Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-07-18
The Position of the Republican Party.

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death.-Cfnctnndti Gazette.
The Position Of the Republican Party.
No ONE can deny that the attitude of
the Republican party toward all the ques-
tions which are now engaging public at
tention is, on the whole, very satisfac-
tory. No season can be more unpropi-
tious than the present for the effort which
the politicians of the opposition are max
ing to create discomfort toward the party
in possession of the National Govern
ment, and of most of the State govern
ments. The season is so decidedly uh-
propitious that the effort is desperate. II
Is so for several reasons. In the first
place, of the questions engaging public
attention, none is an urgent and command
ing one, or one on either side of which
party can be readily and summarily
placed. The most important of these
questions are, in fact, either comparative
ly new ones, or if not new, then of gen
eral nature, which docs not admit of par
ties being distinctly divided by them. Of
the first class, the transportation question
is an instance. OF the second, an instance
is found in the question of morality in
office, raised by the Credit-Mobilier in
vestigation and the back-pay bill On the
transportation question no party has
well.defined policy, or for some time can
have. All declarations with reference to
it must obviously be general and tenta-
tive. On the question of morality in pub
lie places, parties cannot divide sharply.
Their professions will not differ much.
The public will judge them by their
acts. When only such questions are be-
fore the public, it is obvious that any at
tempt to divert confidence from the party
in possession, and to awaken confidence
in u demoralized, disorganized and ire
sponsible opposition, is a desperate at
tempt.
But in the next place, while the current
questions are not such, or in such shape,
that great political changes can be made
on them, the attitude of the Republican
party toward them, such as they are, is
creditable. 1t is an attitude that the peo-
pie can understand and will respect.
When we speak of the Republican party,
we must be understood to refer to the
party as represented by its journals, its
conventions, and its public men. These,
taken together, afford all the evidence that
can be got as TO what the party thinks and
means to do. And, taking the evidence
thus furnished, there is not a single ques-
ton of any moment on which the Repub-
lican party does not appear to be a safer
| and better party than any opposition party
that is likely to arise. Certainly this is
| not only true, but obviously true as re-
CARDS the two questions to which we have
referred. The Republican party includes
a great majority of the umcompromsing
! opponents and condemners of the parti-
| cipants in the CreditMobilier swindle
| Although some of its former leaders were
| in h0t mic Israt II =
| plain that these men will never again
be leaders. The prominent Republicans
who were distinctly involved in
the CreditMobilier Company have lost
| forever their hold on the party, and we
venture to say that no one understands
this more clearly than they do themselves.
On the other hand, the men with the most
promising careers before them are those
| who were not even touched by the great
investigation of last winter In the same
way, but even more Enthusiastically, the
party Is to be found on the right side of
the salary question. We have yet to come
across the Republican journal of the
slightest influence which defends the
| back-pay provision of that bill Three
State Conventions have spoken on the
| subject. None of these have given it the
least favor. All of them have condemned
|
recommending the repeal of the act-a
measure which might be criticised on the
ground that il is impracticable, or that it
| is indiscriminating, or even that it is
| likely to lead to a revival of the old frank
ing privilege, but which is liable TO no
criticism on the ground of vagueness or
timidity. If there is one thing settled
more plainly than another, it is that the
Republicans, as IA party do not approve,
and will not easily forgive, the voting for
or the pocketing Of the back pay
On the transportation question the posi-
ton of the party is entirely reasonable so
far as it has been taken, and it has been
taken quite as far as the condition of the
question justifes. The conventions which
have been held have recognized the need
of improved and cheaper transportation,
and have Endorsed such experimental
measures as have been suggested with
any degree of authority, for securing this
end. In Illinois the party in power is
making a thorough trial of the scheme OF
pro rata rates, with a maximum fixed by
the State. In Iowa and Ohio, the State
Conventions have recommended similar
trials, while the Republican majority in
the United States Senate has made the
best possible provision for careful in
vestigatiOn of the whole question. What
more could be safely or wisely done? Ii
is clear that no serious flaw can be found
in the course Of the Republican party on
this matter, and that no opposition party
would stand the ghost of chance for i'm
| proving upon it.
We have no taste for political prophecy
We leave that to those wiseacres who
were entirely certain at one time that the
Democrats would never indorse the nomi-
nation Of Mr.. Greeley, and who were
equally certain, as soon as the indorse-
ment was made, that the candidate would
sweep the country. But we venture to
say that the authors of the movement now
on foot to revive the fallen fortunes of the
partners in the disastrous coalition Of last
year will make nothing by their present
efforts Doubtless, as politicians, they
must do something or die. But they can
not do anything, and the country would
not mourn if, politically, they should ac
cept the other alternative.-NeD Y0rl
Times.
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