossible that we
shall continue voting on dead issues, and dodg-
ing the living and vital ones. AZ our New York
despatch intimated Yesterday the Revenue reform
party will enter the next Congress prepared
to claim the Speaker, the organization OF the
House and the appointment OF committees, so that
the business before Congress- may be presented IN .
the people, as indicated In the recent SECTIONS. II
the prOtectionlss OF the country desire to carry
this issue general election or to form national
party their own basls we shall at oil times stand
ready meet tilem. II not, It Is pretty clear tnat,
so long the democratic party elects none but free
traders and the free trade republicans vote for none
but free traders while the protectionsts rely on the
prestige OF the republican organization and shrk
the issue, the complexion OF Congress WILL rapidly
change into for revenue reform, and, possibly,
democratic. On the whole, In the recent elections
the democracy have made gains. But their gain
over the high tariff party IN the prestige OF success
in organization, confidence and power. All these
will make themselves felt at the outset In the meet
ing OF the next Congress.