New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-10
4 REyOLU7YON. And IT'S CAUSE.

4 REVOLUTION. md ITS CAUSE.
Sixty days ago the prospect for Republicans
was more gloomy than it had been at any
time since the organization OF that party. AT
IFS first effort more than twenty years ago,
the Republican party carried more States, and
elected more members of Congress, than in the
disastrous year 1874, nor was its power so
greatly reduced during the most dismal years
OF the war, nor at any period in the work
of reconstruction. Beaten thus in 1874, il had
seen no symptoms of improvement IN the
earlier elections Of this year. Connect
cut and North Carolina, California and
Maine, had proved that the public distrust OF
the Republican party, as the mere tool
of Grant,sm, had by no means abated.
Republican conventions bad recognized the
strength OF these feelings, and sought to allay
them 10y emphatic declarations against the re-
election of the President but there was rs yet
10 evidence that these assurances would he ac-
cepted as sincere or satisfactory by pablo
opinion. An attempt had been made to carry
Ohio by use of TIE school question, hut 1t
had so far failed that leading Rcpub-
Ecans OF that State believed that Allen
would be elected. Imitation had shown great
power had drawn off thousands of Repubi-
can votes; had aroused the enthusiasm of
Democrats to the utmost, and had not yet been
met maniully and energetically by Republi-
cans. There was every prospect that the I'M
pending Republican defeat in Ohio would be
followed by defeat in Pennsylvania, for Ill
that State the Republicans had shown still less
courage and fidelity to sound principles.
About three weeks before the October cleo
lions, the Republicans of Ohio resolved to fol-
low the aggressive policy which had from the
first been pursued by the Liberals, and by
Judge Taft and some other Republican lead
era. Senator Molton's policy of evading the
financial issue, waving the bloody shirt,
and exaggcraing the danger to the
scboo, system. was definitely abandoned.
The ablcst speeches for hard money were
printed and circulated by the hundred thou
sand. Senator Schurz, arriving from Europe,
was promptly invited; Gov. W0OdfOrd. Col.
Grosvenor, and other advocates of sound cur
rency. were sent into those mining and manu-
featuring regions where initiation had made
the largest gains; and Republican speakers
and Journals all over the State were urged TO
meet that issue boldly, and treat it a. the one
of chief IMPORTANCE 4 reaction was instantly
nr.cciyed. Where the Democrats lad gained
most .hey began to lose rapidly. HeSituing
Kepubicans ,.ere aroused. Independents who
had been almost indh, rem became active and
jealous, and were joined by some hard-money
Democrats like Mr.. lartcr of Mansfield. From
hat time tie Republicans gained. and the re-
silt WAS a victO.y in OHIO, and in Pcnnsyiya-
MIA also.
The Off .ial returns show how narrowly the
Republicans escaped another crushing defeat.
I'm Ohio their plurality was but 1913, which
WAS unquestonably gained by the change OF
poiicy within the last three weeks of
the canvass. In Pcnneylyania their
pirrality il only 1875, and there can
be no do.bt that a defeat in OHIO would have
cost them thousands of votes, au1 resulted in
The election Of Pershing. In massachusetts the
Republican plurality is only 5,277. and had
not many Independents been Won to
sympathy 10y the manly attitude taken
by Republicans in Ohio, while feat
discouraged tho Democrats, il Is plain that
even Massachusetts would not have been re-
covered 10y the Republican party. Ii Is still
more evident that in Wisconsin, where the
Cepabican majority is very small, while
the Independent vote il large and lc>o-
luto the result was changed by the hon
orablo position taken aud the cheering
victory achieved in Ohio. Here are four States
IN which the Republicans have bare plurality
of only about $1,000 and Vt those States
have "a electoral votes. To-day, the Repubi-
can prospects are bright. Ii is everywhere
perceived that if that party is wise it may
eject the next President. Yet all this marvel
ois change was caused by the manly courage
and fidelity to the interests of the country
shown in single State at Il critical moment.
The lesson which these event, teach Is so
plain that il can hardly be Misunderstood, even
NV the binjest partisan. The Republican party
has one chlncc of success or continued exist
ence Evasion, paltering and temporizing viii
he fatal. The continued leadership of men
who have brought it 10 defeat, and 80 nearly
TO ruin, will be fatal. Brlve devotion
10 principle will win. The party must face
he responsibilities which power brings. 1t
must cast aside the men who have led it
lstray II must demand the aid and welcome
the leadership of the very men whose fidelity
to convictions of duty has made them hostile