New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-23
OPENING OF TIE ONO CAMPAIGM

OPENING Of IHE UHIO CdMTdIUh'
If anybody imagined that the recent -four
ish of trumpets in the Democratic Convention
of Ohio which was caught up and reechoed
through the Union with such glee by the de-
lighted organs of the party, had much meaning
further than that the leaders were tired OF
being out and wanted to get III, 1T Is
time now for that delusiOn to cease
The effervescence Of that squirt of en-
thusiasm has subsidized. The Southern wing of
the party evidently prefers its own old idols
to the new ones manufactured for it at the
North in desperate imitation of the Republic
cans, and even here, where the new and cred
liable departure took its rise, there is an
ominOus attempt on the part of many
to keep the platform to perform ON
in public, but to perforate it with so many
sneaking trap-dOOrs of Interpretation that no
real power or trustwOrthiness will remain in
it. There is still among our people great
deal of respect for honest, open, square dealing
| for plain and distinct speech. The ingenious
double-tongue of the Democratic party VIII
not gain half as many adherents as will be
attracted by the straightforward and positive
enunciatiOn of principle which was made In
the speeches and resolutions of the Ohio Con-
ventiOn on Wednesday.
1t is always pleasing to see old offenders
turning from their sins and seeking better
life, and we have not withheld the cordial
approval of THE TRIBUNE for those Demo-
Gratis who have endeavOred to lift their party
ont of the disreputabe rut in which 1t
has been labOring so long. But 1T
is still better and more encouraging
to see an old and honored organization stand
inc fast by the ancient ways which it has
proved thoroughly and found to be good.
The Ohio Republicans renew their allegiance
to all the great truths which have formed the
confession of faith of the party through 80
many years OF battle, and which will never
grow haclneyed or stale until they are
recognized and avowed by all. Equal Rights,
Impartial Suffrage, Financial Honesty, these
are principles which are properly declared and
insisted upon by the Republican party, as long
as the opposition refuse to adopt them openly
and cordially. 1t is a folly beyond definition,
that they should prefer defeat to full avowal
of allegiance to truths so evident and so salu-
tary. But as long as they wish defeat on this
basis, it is the duty and the pleasure of the
Republicans to accommodate them.
But planting itself upon these fundamental
principles, the vigorous and energetic Repub-
lican party of Ohio reaches forward to the
future and grapples boldly with the problems
of practical craftsmanship which now con-
front the country. In the able and eminently
clear and fearless speeches of Senator Sher-
man and Gen. Garfield, the keynote of the
coming campaign is struck. The party points
proudly to its achievements in the past, not
as justification for idleness now, but as
proof that it will be as true to its
responsibilities in the future as it has
always been. 1t assumes, with that courage
and conscience which have marked all its
history, the task of sustaining and enforcing
the conauests of the war in freedom and equal
rights of protecting and purifying the process
of elections; of preserving unstained the
financial honor of the country; and of
pursuing unfinchingly its plans Of retrench-
ment and reform, and the steady reduction OF
taxation. There is not one word to excite
wrangling and discord. The points upon which
Republicans may honestly differ were left for
discussion in the proper places. Nothing
was said or done to mar that crafty
ing and imposing unity in which the
invincible champions of popular freedom in
the West propose to go forward this Autumn
to victory which shall confirm all former
conquests, and prepare the final and crowning
triumph of 1872.