The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-25

is impossible that they can accomplish all re-
forms at once; for pity sake let them leave
something for the next generation to puzzle
itself over. j
REPUBLICANS AND THE PARTY. d.
From the NJ y. Tribune. . @Ft "a
We do not think it is assuming too much
when we say that probably no party has ever
been governed SO much by its principles and
SO little by selfshness as the party that has
ruled the country during the past decade. We
do not deny that there have been Republicans
who have loved its patronage more than its
faith; neither do we deny that there are, and
have been, Republicans true in the main in
principle, but tickle and spasmodic in their
action. 1t is, perhaps, to these two classes
that we owe many of the recent efforts to sap
and mine the party. Some who have had an
inadequate idea of its purposes and duties
think it has accomplished its mission, and,
eager for change, and thirsting to be leaders
in new movements, make haste to pull down
the pillars of the temple to clear the way for
their new creeds.i The principles of the Re-
publican party have become history. The
platforms of parties are not always a true test
of them. When q great faith is in the soul
it shows itself, as opportunity offers, in
works, and the Republican party has to offer
the country a republic preserved, slavery
abolished, the republic reconstructed in
across the country, a homestead law, and
many other measures of justice and progress.
Nor have the commercial interests of the
country much actual reason to complain A
new currency has been created which has had
to struggle under the disadvantages. of a
credit sunk by great war, but which has,
even under these adverse. circumstances,
offered the country what it never had before,
uniform currency. When the public credit
hoc 10 will fha l>oc
on it rise. We have no longer wretched
system of local and State banks, whose notes,
when taken at all at the other end of the
country from that which issued them were
taken at q tremendous discount. Money was
scarce, and public and private enterprises
were incapable of the great efforts they now
exhibit The erecent great development of many
portions of the country was simply impossi-
bic under the old system. -,
At the close of a wasting war, a tariff,
which in no uncomfortable degree met the
approval of the constituent elements of the
party, raised for the Government revenue
unprecedentedly great, and afforded inciden-
tally moderate protection. No mode, of
meeting the public burdens was SO free from
objections, whether the question of economy
or efficiency be considered. 1t is possible
that some branches of manufacture might
have profted by greater protection, and the
country been, in the long run, benefited by
their prosperity; but the ground chosen
seemed to be the most suitable to meet the
conflicting views of the different portions of
the party. BY the reduction of as much of
the internal revenue system as those who
were at the helm thought could at this time
be safely spared without injuring the ma
tional credit, the party gave an implied assu-
rance to the country that as fast as practica-
BILE its entire machinery would be abolished.
Is there, then, any party in the country
prepared for free trade, the abolition Of
revenue from that source, and saddling all
the public burdens on direct taxation? We
do not believe it. Neither do we believe that
any very large element in the Republican
party has made up its mind to any such pur-
| pose.y What then? Are the efforts to divide
and break the party in power on this issue
merely efforts of the enemy to SOW discord
on point on which there is known to be
some difference of opinion? We will neither
be SO harsh or uncandid as to charge any
persons or organs of the party with such a
| motive. We do not think the most deter
mined of them has matured system of
opinion on the subject, much less that this
was done in malevolent spirit. At the
same time we believe that there has been an
unwise recklessness, and that indiscreet
friends have attempted to sow within the
party the seeds of mischief.
1t has been doubted by the enemies of re-
publican governments whether parties could
be made the custodian of a governmental
policy. The government is really creature
or exponent of the party which placed it in
power; and in all governments there must be
careful and wise balancing of conflicting
opinions. Are parties capable of making these
judgments and sacrifices? We think they
are. We think so far the Republican party
has done it, and done it wisely. Nay, we fear
the chief reason for picking bones of conten-
tion is the erroneous idea that the party has
closed its work. Yet there is no party to-day
which has task so important or principles
so coherent. But half of the mighty work of
organizing the republic on a basis of freedom
is done. Can its completion be safely left
to the enemies of the system? The fippant
enemies of the Republican party talk mystic
riously of finance, but they are neither ex-
plicit in their own views nor Ineligible in
their criticism of ours. If we wish to fund
our debt at lower rate of interest, the most
sensible course is to prove that we are able
and willing to pay our debts. That is Just
what Grant and the Republican Congress are
doing.