New-York tribune., 1871-06-05
nIGS ER0M THIH1LEH.

The l,te action of the Ohio Dem ocratic State
! Convention seems to us full of danger 10 the
Republican party. And yet we greet it with
| hearty welcome and rejoicing.
We suppose the purpose of political parties
| to be the advocacy of politca! principles, and
| the measures whereby these may be made
practical. and We regard the general accept
| ance of oar principles as of more consequences
! 60 the Country than the mere triumph OF 'au
! party. We have held the attitude OF the
! Democracy towards the events or the WAL
! towards it's results, towards the negro, ana the
| Constitution. as most alarming anu pefho"7'
compact, disciplined organization en-
| byoc;nc nearly one-half our citizens,
| inspired by the traditions or great
| nowcr and liable at any sudden disturbance or
| tbe noliiic,l equilibrium to regain 1t, this po-
! tc,tial marty has steadfastiy denied the legal
foroe of the abolition of Slavery. the civil
rights of the negro. or the binding nature OF
| certain most important clauses OF the ConSti-
| tuition. In a late political canvass, the change
of few thousand votes would have gwen 1t
the means of enforcing its views, cOnyulslng
the Country by the catastrophe of the sudden
loss of al that four years of terrible fighting
had gained. While the party held its old
attitude, this peril perpetually confronted
us. Ordinary political differences af-
feet only questions Of national policy
this went down to the very foundation
OF the Government and the most sacred rights
of its citizens. Considerations of Tariff. and
Revenue, and the Public Lands, and the ex-
| tension Of our territory, are momentOus this
was vital. We should regard defeat on issues
| like those as deplOrable ON this it would
| have been runOus. While the Democratic at
| titude remained unchanged, it was perpetual
menace. Now that it has been abandoned IN
one or two great States, and is likely TO be IN
others, we have no snecrs for the New De-
"parture." Democratic leaders stood in semi
traitOrOuS hostility to the Constitution
they now pledge themselves to Its pa
triotic support; and without pauSing to
calculate the effect upon ourselves, we welcome
their repentance and celebrate their return
May the prudent cOunsels of Ohio prevail
throughout the Union till the whole party OF
Reaction puts behind 1T Slavery, and Secession,
and the War. accepts the equal rights of every
citizen of whatever color, stands ready to de-
fcnd their constitutional guarantees, and so
permits the TcgeneTated Nation, closing for
! ever the ghastly page of Slavery and Rebellion,
| TO turn all its attention to the peaceful prob
lens of industrial development that await it.
! But, while we rejoice that the late assailants
! of the Constitution have stopped their warfare
upon it, we do not thereupon propose to in
trust them with its instant defense. Accept
ing their repentance is one thing; committing
to them, forthwith, the command of the cita-
del they have been fighting against would he
quite another. Confidence, as Mr.. Vallandigham
and his followers will find, is plant of slow
growth, and this generation will not, III their
cases. witness it's maturity. The Country re-
ioces that it is no longer forced to count
them among its foes; it will wait lOl NefOre
it adopts them as its trusted cOunselors. Past
treason is not the best proof of present fidelity;
that in 1862 they wished the surrender OF the
Government to Slavery is not a reason why III
1872 they should be trusted to control the
Government in the interest of Freedom. And
besides, the world is always suspicious OF
sudden conversions. 1t may give a warm
hand to the converts, but it is sure to keep
an open eye for the proofs of their sincerity.
The new coat of the Copperhead is glossy and
beautiful; but prudent man Will be very
slow and cautious in giving it his trust Oh
the theory that it must have shed It's mahg-
nant nature with its spotted skin.
And so we conclude as we began. The new
movement of the Democracy is not without
danger to the Republican party 1t is an
abandonment of an attitude fraught with
greater danger to the Country, and as such we
give it cordial, ungrudging welcome. But
we believe that, while the People will rejoice
at the giving up of Democratic opposition to
the Constitution they will still prefer to CON
fide the management of its defense to hands
that have never opposed it. The Democracy,
from whatever motives, have done patriotic
act. They have surrendered to the Republicans.
The People will see in it final acknowledg-
ment that the Republicans were right in the
mast and a further reason for trusting them
in the futur re.