New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-28


without stint for the passage of the Salary
Grab, nominated supporter, defender, and
advocate of that measure as its candidate for
Speaker of the House of Representatives, it
did perfectly characteristic thing
And yet the Administration party, doubtless
for the reason that it has had more extended
facilities and constant opportunities, has fur
nished more signal illustrations than even
these, of the utterly incOnsequential relation
of political performance to partisan promise.
Notable among these is its action as ma
tional party with regard to the state OF affairs
in South Carolina and its connection as a
local organization with the lamentable and
wretched condition of the ax-paying and re-
spectacle citizens of that State. 1t is hardly
worth while to repeat or recapitulate the
promises the party has made to give that I'M
happy State security, prosperity. and honest
government. All its platforms and addresses
are full of them. To the demand Of the peo-
pie for some fulfllment of them. the response
from an Administration that has consDicu0usly
interfered in the domestic affairs of Louisiana,
Texas, Arkansas, and other Southern States,
has been that its regard for the sovereignty
of the State and the right of local self-gov-
eminent prevented its taking any action.
When corrupt msgovcrnment and public rob-
berry became so fragrant that defense was i'm
possible and apology dangerous, the Admin
istration disclaimed all responsibility for
South Carolina politics and politicians. But
the disclaimer, like all the matter of plat
forms and addresses, was merely formal The
Infamous creatures who were living upon the
proceeds of public robbery in that State con-
tinued to be supported by the Administration :;
many of them held Office under it, and were
high in the confidence Of the party, and their
triumph never failed to be hailed by its leaders
and heralded by its presses as an Adj
mnistraton victory. In 1872 there was a
"reform movement" in South Carolina; one
of those undertakings so loudly and constantly
commended to dissatisfied persons as reform
cling the party from the inside" 1t was sue
cessful 1t gave the electoral vote OF the State
to Grant. 1t turned out Gov. Scott. And
most sweeping of all reforms-t elected-whom
but Moses2 OF Moses we need not speak
He is unhappily too well known outside the
State as well as by the citizens who are pay
ing so heavily for their acquaintance with him.
1t is enough to say that in the light OF his
administration, ex-Gov. Scott, who was re
"formedn out of Office in 1872, comes before
the Republicans of the State with his own
vndication, and shows pretty cOnc!uSivey that
he was honest and pure in comparison with
Moses.
And now comes forward the Hon. Robert b.
Elliott, member of Congress and President of
the South Carolina Republican State Com
hahn nj nf hat
Committee protesting anew that reform Is
necessary, and that the only way to secure ii
is to keep the present dominant party in
power, but to select honest men for office.
He admits that the pledges given to the
"people in our platform of 1872 have not been
/" fully redeemed;n that "the attention of the
Country has been called to South Carolina; )"
that "the American people demand that NAL
administration shall cease and good govern
"ment be at once inaugurated;" and that
the National Republican party admonishes
us to at once retrace our steps and vindi-
" cate by our action the integrity of Repub-
licauism.p The causes leading TO the present
condition he declines to discuss, and refrains
from "sclecting individuals for censure,' but
urges with great earnestness 1.-THE duty and
" responsibility of redeemng the State from
" oblodny and disgrace of restoring the public
" confidence, of building up her credit, and of
" saving her from utter and complete ami
" hation." No fault can be found with the
candor of these admissions, and certainly none
with the earnestness with which the need OF
reform is urged. 1t is not improbable that
Mr.. Elliott is sincere in his professions. But
there are two sentences at the close of this
address which seem to indicate greater
anxiety for the success Of the party than
for the welfare of the State. We would ask
"you,n he says, to correct the evils that
" may exist through your party organization.
" Charge not upon the Republican party the
" acts of those officers who may have proved
" faithless to the principles CT that great
" party, as well as to you" This is all very
well, but Mr. Elliott ought to know by this time
that it is much easier to write pretty resolu-
tons and addresses about reform than it is to
fulfill the promises they contain. Reform in
South Carolina thus far has been the turning
out of one set of rogues to give place to hun
crier and baser one. We see no reason to
doubt that Mr.. Elliotts appeal will be sue
cessfu and his party continued in power.
Nor is there any reason to believe that the
action of the party, when 1t gets its vote OF
confidence, will have any relation whatever
with this address, or Its professions and
promises and protestatlons.
The comfort out Of all of it is that there
must be an end by and by to popular credu-
lily, and in other States as well as South
Carolina the windiness and emptiness of par
tisan platforms and addresses will be taken
at their worth and no more.
CARLISM IN THE FRENCH C4BINET