National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-03
THE MASSACHUSETTS, SENAToRsH1f

I
CFrom the Chicago Inter-oceanl
| The spectacle presented by the Republican
party of Massachusetts,, in its contest over the
Senatorial successor of the late Mr.. Sumner, is
altogether discreditable to 1t as political or
ganization. The Dawes and Hoar factions are
both composed Of Republicans who pretend to
believe that the success of their party is essen
tial to the continued prosperity of the country.
Neither of these factions has aught to say pre-
judicial to the character or political views Of
the opposing candidate. Neither wishes to
witness a Democratic success. But the present
dead lock must result practically in one of
three results, viz: 1. The dropping of both
Hoar and Dawes and the substitution of some
other Republican,; Q. Tho detection of either
the Dawes or Hoar faction to Curtis or Adams;
8. An accidental choice, brought about by dis
gust and the consequent Generalization of all
the warning Republican factions. The Repub-
lican members of the Massachusetts Legislature
should bear In mind this fact of history: that
Democrats never desert their party orgsniza-
ton. They possess this theoretical and practi-
cal consistency, that having professed faith in o
certain political creed, 1t is plain common
sense duty to stand by the party which is
bound to carry the creed into operation so soon
as it shall have achieved power. 1t follows that
the Republican members of the Legislature
of the old Bay State must do one of four
things: 1. Agree upon candidate in their
own ranks; 2. Or assist to elect Curtis or
Adams; 3. Or prevent an election, and so
leave Mr.. Summers seat vacant; 4. Or dis
band their party organization and let the acct
dent of personal popularity decide. It does not
appear why one or another of these conclu-
sions could not be reached in caucus; and If so,
1t does not appear why the Dawes and Hoar
factions should entertain such holy horror of
a caucus. Neither of the opposing candidates
Con the Republican side) has majority of the
party vote, hence 1t cannot be said that either
Mr.. Dawes or Mr.. Hoar has it in his power to
control the caucus. The scattering" men will
hold the balance of power in caucus as well as
in the Legislature. Why not, then, submit the
question to caucus decision7 But, say the Hoar
partisans, elf Mr.. Dawes should be elected 1t
would be the success of General Butlerp And
the Dawes partisans refuse to 60 into caucus,
"because," they say, "our candidate will
be defeated on the ground that General Butler
is his friend |" The contest is thus reduced to
the lame and impotent conclusion of mere per-
sonal partisanship. Principles are forgotten,
Republican party obligations, rendered sacred
by long line of grand achievements, are dis
regarded, and excitement and passion rule the
hour. Meantime the Democratic party, In
different whether it shall be Curtis for whom
its votes are cast, or Adams for whom it will
hasten to cast its votes In the event of probable
success, bides it time. Cunning and watchful,
its leaders ply every trick of politics to pro-
mote the reign of faction in the ranks of their
and use skillfuliy the personal feuds,
the personal partisanship, and the ignoble pas
sions that have been aroused among the fol-
lowers Of Dawes and Hoar, to prolong and en-
bitter the foolish contest. The Republican
party of Massachusetts, is degraded by the IN
seemly dispute of its members, and the old
itself is belittled by per-
sonal wrangle between the partisans of Its most
men.