Litchfield enquirer., 1875-03-18

and such as these are the tendencies and influences which are massed behind the Democratic leaders, and it is to these, not to an ideal Democratic party, that the government of this country would be in- trusted in the event of Democratic suc- cess. IT .H
 But while there is scarcely one of the Republican leaders who commands the enthusiasm and confidence of the party, the voter can see over their shoulders the great mass of those who sustained the war, and who gladly approved the principles of reconstruction-a compact multitude of industrious and intelligent voters, trained to obey the law and to seek the remedy of all evils in the courts, and not by revolu- tion and intimidation and every form of lawlessness. And it is because the leaders have not responded to the convictiOnsand demands of this following that they have forfeited the party confidence, and have been deserted at the polls. The country is not in the party sense Democratic, yet it hesitates to sustain the RepublicaH par tY. The problem, then, is how to reunite the majority in the only organization which can hopefully contest the election with the Democrats. And there is but one way in which it can be done. To attempt the formation of new party, which would have no recruits from the Democrats, is mere suicide. Yet to push stolh1ly on in the couse which has been pursued for some time is destruction quite as sure.
 The policy of Republican recovery, then, is the nomination in 1876 of a candidate wholly free from any complicity with the policy which has alienated the sympathy and support of the country, and the adop- tion of platform which shall show a spirit of profound confidence in the prin- ciples of free constitutional government, and resolution to secure honest and economical admins stration by prompt re- turn to specie payment and judicious re. form of the system of the civil service. Such nomination and such a platform ! would be in themselves the evidence that malign counsels in the dominant party were abandoned, and that those who have been always Republican and who would still prefer to act with their old organiZa- tion might return with the old zeal and confidence. The Republican party, so re- newed, would elect President in 1876, for the real strength of the Democratic party to day is nothing but the fear that the late Republican course which has di
 vided the party can not be arrested. Once show that it can be and shall be, and the schism is healed.
 If this cannot be done, the Democrats will succeed in 1876. If it is to be done, every man who wishes it must begin to | work at once. The work Is to be done in the newspapers, in the primaries, and the conventions. If every leading Republican paper would say distinctly that it is in l fexibly opposed to the renomination of | General Grant, and for good reasons which | it should state, the work would be begun. The renomination of General Grant would dissolve the Republican party. He was supported, if not elected, in 1872 by the votes of those who sustained him as a choice of evils. It is unnecessary to say that that was not our position. But if he should be renominated, every intelligent Republican ill the country would know that it was not the fair and free express sion of the wish of the party, andall those voters of 1872 of whom we speak, with an l immense addition, would refuse to vote, or would sustain the Democratic candidate,
 or would vote for third man. The Re publican party, we repeat, would be dis 1 solved by the renomination of General Grant; and if we were asked whether, in view of the present condition of the South ern States, of the menace of the White League, and of possible civil confusion, he would not be sustained and elected, we say without hesitation that we believe the l country, by an immense majority, would prefer to take the risks of his defeat rath
 CT than of his election. The president has had it in his power for many months to do an immense service to his party and to the wishes of all patriotic men in the country
 by distinctly declaring that he would not accept renomination. His silence has furnished one of the most powerful argu-
 ments against the Force Bill, which he fa- vored. Every day that he has declined to answer has dealt blow at the party by encouraging the suspicion that he tolerat-
 ed the idea. And since, either because he does or does not entertain the thought,
 the President declines to declare himself,
 the Republican party must speak. Let it's press give no uncertain sound, and let ev- cry Republican State Convention of the year echo the resolution of the New Hamp- shire Republicans, that it is "unalterably opposed" to third term.
 | This, of course, is but removing an ob- struction. Every delegate to every conven- tion should be man whose views upon the tendencies which have brought the party into discredit should be clearly known, and his courage should also be ap- | proved. It is not enough to differ from the general tendency indicated by the Force Bill, and supported by those in Congress who do not command the respect of intelligent men; there must also be
 bravery enough to declare that difference audibly and with effect. Nothing has been more disaeartening during the late session than the timid silence of those who it was known did not approve the tendency of af- fairs. Before the adjournment let us hope that some adequate expression may be given to that dissent, some expression which shall be in the name of the party itself peremptory challenge to this ten dency, and a declaration that the party control and direction will be vigorously contested. For that is precisely what we propose, that, instead of trying to build a new vessel which cannot be finished ill time for the voyage, the old one be re- manned, and headed for the port of jus tice and liberty under the Constitution, which all Republicans profess to seek. Shall we say it can be done? But why not? The party is every where discontented and divided. It is the latter-day policy which has made it so. Yet mo republican, however protesting and dissatisfied, wishes the Democrats to succeed. Let us there fore change the policy and unite the par ty, for Republican union is victory in 1876.-Harper's Weekly, March 13.
 l One of our leading citizens was being shaved the other evening, when he notic-