New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-29
A LETTER FROM ETHAN ALLEN.

NETWORK, Nov %, 1874
JACOB R. FREEsE, esq, Editor state Sentinel, TrentOn
NJ
My DEAR SIR have yours of the Sth inst,
asking from me the intentions OF the National Com.
mtee" with reference the future OF the Liberal Re-
publican party. 1t that time only fully
answer your question. Circumstances must determine
our future In my own Judgment we have made a gal
liant fight which may yet prove to be the skrmish pre-
cedng great victory. We were defeated because no
great issues divided the political parties and per-
sonal arguments sufficient to bring out the
popular vote, 70 change OF administration.
made platform Cincinnati looking to certain
forms At Baltimore the Democracy took the Liberal
platform aud the nominee. At Philadelphia the Repub
Leans adopted substantially the platform and
rowed the fight to one OF men, not principles. There
being then nothing important than individual po-
tical interests stake, the moneyed interests OF the
country thrown with the party in power
and against any change and thus at the beginning the
heaviest artillery placed against u.s. United TO this
the Democracy apsthete; first, because vital
principal awakened interest in the contest and
ond years OF hostility to Mr. Greeley begat in
difference in encounter merely personal between him
and Gen. Grant We did not fail because nominee
was unpopular for to-day believe that man in the
United States boast OF many personal friends
Horace Greeley and no lives who ia more beloved
esteemed than he L. for character prncely In its
selfish record and its loyalty to moral law which
human condnct II is that in the heat Of
an angry contest he illuminated and misrepre-
sented but all such attacks made only by the mis-
cradle gad-es that skim the sound and healthy
aesh Of the body nnd fostering pmple to assal
and feed upon. We failed, because were engaged in
combat not vitalzed by any issue sufficient to make
distinct line between friends and foes.
Its yet 100 soon 70 determine 30 the future. II
Gen Grant faithfully carries out the pledges OF his party
which are substantially heI las those made by the
Liberals Cincinnati he may be the real though not TO
us the accepted agent of reform. Gen. Grant carries
out the measures OF parg, consistency, nothing
else may compel our approval We cannot honestly
sal him II he for the nation that which claim TO
be right II remains be seerwhat Gen. Grant will do
In this direction. he has begun we'll IN the Civil Ser
vice line in Philadelphia. viii he continue this road
OF reform II So must applaud him. IL he do not.
we must resist like honest who claim to battle for
the public good
When Congress meets, presume the leaders OF our
the many others In the two Houses, will point the
way" before It would be premature and mprudent
20 Indicate any till these able honest men
have had time and opportunity 20 speak The Liberal
Republicans do better than TO be passive for
present and watch events- II have forced the
enemy sefdofense. TO adopt code OF pohti-
cal morals then have already the victory
though other hands than those which would have
chosen execute the reform But II the party In power
prove by their recresncy that tho made in the
storm " DO broken IN The sunshine. then t with be