New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-29
MINNESOTA.

ORIGIN OF THE REFORM MOVEMENT IN MINNIE
sOTA-ITs RAPID AND STURDY GROWTH
POLITICAL PROsPECTs-TIIE ADMINISTRATION
PARTY DEsPONDENT.
lPROM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE THBuhE'I
ST. PAUL, June 21.-Libcralism, which is
now unmsi akaby in the ascendant had a hard nght
NOT only for recognition but existence, in this state
Political ideas OF the progressive sort penetrate the
minds of tho average Minnesotian slowly ana Win di
Guilty. The Republican party of the State, although
living the traditions of the past was as parties go
perhaps purer and guided by better men than some
Western Republican boroughs boast. Although It's
lights are not conspicuous st it did not have to blush
for Copkpg OF hide the head at the antics of Butler
or n Morton But men cannot long associate together
at the seat Of Government without catching the sprt OF
the times and Congressman and Senators soon develop
enough Of the ways Of the REGULARS to warn the peo
ple that such thing change might be wholesome
thing The party in the State, pampered in the demon
aizng ease Of Office for somewhat more than decade
pled AZ the abuses Of the central authorities, or pro-
flied by the corruption that gradually crept in Purity
and restraint have been for year or two disappearing
from the organization, and the campaigns have been
fought and refought the triumphs and issues OF the
mast "Ioyay and other war cries, that should have
died out long SINCE have been Esed On 70 exc 9gt tne
enthusiasm that poor and frAgmenary platforms
failed 70 elicit But when those who tired Of this, de-
manded principles and men, the regulars offered only
Grant; and to assure his acceptance by the party d.
rected all the machinery of party tyranny TO Dear upon
the recacitrants.
Washington for time had its way: official patronage
held sway But presently portion OF the party gre"
FESTIVE and declared that Office could not compensate
for the disgrace of the Government and the prostitution
of noble party The time had come for sweeping re-
FORMS And as Gen Grant had failed TO carry out these
reforms or TO evince any disposition to do So the party
was no longer bound to support him. This was the
general tone of the complaints OF course the men III
trenched in Office shouted treason and prescribed the
ORATORS Then Mr.. Summers displacement, the
French Arms scandal the New-York Custom-bouse eX-
nosures and the Casey infamy were dragged TO light
and tbe hest pubc sentiment of the State arrayed lsef
| with the RefOrmers. The growing lns0lenee OF the
o0ice-holders and their plainly declared purpose TO
nerpetuate Grants power did even more to unle the
strong opposition which held itself in readiness 10 seize
| the first opportunity for effective resistance.
| The Reformers were somewhat embarrassed for
time in lacking press 10 urge their views. There are
not many Republican papers in the state, nut IN TINS
crisis one Of the very foremost me 81 raul DiSpdfe
arrayed itself the lists of Reform From mat day the
moyement rapidly gained strength and purpose. Ihat
journal has conducted the campaign with admirable dis
cretion and ability and its editor Mr. H. r. Hall, has
NOW deseryedly great weight In the Liberal councils
In Minnesota, unlike Western States generally, party
! organizations date back TO aneTerroHai times ana
animated relics OF the past still preside over the desti-
| nies OF PARTIES. With the genuine native, partf
| an feeling is as strong as religious zeal.
| and greatly more blatant and obtrusiye. In
| politics, ms in religion, the faith OF the father
| IL the creed OF the SON. II is faVonte
| assertion of the veteran "war-horse" that he was
rocked In Democratic or Wing CRADLE as the ease may
ne and il is almost that he was nourshed on
49,, nabulum-decIarations that cease to excite
the most glowing enthusiasm from the growing genera
ton and a lively ambition for nurture OF the same
sort Some Difference should be shown to the consistency
| Of these veterans who cling TO the memory OF past
| benefits rather than yeam for the ayors to come
From these causes it has happened that year after year
| platforms repeat themselves aud the men that grow
gray and retire one set Of principles sec them re-
| Illustrated and applied by succeeding generations
The Liberal cause into existence under exceIe
topally favorable circumstances. AS the movement
emerged from the impedments Of Its surroundings the
most conspicuous and ceanhanded men in both parties
lent aid and assistance Judge Aaron Gooderich lin
coins friend and adviser, ex-Gov Sherwood Senator
wilkinson II. H. Young Nhe brilliant editor Of The Roeh
ester UniOn H. p Hall, and score more OF the same
sort came forward and confirmed the trust OF the party
that east its desnies with the neg movement. linen
the Democratic current set in strongly, and since the
Philadelphia meeting the Republican tide has not been
| far behind. When the Democratic primaries came to-
eetber there was but one expresion-Liberalism and
Reform On the 10th nst the friends Of reform the
initial triumph Of the The Democratic party rem
dered its tribute TO the purity and power of the Cncn-
natl Convention by ENDORSING its action adopting its
candidates. and binding the delegates 10 vote rst last
| and always for Greeley and Brown
The formal record Of the action OF the Convention
does not wholly indicate the moving causes that have
achieved this triumph. This resuG was brought about
almost wholly by the inherent strength OF the Liberal
cause in this State irrespective Democratic sympa-
thy The editor of The ST. Paul Pioneer, the largest as
well as one Of the most capable aud influential expo
| nepts of Democracy west of Chicago, owned quite
frankly his party would not have been brought to
such explicit action had the leaders, been perfectly
satisfied with the proportions Of Liberal movement
This gentleman Nlr. Fisher further declared that he
would not have counseled he did, the Endorsement Of
the ticket and platform, If he had not assured himself
beyond all doubt Of the overwhelming growth of the
Liberal party His paper ON the morning OF the Con-
yention declared the nomination Of Greeley foregone
conclusion and said that 1t would be useless for Bati
more to attempt stop the tide. Such position for
Democratic paper like The Pioneer was marked event
There are still many who refuse TO leave the Repub-
licsn fold until Baltimore shall have irreyocaby ratified
the compact made by the people. Delay this account
has 10 certain extent impeded the organization OF
the canvass. The liberals have an effective tenn
poraTy organization, presided over by excellent men,
and campaign documents are scattered literally over
the State. Judge GOoderich has half promise from
Senator Schurz, made after the nomination at Cinein-
natl TO come and stump the State with him. Both OF
them traversed the for Mr. Lincoln, and the Judge
tells many curious stories OF the Senator's tempestous
methods with mruly audiences The Democrats have
postponed the nomination Of electoral ticket aud the
general organization OF the campaign until Baltimore
shall have settled all uncertainties.
All this hss OF course had some effect upon the Office
holders Some Of the less obiiyOus dependents realize
the danger and there vehement protestons against