Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-06-02
2nlitifal.
From the Baltimore American.
Political Leadership.

The Boston Journal, alluding to the
assertion that the recent defeat of the
Republican party in New York was
caused by deterioration in its leader,
ship, and that since Thuriow Weed
ceased to control the organization no
one has arisen with ability to take his
place, says that this is an easy way OF ac-
counting unpleasant results, but it is not
profitable, because it is not just. There
are several States wherein no Republl-
can of the acknowledged strategic abili-
ties of MIR. Weed can be found, but
where, nevertheless, the Republican or
ganization is in full, tide of predoml-
nance. We imagine that it would be
nearer the truth to say that the kind OF
leadership indicated above has been the
bane of the Republican party of New
York 1t has led too many of its MEM
hers to look upon success not as the IN
evitable consequence of sound views.
faithfully and clearly put before the
people, but as a thing of management,
of dexterOus wire pulling, of artfuily
coptrived slates,' if not of mercenary
rings Such policy may answer
with some political organizations, but
masses ofthe Republican party. Drawn
together originally by the spirit of resis-
tance to slavery, which stirred the best
best blood of the North, they have ever
retained that love of Independence, that
devotion to principle, that reliance upon
appeal and conviction, which carried
them into national power, and enabled
them to combine all the patriotic ele-
ments of the country during the up
heaval of the war period We SUBJ
scribe heartily to these sentiments
They cannot be too often repeated or too
earnestly dwelt upon. The Republican
party cannot be managed by mere dex-
ferrous politicions. 1t is the party OF
principle and not of expedients, and Its
impulses must come from its convlc-
tions, and not from the arts and inf1uen-
ces of ordinary political management
In this respect it often differs as mate
rally from the Democratic party as it
does in its purposes and wishes. The
one party is composed of men who leave
their leaders to do their thinking. and
which is held together only by its ira
ditions, prejudices and party drill. The
Republican party, on the contrary, can
only be successfully reused by appeals
to its judgment and the highest motives
of public policy. Within such a party
there must be permitted TO exist differ
ences of opinion upon minor points,
and the attempt to apply a rigid party
discipline which would enforce a dead
uniformity of sentiment, will only wi
den and increase differences that would
otherwise disappear whenever there
was necessity for concerted action
The whole history of the Republican
party has been proof to this. Upon all
the great issues upon which it was foun-
ded it is to-day as much unit as at any
previous time. But there have come
up new questions, fresh issues, and va
riances of opinion as to the best means
of accomplishing certain objects, that
whilst they ruffle the surface of the pol
icy of the party, have in no way disturb
ed the deep convictions upon which 1t
is founded. Such differences must
exist until full discussion and exami-
nation has brought agreement. The at
tempt to get up for the Republicans that
sort of leadership which prescribes a
cast-iron discipline, and which threat
ems to read out of the ranks of the Or
ganization all men who do not at once
forego their individuality at the COM
mand of these so-called leaders, is as
presumtuous as it is unwarranted and
foolish.