New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-20
SHEET BELLS OUT or TUNE.

There be platforms and Platforms, and one
party it seems may have a great many, each
differing from the others, but all embsdying
the living principles by which they swear,
and by supporting which they live. The plat
forms of this year, especially OF the Admins
traton party, promise to be q curious study
of political literature. The Conventions have
already begun. and the first work of the
Republican platform writers in Indiana, Illinois,
Vermont, and Maine has been given to the
public. The trihing diversities of opinion
upon the questions of currency and finance in
these several procamatons of principles have
been adverted to in THE TRIBUNE heretofore.
Whoever out of them all cannot be suited
must be difficult to please. They present
pretty nearly all possible aspects OF the ques-
ton, and what with the great variety of
views they offer and the various constructions
which may be put upon each, the ground
seems thoroughly and etfectually covered.
We do not see how any opposition party can
take position upon the subject OF finance
that the Administration party in some OF the
States has not already occupied. AS for the
people for whose entertainment and instruc-
ton these documents are issued. they pay
their money and can take their choice.
Upon other issues the resolutions are as full
of sound and fury as a fish-horn. The lndl-
ana Republicans "appeal with pride and conn.,
denco to tho past history" OF the party at
the start and beat the air through half col
umn of east wind. 1t is a remarkable fact
that political parties, after they have done
their work and have nothing else to do, and
are divided among themselves upon every
| tbo IF
offices in the family, invariably begin to :" APP
"pecl with pride and confidence" to history.
| The Indiana gentlemen who did not want to
differ with Morton, and did not dare break
with the President. talked themselves all out
of breath about their past history before they
touched the financial or any other question.
Some of the things they sag in the
first quarter of mile of she resOlu-
lions are "tOo funny for anything" For in
stance, with two sessions Of Congress just be-
hind them, one of which is not yet closed, in
which the principal business has been the in
vestigatiOn of official corruption, bribery, theft,
and violence by the party in power, and tho
results of Investigations have been to estab-
lsh the proof of all that was charged and
more, these people calmly remark that there
is no faint of suspicion now resting on its
"hOnOr as party" Nothing could be more
refreshing than this, unless it be the succeed
ing statement that sit has so conducted pub
" lie affairs that at the last Presidential cleo
d" ton one of its members was accepted as the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency"
And even this is rivaled by the GOODNESS with
which, having been caught stealing and COM
| PEELED to disgorge its plumber, it parades the
nf oh
BY "Cr6dit Mobiler" Investigations, its repeal OF the
"Salary Grab" by the abolition OF the corruptng moety
system and Of the sanbon contracts it has shown how
readily 1t pays obedience to the public Judgment BY
its searching investigation into the abuses Of the Dis
trict OF Columbia. and its prompt condemnation OF adj
minstrative officers 1t has demonstrated its undated
hostility the demorazng doctrine that to the victor
belongs the spols OF office; and having thus secured
record which dees impeachment, and brought the coun
try into its present condition Of peace and pros
perity by which party IS reckless enough
TO assault 1t has left practical difference SETTLE
cent upon mere questions OF administrative policy and
yet 1t progressive party welded to no class and the
especial interests Of class but, the party OF the
people, suits its policy to each step In tho progress Of
those developments which mark the advancing Of
our prosperity
We have heard men of sublime effrontery
described as having "the cheek of heather
"godn Hereafter tho standard should be the
cheek of an Indiana Republican Convention.
| Think of its prompt condemnation" of the
District officials. its undated hostility to the
demoraizing doctrine that to the victOrs be-
"long the spOils Of Oflice"-(with the blood of
| the Civil Service Reform still red on the door
| stem of the House)-Of the record which de-
fes impeachment" and the country's present
condition of peace and prosperity" Why,
these fellows would drown father and mother
and then plead Orphanage in mitigation of
| their punishment.
In Illinois they reafirmed"- handy word
| the Philadelphia declaration with reference to
| specie payments, and relying upon the broad,
clean record of the Republican party'-his-
tory again appealed once more to that silent
"yet conclusive tribunal, the ballot box
which is extremely good.
LIN Vermont they affirmed their adhesion y
which is another way of reatlirming and
proceeded to state their calm conviction that
1.-THE events Of the national campaign of 1872,
"and the history of public affairs since then,
"have fully justified our party in its action
"and have clearly shown that now, as hereto
"fore, it alone can be relied upon to maintain
"and preserve the great results of the over
"throw of the Rebellion They also "hail
with joy every step toward permanent peace
"and obedience to law in the States lately in
rebellion" and congratulate " the President
"Of our CHOICE" land our party" that "it il
liable aud willing to punish wrong and rec.ify