National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-17

THE POLITICAIs OUTbOOh.
In various parts Of the country where |
elections will be held this fall the ne wspapers |
aud the politicians arc beginning to discuss |
the chances and speculate upon the proba- |
blllties OF the coming contest So far as we
have been able to form Judgment from a
careful observance Of all the signs Of the
times, the situation Is practically the same as
Il was last November. In every quarter Of
the Union the opposition is without hope,
without policy, without a platform. We
have, 10 be sure, the usual number Of platl-
tudes about the tyranny aud dcspotism Of the
Administration, about the corruption OF the
party In power, about Capitalization, and so
forth; but this Is only the same old story that
has been made to do service In every cam
paign from the very beginning Of the Gov
eminent. Washington was accused Of enter
tanning monarchical ideas; jackson was
charged with having overthrown the liberties
Of the country; Lincoln, We were told, had
numbered the days Of the republic. The first
election OF General Grant reminded these
same gentlemen OF the coup detdt Of Napo-
leon the Third; his reelection, It was said,
was the beginning of the American empire.
The same old party slogan that VIC hear now
Ia as old as the history of our party politics,
and has as much foundation in fact now as 1t
had when It was first rung out to alarm and
terrify people. All this talk may be dis
missed as so much idle twsddle, which will
have no effect whatever In deciding the issues
that will shortly be brought up for popular
approval or disapproval.
The only speck of trouble that has appeared
anywhere to render doubtful the prospect of
Republican victory Is In the West. In the
farmers and agriculturists Of that section lies
the main strength Of the Republican party,
and II there Is at the present time danger
anywhere II Is IN the dissatisfaction which
would seem to exist and does exist towards
the two political parties. But this dlssatis-
faction, which appeared so formidable only
lew months ago, has almost entirely passed
away. The skillful effort Of the Democrats
and the Liberal Republican faction to turn
the farmers movement into machine for
their own advancement has disguised hum
dreds of thousands who were supporters Of
the movement, and driven them back to the
Republican party. They have changed their
tactics and come TO the conclusion that the
reforms which they desire can be obtained
within tho party much more speedily and
surely than outside of II. They see that the
Democracy Offers them nothing in the way Of
q solution of the transportation question cx-
cept free trade. Free trade is the panacca Of
the Chicago Tribune and of the New York
World for all their ills. These West
ern men, who have been for the last
thirteen years giving their support to
the protective policy, who have been aiding
to build up the marvellous prosperity that at
present crowns the country, despite the dire
predictions of those who hold the opposite
ideas, naturally hesitate to make SO radical
O change Of base, the results OF which are so
uncertain and problematical. The Republic
can party, on the other hand, II We under
stand its aims and policy, favors the enact
ment of such laws and regulations as will
curb the enormous power Of the railroads;
the construction of great lines of internal
water communication, which will bring. the
interior and the coast together, and give the
farmers market for their surplus produce.
The Democratic party offers these classes
and the whole country a mere generality.
The Republican party offers them tangible,
substantial reality. One is enveloped in
uncertainty; the other Is an absolute Ger
tainty. One is only fine-spun theory; the
otner nara, pfactleu lact.
To-day those Of our people who arc anx-
ious for a change-and there is always
large class who cannot sec In either party
full realization Of their ideas, and who are
casting around them for new alliances and
political combinations-this large class, who
generally decide the elections, and make
Presidents and Congresses, look In vain In
the columns of the opposition press or to the
conventions of the opposition party for new
idea. All the Democratic organs are filed only
with abuse Of the party In power. Denuncia-
tlon of the salary grab, of the credit mobilier,
of the absence Of the President from the cap
ital, petty snarllng over this and that ap-
polntment, personal malice, invective and
spleen - never was more dull and drcary
stuff presented by party who claim that
they should be entrusted with the admins
tration Of the Government. Upon the great
national and industrial questions, which con-
Germ the welfare of the whole people, they
are utterly silent. Surprise is sometimes
expressed at the wonderful strength
and tcnacity Of the Republican party, and
shallow observers, who look only at the
surface Of events, sometimes ascribe It
to the decentralization Of the people, to their
Indifference to the perpetuntion Of Repub-
lican principles and to the enormous power
Of the Federal patronage. The Federal
patronage never saved party or made II
stronger. On the contrary 1t has always
been o source of weakness. The "outs" are
always more numerous than the Gins, and
political revolutions arc always In order,
merely for the hope OF what they may bring.
The Republican party is all but invincibe
everywhere to-day, and the outlook Is bright,
because 1t Is the champion Of great vital
principles and ideas which stand In the front
rank of civilization Itself. 1t is strong be-
cause the people are more enlightened, more
intelligent, more republican to-day than ever
they were. 1t has done many things which
had better been left undonG. Some OF It's
leaders have yielded TO great temptations and
fallen by the way; but 1t was its own hand
that inflicted the seyercst punishment upon
Its unworthy officers. It holds the country
now because, taking II all and all, there Is
no party that Is likely to do more for the
country than it is pledged to do.
The GREAT TOPIC of interest at the next
meeting Of Congress will undoubtedly be the
transportation question. Senator WINDOWS
committee, which has been travelling through
the country investigating the various pro-
posed water routes from the West TO the
East, will be ready with Its report, which will
open up the whole subject for public discus
sion. The Republican party must not fail to
take action upon IL If II would retain lis hold
upon popular confidence and keep up with
the progress Of the age, Incidental to this
will be the question Of imposing proper
restrictions upon the corporations and monop-
ollcs which have so long controlled legIsla-
tion and dictated their own terms to Legisla-
lures and Congresses.
The failure Of Congress to act upon the in
formal communication question Is already be-
giuning TO have Disastrous effect upon the
commerce and igfaf<(,L d the country.