New-York tribune., 1875-09-13
lfp TIISON.S LETTER.
month.

Vice President Wilson, in letter to mem
bcr of the Republican State Committee or
Massachusetts. repeats the same advice 10 inc
party of which he has long been an honored
leader that he gave in his letter TO 1he
Boston Advertiser last June. lie cOnfesses
that he regards the position and prospects or
the Republican party with profound solicitude.
He believes that it cannot regain its lost
position except by a courageous reform OF
abuses. prompt removal of unfaithful or in
competent officials, and wide opening of its
doors to take back chose who once belonged
"to its ranks and who, for cause or without
"cause, have left it." The welcome of these
returning prodieals should be prompt and cor
dial. The party should go out to meet them.
"Surely the hour has come for all Massa-
" "chusetts'Rcpublcan to forgive, forget, and
"' unite"
Mr. Wilson's honest and kindly feelings and
patriotic purposes do great credit to bis heart
but we think he does not understand the sit
uation. He certainly does not understand the
position of tho independent voters, who have
refused to act with the Republican party, not
because they are dissatisfied with the distrlbu-
ton of offices or have any personal grievance,
but because they have seen the party commit
ted to the perpctuatiOn of abuses that threaten
the ruin of the country. They have no idea
of returning in the character of penitent prod
igals. They are not hanging around the door
of the Administration ready to rush in ms
soon as it is opened. When Mr.. Will
son advises his friends to forgive,
forget, and unite" we ask on our part what
is the ofIense which they are to take the lib
ety of forgving, and what they wish to Tor
get. Imagine Gen. Butler, Boss Shepherd,
Secretary DelanO, Gen. Babcock, Thomas Muir
phy, and Detective Hester standing at the
gates Of President Grants corral and saying
to the friends of Lincoln, Sumner, Chase, ana
Greeley Here, you men may come back, but
"you must not make any more disturbance
Mr.. Wilson is quite right in advising his
friends to dispace the corrupt and wrong
headed leaders who have brought the party
into such difficulties, and it will be a coed
plan to "open the doors " very wide indeed
10 that the great multitude of these people
can get out quietly and quickly without dong
any unnecessary damage. Bat ii is not worth
While to talk about Opening the doors for
any other purpose. A political party IL not a
church from which q member can be excom-
runicatcd for heresy or insubordlnaiion.
There is no authority either TO ex-
pel or admit. Whenever the Rcpub-
iican party makes better platform than its
opponent. nOminates a better ticket, and holds
ont more reasonable prospect OF reform,
those who left it three years ago VIII vote
with it again, asking nobodys leave, and not
caring a penny whether the politicians who
make living by holding Office and running
conventions are pleased with their company or
not. The independent voter does not want
office, does not want "recognition," does not
want forgiveness, and certainly does not pro-
pose to "shake hands and make it all np"
He demands a sound platform and reformed
Administration, and le will 60 wherever lie
thinks he is most likely to get them.