New-York tribune., 1871-09-26
THE CUST0M.HOUsE TACTICS.


Tomorrow the Republicans Of the State
win meet in council at Syracuse. The dele
gates will come fresh from the people, most
Of them, it is to be hoped, without pledges,
and without prejudices which will enslave
their Judgment. They have great and noble
opportunity. 1t is now possible, if wisdom
and moderation shall guide our action
to redeem this State from the cor
rupt rule which is now running and
debauching us. In spite Of the sneering accu-
sations of the journals and the servants OF the
Ring, that both parties are equally corrupt
everybody, foes as well as friends, expect the
Republicans to do their duty in this coming
campaign. 1t is felt, even in the City Hall,
that although they may occasionally buy
an unworthy Republican, the masses OF
the party are incorruptible, and perfectly
in earnest in their demands for reform. The
State and the nation as WELL fully expect to
see the Republican strength cast solid in favor
of the cause of honesty and retrenchment
whatever may be the number Of Democrats
who regard their country more than party.
With q compact and imposing demonstration
of force on the part of the Republicans, it
will be far easier to encourage the cooperation
of those Democrats who are ready to enter
into q temporary alliance for a campaign of
reform.
Such being the situation and its Oppor-
tunities. we confess it is with the deepest
regret we have heard the rumors which were
current in the City yesterday. 1t is asserted
that those desperate adventures who have
abused the confidence of the President so far
as to gain possession of the Custom House,
and who have from that point of vantage
wrought such fatal confusion in the
Republican party of the City, intend to resort
| to exceptional and unlawful measures to force
from the Convention some expression in their
favor. There are reports of O. large sum OF
money which has been raised In the hope OF
corrupting dishonest or Indifferent delegates
from the country, and there is no doubt that
a formidable group of rufians has been en-
gagged to 90 to Syracuse and hold themselves
in readiness to- carry out the wishes OF Mr.
Murphy. This is q fact too dsgracefu]
to dwell upon. It will seem grotesque to
many that any one of ordinary common
sense should engage in so foolhardy an enter
prise as that of attempting to overawe con-
yention of his own party by threatened riot
But there are no means Of over estimating
either the folly or the violence of the men
who have labored to disorganize the Repub-
lican party of New-York. To say their sup
posed action is foolish and criminal is not to
assert that is is not probable.
1t cannot succeed. These tricks of trading
politicians, which in peaceful times often at
tain their purpose through the apathy of
decent people, will not be allowed to go un-
punished at period like this, when the whole
community is deeply interested and anxious as
to the result of the coming campaign. We ex-
pect to find at Syracuse Convention so impos-
ing in numbers and in character that corruption
and intimidation will be equally fruitless with
them. We expect to see frank, direct ex-
preston of the will of the people of the State
in regard to pending matters-to which, when
it is ascertained in regular and lawful way,
every Republican will bow. But if our factious
opponents from this City make any at
tempt, either by bribery or terrorism. to
defeat the expression of this genuine
desire, we warn them that they must assume
the whole responsibility, and must incur all
the consequences Of such an act which would
necessarily be Of the gravest character. An
attempt to wrest Convention to subserve the
ends Of miserable factious quarrel in an hour
of critical decision like this, is little better
than sacrilege; and as such it will, doubtless
be regarded and punished.