New-York tribune., 1874-12-29
"BUT. SUPPOSE"

Tn spite of the claims of the provincial or
gans to monopoly of the Senatorial discus
sion, the press generally pays no heed to their
Glands Off, but takes hand in the canvass,
no matter in what State or by what party the
Senators are to be chosen. The managing men
of the dominant parties in the several States
which are shortly to elect Senators are over
whelmed with advice from outsiders; but it is
due the truth to say that the outside advice Is
by far more sensible and shrewd than tho
inside counsels. Your State Committees and
party leaders and influential members of the
Legislature, who are busy making arrange
ments and laying plans and who are so lmpa-
tient of outside interference, are too much in
the muddle of petty politics, too much affected
by small local, and still smaller personal,
considerations, to be able to survey the whole
field and act wisely with reference to interests
that are larger than the State, and reach fur
ther than to-day. They who stand off from
the dust of the tussle have opportunities for
clearer view of the ends sought, and safer
Judgment of the means by which they may be
attained. But it is entirely natural that tho
small circle of politicians who, in the several
States, are quarreling over what they are
pleased to consider spois, should be jealous
of any interference. The question on the in
side is, "Who shall have it 7" on tho outside,
"What will he do with it ~ One is question
of politics, the other OF government.
Without taking it upon ourselves to advise
the gentlemen who are 80 impatient of ad-
vice, we beg leave to indulge only in one or
two suppositions. And these we offer not to
the parties Immediately concerned, but to all
the impartial outside world. Hero are Mis-
souri, and Pennsylvania. for instance, both
having Democratic Legislatures, which are to
choose United States Senators. The chances
are that each of them will take the view that
the Senatorship is part Of the spoils of vic.
tory, and that each will dispose of it to some
thick -and-thin partisan. But suppose they
should not In Missouri, the Democrats, who
are in a majority in the Legislature, have
doubtless read with something like amusement
the articles which have appeared in great
many Newspapers OF both parties and of
the Independent press outside the State.
urging the reelection of Senator Schurz.
It probably strikes them as very
absurd proposal to give their best Office
to a gentleman who did not vote their
ticket. They do not see as all the world out
side the tangle of Missouri politics sees, that
Mr.. Schurz is one Of the ablest and most up
right statesmen in the country; that he is 80
thoroughly Independent that no party can
claim him. that tho choice of such man
would not so much honor him as the party
which should elect him, and that they could
do their State and country no better service
than to return him. The men who will choose
Senator Schurz's successor consider nothing
but that they have had party triumph, and
that here is six-years' seat in the Senate to
give to somebody who helped win it. But
supposc-and we address the suppostion to
the outside wOrld-suppOse the Democrats of
Missouri should take moments thought of
the effect upon the country of the reelection
of Mr. Schurz; and suppose they should re-
turn him. Somebody would lose an Office.
But how would the Democratic party stand
with reference to the next Presidential cleo
ton Could the party do anything which
would lift it up 80 much III the public esteem
anything that would 50 strengthen it for 1876
But of course they don't think of that i'll
Missouri.
Or, take Pennsylvania. 1t seems probable
that the Democratic Legislature of that State
will choose either jeremiah S. Black or Will
liam A. Wallace to be Senator Both are cx
treme partisans and neither of them is such a
statesman as tho great State of Pennsylvania
ought 10 DO represented by In the United