Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-07-18
WILMINGTON. DEL. JULY IS. 1874
The Republican Party a Failure.

We publish the following editorial from lead
ing Journal in proof OF the fact no longer to be
concealed or denied that the Republican party
has proved an utter failure. its failure is due,
we believe, to New England Radicals aud the
halfcrszy abolitonists, who by violence and
threats overawed the best talent of the Old Wing
party and those OF the Democratic party who
were unfortunately drawn into the ranks OF their
real enemies.
The whole thirteen years during which the
Republicans have had the entire control oi the
government aud nearly oil Of the State govern
msnts beside, has not enabled the Radicals 10
produce a single statesman equal to the emer-
gency, and the artice we quote simply asserts
what the times prove.
One of the purtst and most venerable men in
the State remarked 10 MS many years ago that
the war was "due entirely to the " ant Of States
manship in Seward and Lincoln :" and subse-
quent events not only prove this correct bat es-
tablish the fact that Rsdcalism is incompatible
with republican government, aud hence the i'm.
possibility TO rear statesmen 10 spply Radicasm
to country SO diversified in sentiment, climate
and industrial pursuits as ours.
The government wa, formed 10y compromise
and cone and the larger aud more popnlous
II grows the greater is The need for the applica-
tIon Of these saving principles. The very ele-
meut OF statesmanship is embI aced In them and
tie greatest statetman is he who can by the arts
Of diplomacy enable his country 10 honorably
escape the terrois ol wal and boodshed. He Is
less than savage who will require more oi his
own eountrymen than Of foreign eneIny-and
there Is no greater fool than lie who viii not
agree to avoid fight in which the struggle Is
doubtful, until he himself is beaten TO the extent
that he is compelled 10 call in bis enemies or
spend bic fortune in brlbing the household OF his
Toe to turn traitor;
"anted-Practlca Statesmen.
The great heed Of the the country to-day is
practical statesmanship. We have plenty ol men
who make politics business, aud who have given
u certain amount of time aud application to the
study OF political economy But We have very
lew practical statesmen
That government is . science ie a proposition
beyond dispute. That study OF lts theory Is ne
cessary in those who would participate in the ad
Ininistraton of national affairs requires NO demon.
straton. But something more than mere theoriz.
lng is required II We are 10 have such legislation
as shall continuously promote the prosperity and
happiness of the people. Understanding OF the
general principles OF political economy is impor-
tant, but unless there is also sufficient knowledge
Of the actual needs OF the community thers can
be no successful application oil the general princ
pies. Ignorance Of the precise character of the
evils sought - be rtnedied, OF the advantages |
that should be extended can never be compensated
for by familiarity, no matter how intimate with |
the laws upon which all legislation should be |
based. II is all very well to be deeply read IN |
the lore of the Schools but this reading wil be
useless for all practical purposes unless 1t is ac
companied by actual experience IN the busy
world. Just as . man may learn from books
how an entricate piece of machinery can work,
aud yet be utterly unable 10 run il himself, SO
person may thoroughly understand the science of
government, and yet be unable, for want Of ac
quantance with the real active business OF eoun-
Try, to govern wisely.
We are far from saying that we have even a
class OF med in our governing bodies who might |
be considered theoretical statesmen. 1t is unfor-
tunately too true that we have very lew such |
men. Those to whom our legislation is entrusted |
are for the most part mere hucksterng politicians.
They have neither the acquaintance with the |
requirements OF the country, nor with the pfin
cpIes upon which those wants should be minis |
tered 10. They have simply acquired few |
ideas upon certain party issues. and have by dint
OF long and persistant service in the gross inter-
ests Of party gained certain influence with the |
organization 10 which they belong. In the vary |
ing tactics charactsrizing the never-ceasing war
fare between the 'ins" and the 'outs" they have |
become proficient, and, as consequence, year |
after year they arc returned to legislative halls
With such men forming the majority in our /
governing bodies is il any wonder that legislation
should be as bad as il isf Rather, is 1t not a |
wonder that it is not worse Does it not seem |
as though there were with US as with "poor Jack"
a providence sitting up aloft that takes care Of |
usr Does not the fact that the country prospers.
despite all the injurious law-making, offer strik-
ing testimony 10 the marvellous wealth OF oar
natural resources and the inherent energy of the
peoplef
But are We to 10 on forever taxing our resour.
ces and energy thus needlesslyT Is it not high
time that change for the better were inaug guraied
I hat We should send to Congress, for example, a
class Of men better calculated TO advance by their
iaW-maklng the hest interests OF the country |
There are plenty of practical business men who
would ceme forward, and would serve the nation
TO its advantage were q disposition manifested to
disodge the hords OF professional politicians, who,
by their ignorant blundering, have been sapping
the vitala of the nation. better illustration OF
The evil effects Of entrusting such hucksters to
make our laws could not be found than was pre-
sented by the waste of the recent session of Con-
gress. Shall We not seek TO promote q change in
the coming fall I The times are ripe ior reform
in this direction. The country needs this reform
more than anything else. 1t rests only with the
people whether it shall he brought about. They
have the power to replace mere politicians with |
sound practical legislators. Will they do hf
Having thus acknowledged their inability 10
govern the country by thus advertising for States.
men, let the Radical party stand aside and The
Democratic party take its proper place and We
viii assert there will be saving OF fifty TO one
hundred millions OF dollars a year and the debt |
reduced that much or the people relieved of
'aYes TO that extent
The DUMMY MKMBRRs OF CoSGREss
surlous fact that many Of the names of men that