The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-13
sTRAWs.

AS btlNWh SHOW WINCH WHY INC VIM
blows so the acts and utterances of a GER
tain class of public men may be taken as
pretty sure induces of public opinion. We
have never regarded Reuben f. Fenton as
vesy much of a statesman or an cXtraordi-
narily honest politician, but. the rather, as
one of that class of men v no shape their
course so as, If possible, TO DRIFT along with
public opinion rather than as guided by
principle. Three years ago, he abandoned
the republican party, and although the de-
feat for which he looked came not imme-
diately, yet be had but snuffed the battle
from afar aud, last year, found him sided
with the majority. Again, as u careful
observer, he sees the tendency of current
events and once more renews his allegiance
to the republican party. In view of the
coming elections, he has written letter to
the chairman of the New York republican
state committee wherein, claiming that he
left the party from principle as many liber-
ais unquestionaby did, and truly stating
that it has become ''liberalized," he Gays
that all the indications point to the su-
premacy of unworthy sway" in!the dem
ocratic party and ''tend TO repel the hopes
g which might otherwise center in it,, that
its "spirt and tendency" whenever seem
ingly possessed of assured power, have
again and again disappointed independent
r;tizens and that, the principles Of the re-
OF lndepenuon'-"ino in harmony with those
give his support to the repujA a duty to
dates trusting that the advanced posi-
tion," now occupied by the party will
lead to 'psrmanent progress and reform"
Another one of these political straws il
General Z. A. Merritt, the republican tcan
didate for state treasurer of New York
not go much on account Of his present pc
litical utilization, his candidacy may ac
count for that, as for his public utterances
He says. and probably truly, that seventy
five per cent Of the liberals will support tn,
republican ticket that the tendencies o.
the republican party which brought thu
liberals INTO existence have disappeared
and that the liberal movement has done
good work in the influence it has haC
upon the democratic partJ, if in no othei
way but that the republican party
promises far better things for the coun
try and the government than any oppo
60 nent it has, or is likely to have in thu
I" immediate future" We take it that il
pretty considerable of straw Thre,
years ago the liberals supported the dem
ocracy before their movement had hat
such beneficial effect upon them, bu
now, after all this influence has been ex
erted and to such an extent as to be called
"a good work, there is a promise of bet
ter things for the government and thu
country in the republican organization
than, even, from this influenced democratic
party with its Birds and Sanborns, it
Cochranes, Bigelows and Littleiohns.
confession of mistake three years ago, ant
certain sign of returning reason.
We doubt not that the honest liberal
have been disappointed in the spirit ant
tendency of the influenced democracy, ant
as they return to the old fold their CAM
followers will be found in their wake
These straws show the way the wind blow
and indicate reunited republican party
Conceding the honesty of Fenton's senti
ments-and we must confess there is mucl
of truth in his statement of facts-it equal
ly affords an index of the drift of publ,
opinion-a sure straw showing that tn
honest sentiment of the country is becom
ing awakened to the necessity of support
ing the republican party. Other straws ar
found in the attitude of Carl Schurz il
Ohio, and in the declination of William +
Bartlett of the democratic nomination TO
lieutenant governor of Massachusetts
These men have taken their position, no
because they desire to be with the crowd
but because they honestly believe the senti
ment expressed by General Merritt that tn
republican party promises far bette
things for the country and the govern
mcnt than any opponent it has, or i
likely to have in the immediate future,
and they being opponents OF the better, tn
honest, sentiment of the country surely in
dictates the continued success of the repub
lican party-if not now, then in the imme
diate future, for the honest sentiment o
the country is sure to prevail.
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