The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-15
Henry Wilson ON the situation.

Henry Wilson on the situation.
The Vice President is very much alarmed
at the condition and the prospects OF the
Republican party. rs indeed he well may
be, with twenty of the thirty -scyen states,
most of them heretofore Republican, in
the hands of the Opposition, and the pro-
liability that Others will soon he added to
the imposing column. In addition to this
mighty array of strength, the House of
Representatives is Democratic by large
majority. and now controls the Presi-
dency, if by any contingency an election
by the people should fail.
These stern facts. and the drift of public
opinion against Gruntism. are indeed cal
culated TO excite the fears of leaders who
have had full swing Tor fifteen years who
have made political power subservient to
personal interest, and who ut last are be-
ginning to rouse up from long debauch,
only to realize that the party is doomed
and their days in Office are numbered.
HENRY WILSON. rs n shrewd and practical
politician, has deciphered the handwriting
on the wall and now seeks TO avert the
impending catastrophe. But il is too late
In answer to an Invitation to attend n
conference of leading Massachusetts Re
publcans TO consider their duties i'm the
coming election" Mr.. WILSON has written
letter, which is almost wall of political
despair for the future. He mildly admits
that mistakes have been made in the
State and in the nation" and that "some
men intrusted with official position have
proved themselves unworthy" These be
gentle words for the crimes corruption,
and outrages, against which the people
have revolted North and South East and
West, with a united voice of Indignation.
Mistakes are pardonable, since TO err
is human. If the Republican party had
nothing else to answer for but the common
blunders of ignorance or incapacity, and a
few bad appointments to office, there
would have been no revolution and no
sufficient cause for one. The country
could never have been stirred to the
depths, rs ii now is 10y ordinary errors Of
administration. And surely Massachusetts,,
which tolerated BUTLER, boutwell,. RICH
ARDsoN, and Others, in Congress and in the
Cabinet, would not have relapscd from her
Republican faith and sevcnty-hve thousand
majority, to which the Vice President
pathetically refers for mere trliles.
The causes which have destroyed all
confidence in the Republican party and
which doom it to overthrow aud extlnc-
ton, lie far deeper than these surface ind-
cations II has outlved its good name,
usefulness, and integrity. 1t is rotten from
core 10 circumference, and there is not
vitality enough left to save it, even if
there was the disposition for heroic
treatment. After fifteen years of con-
tnued rule and complete possession
of every branch of the Government,
legislative, executive, and judicial, this
party has brought the country to the
very verge of bankruptcy and ruin,
demoralized the whole public service,
spread corruption everywhere, encouraged
fraud, eXerted force for political ends
seized States and governed them rs satra-
pies, created Infamous Rings. squandered
and stolen the peoples money, sustained
huge monopolies by oppressive taxation
and struck at the liberty of the press fol
exposing such iniquities
The disease has become chronic. 1t has
grown into the system and cannot be OK.
tirpated. Mr.. WILSON recommends that
sits tried and trained leaders should be
brought TO the front again, and their wis
dom sought for counsel and guidance in
the effort to retrieve what has been lost
and TO restore the party TO its former pres
tige and power" These tried and trained
leaders are answerable for the utter dis
ruption Of the party. Their venal
dealings in Credit Mobilier, Pacific
Mail Memphis-Fl Paso, ana plumber.
ing Rings OF all kinds, have been partially
exposed by Investigations even with
packed committees; but the worst re-
mains 10 be told of them; and this can only
be fully revealed when the Opposition
come into power.
Mr.. WILSON tells his friends, "humar
rights have ever been the watohword and
inspiration, the guiding star ana dominnt
ing idea of the Republican party" and h,
advises them to take no step back ward
Human rights are in no danger in tn,
United states; and sentimental theories
VIII not answer TO meet the demand fol
hungry labor, stagnant trade, idle fac
tories, PROSTATE commerce, and starving
enterprise. II is like Offering ruflies to
man who has no shirt. II the Yiee-Presi