New-York tribune., 1874-07-17

shown this same Democratic stupidity" ny ne
gotiatng another treaty of reciprocity. When
the Address tells us that the Democratic party
was peculiarly embarrassed in the collection
"Of revenue" we are irresistibly reminded
how the Republican party of late has escaped
that annoyance by going halves with
Sanborn aud squeezing William f. Dodge.
When we read that in Democratic times de-
"ficient revenues were aided by lOans,' we
ask whether that was worse than aiding de-
Gcient revenues, in a season of profound peace
by the secret issue of irredeemable paperf
1t is an undeniable fact that in former days
there were long sessions of Congress, when
"the talk endured for months, the work was
accomplished in weeks" but we should IKE
to know if that abuse has been reformed 1t is
admitted that under a Republican Administra-
ton great many pcculations and other
olfenses have been exposed. and the Commit
tee claim credit for attempts to punish them;
but they omit to add that their President
always stands by the offenders, reappoints
Shepherd, promotes Richardson, and Furnishes
Cluss. Indeed we wonder, IN reading parts
of the Address, whether the party managers
have resolved to throw Grant overheard and
declare openly against him, or are only blind
to the present and forgetful OF the recent
past.
The behavior of the Democrats in opposi-
ton is described even better than their
failures in power. They have changed their
platforms time after time with reckless incon-
sistency and yet with an amazing mlsappre-
hensiOn of public sentiment and as II to add
the last touch to the portrait the Indiana
Democratic Convention chooses this moment
to reiterate the heresics exploded SIX years
ago, and solemnly avow itself IN favor OF
bankruptcy, reputation, and prescription. SO
true it is that this wretched party learns
nothing from either prosperity or defeat.
Obstinate in opposition, reckless and wrong
headed in moments of temporary success, 1t
has already forgotten the fair promises OF
1871 and 1872, and has made no other use OF
its few petty victories than to convince the
country that it ought never to win another.
What has the Republican party to offer us
for the future The old issues are closed.
The war and its consequences are irrcvocable.
The work which the Republican organization
was made for has been honOrably finished. In
spite of the simile of the faithful servant with
which the Address opens, every politician
knows that parties cannot live upon ancient
history. We do find accordingly in the closing
paragraphs of the Address an intimation of
the new question upon which the Repub lean
party purposes to 60 before the country. 1t
is not the currency-the first great question of
the day-for the promises made at Philadel-
phia and so many other places of restoration
of specie payment are formally repudiated. 1t
is not the reformation of corrupt and mer-
cenary politics 1t is not the settlement of
the Southern problem. 1t is transportation.
The Republican party wants to fight the next
campaign on the transportation question.
Here at least we have a plain policy.
The favorite device of the Changers is
frankly condemned Legislative interference
with railroad tariffs is pronounced too haz-
"ardous." "Any policy which would tend to
"drivc capital from us should be avoided If
"possiblen But the Committee give their
recommendation to the scheme of opening
four great water routes from the prairie to the
seabOard which will give the National Gov
ernment the expenditure of an internal i'm
proyement fund of S2OOOO,000 year for six
or seven years, and as much longer as may be
found convenient. That is the Republican
platform for next ycar-that and, we must
presume the repeal of the Wisconsin law and
all similar railroad enactments.
Finally, whatever we may think OF this plan,
the Committee urge the people to send the
best men they have to the next Congress, but
in any event to send Republicans, not Demo-
Gratis. "Get on, my son." said a shrewd father
to q young man entering the world; " nom
"estly if you can, but get on"