The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-26
Vice President Wilson and the re-
publican Party.

ance of the struggle between Grantsm and
republicanism with a view to the next Presi-
dental election. Vice President Wilson has.
perhaps, better title than any statesman
now in public life to speak for the republican
party as it was originally organized He is
the only surviving representative in high
official station Of the political leaders under
whose guidance that great party was formed,
was nursed into victorious strength and put
in control of the government in the most mo-
montous crisis of our history. All its other
trusted guides have either gone to their final
rest or live in seclusion from public affairs.
Considering that less than fifteen years have
elapsed since the republican party came into
power death has made a saddening havoc IN
the ranks Of its eminent statesmen. Lincoln,
Seward, Chase, Sumner, Greeley Fessenden,
Hale have been called away, and, with the
exception of Seward, at period of life whom
their years might still have given promise of
long usefulness. With the exception of
Seward none of them could be considered
n very old man it he were living to-day.
Wilson is the only surviving leader who ranks
III VIC bNLuS SiuSS, dIA III dSo liz woo OhO
senior of most of them. Wade and Trumbull
survive-Wade, superannuated political
soldier, who has received an honorable dis
charge, and Trumbull, discredlted member
of the party since his vote on the impeach-
ment Of Andrew Johnson and his participa-
ton in the Greeley campaign Mr.. Wilson is
the sole survivor of the active men that built
up the party who maintains his standing in it
and holds high official position by its gift
There is no statesman to whose advice the
great body of the party should listen with so
much Difference.
On the exculpntory parts of the Vice Presi-
dent S letter we do not care to comment further
than to say that he dignifies his cavling critics
too much by deigning to reply to them. When
these sycophants of Grant distort journey I'M
dertaken for health by the advice of his phy-
stefan into an electioneering tour q disdain-
full silence would have been in better
keeping. He does them too much honor in
descending to notice their malignant thrusts;
but if a reply was to be made at al, that
which he has condescended to publish is
appropriate by its simplicity and candor.
Like considerate gentleman he. visited a
predecessor in the important Office he holds
when he lay on his deathbed, an act creditable
TO his humanity. During fours years of Mr..
Wilson's long service in the Senate Mr..
Breckenridge had been its presiding officer;
and whatever may have been Breckinridge's
political mistakes (for which he dearly paid,
II 4 -. n &c
dignity, courtesy and propriety in the dis
charge of his official duties as Vice President.
A visit of his successor in that Office to his
deathbed required no apology, and the servile
editor who arraigned him for this generous
act deserves to be ostracized from the society
of honorable men. Just as little was an
apology necessary for courteous attentions to
Mrs. Jefferson Davis. Mrs. Davis is a lady of
rare social culture and accomplishments. Mr..
Wilson had long been associated with her
husband in the business and debates of the
Senate; he had been accustomed to meet her
in the Inequalities of Washington society in
her happier days, and he would have shown
himself vulgar churl if he had snubbed o
lady OF culture and breeding IN her misfor-
tunes. We only regret that Vice President
Wilson did not scorn and despise such un-
manly accusations and treat them with silent
contempt. He could equally have afforded TO
despise the charge that the Southern trip for
the benefit Of his health was undertaken from
ambitious political motives. lie made no po-
lit;cal speeches, and the generous sentiments
h. uoI t,sv ri Ia Southern tanYla Ii
equal credit to his character as o patriot and a
man. If he can be instrumental in restoring
fraternal feeling it is noble and praise
worthy service. There is no source from
which kindness to the South could have
more healing and salutary effect than from
one of the most jealous Of the original foun-
ders OF the republican party, who holds the
second place in the government OF the Union.
No wiser advice could be given 10 the re-
publican party than that rendered by Vice
President Wilson in his recent letter. He
wells il under the forms Of courtesy which
the Office he holds does not permit him to
violate; but its essence Is to repudiate Grant
ism and rccur to the original principles of the
party. Many Of its most worthy and con-
scientious members have been driven away in
disgust because they cannot reconcile them
selves to the selfish policy of an upstart like
Grant, who was never a republican until he
saw a chance of being the successful candidate
Of tie party for the Presidency. Mr.. Wilson
would strengthen the party by calling tho
wanderers back. lie would repair the con-
sequences of Grants recent blunders. He
would welcome into the ranks the true
and tried republicans who supported the
Greeley movement, and would adopt their idea
of shaking hands across the bloody chasm
While protecting the freedmen in their rights
he would encourage and conciliate the white
citizens Of the South and make them feel that
they arc welcomed to their equal standing as
citizens Of the Republic It's only on this
basis, or on one like this, that the republican
y,artv cau have anv reasonable hopc IF carry.