New-York tribune., 1875-12-11
4 CRITICAL POSITION.

4 few months ago it seemed folly to suppose
that the Republican party could elect the next
President. Then came the victories and gains
of October and November, and the prospect
that Mr.. Randall would be elected Speaker, and
then sensible Democrats freely admitted that
they had little hope-that the Democratic party
was on the point of throwing away It's last
chance But Mr.. Randall was defeated; the
best clements in the Democratic party TIL
umphed in the election of MIR. Kerr; ana the
President showed in his message a determina-
tion to seek Il third term even ut the cost OF
exciting in tins country warfare OF religious
creeds Swiftly public opinion has changed.
Democracy has gained greatly by the election
OF Mr.. Kerr, and Rcpubcanlsm has lost very
much by the increased apprehension OF thlrd
term, and by public disgust at the attempt to
use religious convictions as the mere tools OF
personal ambition and partisanship. There
are many thousand Republicans who would
refuse TO vote for that party to-day, though
they did vote for it last Fall. They fear De-
mocracy less, and Grantism much more.
There are many thousand Democrats who
were on the point of breaking from that
party during or after the Fall campaigns, than
whom it has to-day no more hopeful and zeal
GUS supporters. They fear initiation no longer,
and detest Grant utterly. These changes OF
feeling show how far many voters have been
emancirated from blind servitude to party,
and indicate plainly that any blunder may be
fatal to either side.
For the Republicans, the situation is espe-
ciallv critical. The President, the nominal head
of the party, is a source of more danger to it
than all its foes. Anxiety for reelection has
prompted him to give ill-timed and unnatural
prominence to a question which every right
thinking citizen wishes to see kept out OF the
strife of parties. During the campaign in Ohio
we warned the Republicans that ii they so
treated that question rs to seem willing to
stir IIp religious strife for the sake OF partisan
success the reaction would be fatal to them,
but at that time there was some real occasion
for public feeling. Now those who love the
school system most know that it is in no present
danger. The people have shown that they
are ready to defend it when assailed. More
over such an amendment as Mr.. Blaine has
proposed can be submitted to the people, and
will become part OF the supreme law if rati-
fed by the requisite number of States, whether
the next President happens to be Republican
or a Democrat. Thus, whether the danger be
great or small, it is mischievous and imperti-
nent to drag that question into Presidential
contest but this is precisely what readers will
generally conclude that the President in-
tended. If the Republican party fol-
lows his lead, and seems to be try
ing to make political capital by foment-
ing religions artagonism, 1t may expect
fearful reaction. Voters are not in the
humor to be cheated. They demand practical
reforms, genuine work for the real interests
of the country, honest precautions against real
dangers and are ready to give either party
full credit for such work. But those may well
beware who try to win by mere trlckery and
demagogism, without reform, without de-
cency of behavior or craftsmanship. The
Democrats were shrewd enough to see that it
would not be safe to tri1e with public opinion
in the choice of Speaker. What will the
Republicans dot
Again, that party has been doing some ex-
celent work 1t has defeated imitation, and is
convicting and Furnishing thieves, and Its only
chance of success is in doing still more work
of the same sort. The President has earned
full share of credit hitherto by heartily sus-
tanning the prosecution of all offenders. But
now the accusation comes home to his own
official household, and Gen. BabcOck has been
indicted, while there are rumOrs that others
near him may be implicated by the investiga-
tions at Chicago. His position becomes exceed
ingly delicate, and his well-knOwn tenacity In
cinging to personal associates becomes
dangerous " his party. Grave fears are