New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-01

licans, who think that affairs ought TO be managed
no "A not To add to the dscredi of the Republican
party. aud that it ought to have at least chance
TO recuperat; and who. above all, hold that IL Is
disgrace that affairs in the South are not alnlnis-
tered ia the interest of peace, stability and honest
government instead of for the purpose OF adyanc-
ing party objects and personal ambition at the ex-
pense OF the quiet and prosperity of the country
These views are very reasonable ana sensible, 10
be sure, but the difficulty il that they are out OF
season. 1t il like casting about for anchOring
ground after the ship is on the rocks.
The Reform Republicans of 1872 saw then what
tho main body of that organization are only be-
ginning to see now. They have passed through
their of anxiety and notification, and con
domination of the base uses 10 winch the noble old
party was put by the prOmscuOus crowd that took
it in charge for selfish and venal purposes soon
after Gen. Grants election in S68-a crowd that has
been daily growing more promiscuous since, until
now the present piebad and pudding-stOne organ
zation, if it could be mirrored as 10 actually exists,
with all its debaucheres and excuses imprinted on
Its front, would never DO mistaken by any one for
that compact vigorous healthy, conscientious body
whose name it has appropriated and whose char
aeter it has disgraced. In 1872 it was plain
enough 10 everybody who wished to see,
that that was the time to reform, and an
Convention to do it, and to do it by Republican
agencies and under conservative auspices of an
unquestionabe character. Bat tho offer was de-
clined and the opportunity was lost Such men as
ChiefJustice Chase. Charles Francis Adams. Charles
Sumner, Horace Greeley. Carl Schurz Lyman Trum-
bull and others from the front ranks Of early Re-
publicansm, pointed ont the way and urged the
effort but. as the event proved to purpose. It was
not their fault, therefore, nor was 1T the fault of
those who went with them, that the Republican
party of to-day is not Reform party, composed of
the best men Of all sides, and standing firm and res
olute in its probity. commanding success AMI defy
ing destruction, instead of being what it is-tbe
representative of every immoral element of our pol
tics, and condemned Oh every hand by the votes of
the people.
Why should the Reformers of 1872 be anxious now;
and how can they sym pathiza with those who think
the old party might be and ought to be reconstructed
by recall of those WAC have left its ranks, who
mourn over its declension and the coming loss Of it's
power and who, above all. lament and deprecate the
coming reign Of dtriumphin2 D5mocracyf Whao can
the Reforners of 1872 say but this " Gentlemen,
YOU scorned counscs, yOa denounced our objects,
you derded our methods, and thus you have only
yourselves to blame for what has come upon you,
and for what impends. You would not accept the
only possible reform which proposed by the con-
sentative Republican agencies of that period, and
now behold the consequences We proposed q gentle
medicine TO ciIe an incpent disorder aud thus save
the patient by timely remedy Refusing this sug-
geston. you have willfully allowed the disease To
spread until it has become incaraOle. Instead OF
cured and reJuvenated party you have got diseased
aud dying one. lis too late to apply remedies We
could not now help yon If we would. The reform
and salvation which were possible in 1872 were i'm
possible in 1874 and will bo impossible in 1885,"
The case now seems TO admit only of this state
ment and the following treatment. Those still IN
the Republican ranks and those who have with
drawn who seek reform and honest government,
can do much to shape the revolution IN progress
They can do it by co0peration and they can do 1t by
declining to act exec 1T by yielding withholding
approval as OCCASION and circumstances seem to re-
qnire IL should be remembered that the revolution
IN progrcsS cannot be cOnsummated except by the
consent of Republicans The knowledge Of this Will
inevitably temper lis quality. The new Democratic
u,rse of REPRESENTATIVES. at Washington will be
obliged to remember this or its power begin to
Hanc from The first day of its exercise. Aud SO 1t
win be In OugACut the country. II ought to be tho
business Of conservative and reform Republicans
everywhere to man this particular brake. 1t is
higl standard OF action both for the voter and the
representatives and firm and j1dicious exercise OF
the power will give rs q reformed government. If
it will not il is fur TO conclude that no other course
will. The nation is seeing the deeterous effect OF
radical plrti ansD in The present state of afllrs,
anI the last tnng it wants is the same kind Of eXhi-
bition on the other side. The nation mast have u
balancc-whcr to prevent such dangerous oscillation
II is fine p,cp.lar bu tne3s Of the Reform Il publ
cans To furnish il. Til. can and snOIld do so.
II j. culy to follow the ordinary course OF politics
in all governments. Of which ours has furnished
ccnsIIcuOIs examples and notably III the formal
upl " re present republican party Parties that
have failed in skill or honesty have been destroyed
by srcr,sjJ 5 from their ranks, and other parties
have b,cn created or left to trum1h by the Sc
ce,lcrs This Is the case in England to-day. The
United States are following their example. Mr..
y rIcl mas declared since last Angus that he and
ms parry have conc INTO power, not because they
were wanted. but because the English people were
IrtaImi eel tJ nave chang. The conditions mere
ne similar, and likely to produce similar results.
itcfITncls await the unfolding III tao historic
panorama viii eremty and confidence. J. 3. p