New-York tribune., 1875-11-16
SUtLL REFORM BE ENCOURIGEDf

Some of the very Worthiest and best Repub-
Tcan journals have intimated that Gov. 1ilden
and his supporlers should not be encouraged,
because mingled with their desire for reform
as tax-paycrs and good citizens is desire TO
promote the success of party. Well, sup
nose that if is so. Is Secretary Bristow abs0-
utely Indifferent as to the success OF the
Republican party' Probably not He Is
sturdily pushing grand reforms. and there Is
every reason to believe that he would do the
very same thing if he had neither personal
nor n partisan motive for effort. Bu. Dem
ocrat NAV say, probably with truth, that Sec
retary Bristow is not unmindiul of the fact
that vigorous reforms will tend 10 strengthen
the Republican party, and his own chances for
the Presidency. Grant it then; Is that any
reason why Democrats should not sustain and
encourage him Must Democratic Congress
strive to thwart his efforts, to prevent their
success. and to prefer IA triumph OF whisky
thieves to a victory of justice from which
Republican may reap advantage Is 1t not
plain that if this spirit were to prevail, no
progress toward better government could ever
be Accomplishment
Yet this is precisely the spirit in which many
citizens who certainly wish pure government
have treated the efforts of Gov. Tilden for re-
form in this State. He is a shrcwd partisan,
they say. and knows that reforms will help his
marty. Therefore these Republicans insist
that hia reform must be arrested, and
their reform, which as yet Is only III
promise and not in performance, must
bc preferred. 1t seems TO them very sad
thing that the voters of New-York did not
condemn "Tilden's reform" by elccting the. Re-
publican State ticket. and very fortunate
thing that power was given to a Republican
Legislature to impede, hamper and en-
barrass "TiIdcn's reform" if it chooses.
Would it he good thing. would
il even be decent or honorable, II
thc Democratic House of Representatives
should undertake to impede Or embarrass
Bristow's reform ~ Would not the very
same Republicans, the more sincere and patr-
oic men of that party, cry out most indig-
nantly? Would they not say, with perfect
truth. that it was an infamous sacrliice OF the
public good TO mere pariisanship TO hinder a
great work of reform because it might
strengthen an opposing party ?
| He who honestly desires better government
should see. that it cannot he reached by attack
ing any man who is doing genuine work to
| that end The question of motives is imperti-
nent. If the work is really for the public
| good it deserves support. No great achieve
/ ment in politics has ever been accomplished
without the aid of selfish interest, in some
degree Human beings, n a general rule, act
| from mixed motives. Those are compare
| lively few who devote themselves with
absolute unsclfshness to the public good.
| This is the inevitable condition of all practical
work for reform where tie majority rule. Is
| it wise, is it even right, for any WHO sincerely
desire reform, to resist or discrcdit any eilec-
/ tive effort in that direction 10y political Oppo-
nents! The true course. We believe, is TO sus-
! tain and encourage any and every man of
either party who works for the public good.
| Hence We heartily rejoice that honest work by
Gov Tilden has been sustained by the people
of New-York and that honest work by Re-
publican leaders for purifcaton of the public
service has not been discouraged by Republic
can defeats as sweeping rs those of last year.
Neither party is of any consequence, except As
it serves the public welfare.