New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-16
THE OHIO ELECTION.

LETTER fkON HE HUN. r. w. bIkD.
Why AN oLD-TIME ADOLIIONisr AND HARD
MONEY NAN FAvORs THE SUCCESS or THs
DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN OHIO-ROOr-AsD
BRANCH REFORM NEEDED IN THE PUBLIC
SERVICE.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR In 1852 Horace Greeley adhered to the Wing
party and supported its candidates, but spat upon
the platform" Sooner later, all organizations
political otherwise. depart from their orig
inal purposes and principles and the question
presents itself to every conscientious adherent
" Can best reform the party by remaining inside,
or by attacking il from withoutiD Greeley decided
this question in one way Sumner in another. Who.
in the light of events, can condemn etherf hate
the phrase, choice between two evils" but are ws
not sometimes driven to it Greeley's argument
in 52 was that either Scott or Pierce would 10
elected and of the two he preferred Scott. Cannot
the editors of the journal founded by Horace
Greeley look charitably upon Judge Thurman IN
similar position forced to the same alternativef
But the Democratic party Of Ohio is committed 10
rag money and imitation. Judge Thurman will
swer-or rather, perhaps, would if were voter 1
Ohio-so is the Republican party; not in its pla
FORM perhaps but by ten years legislation in Con-
gress. With loud professions of fayoring an honest
currency it has enacted practical expansion and re-
pudiation Now, if Democratic victory in OHIO
means imitation, what will Republican victory
meant
1t seems TO me, Mr. Editor, that in giving such
prominence to the financial question in the Ohio
election you are lending the great influence of TnE
TRIBUNE to aid the corrupt leaders Of the Republican
party in keeping false issues before the country.
The great need Of the country is reform-not fnan-
cial reform solely mainly, but reform in all tho
departments OF government-from the White House
10 oil Am ref
plshed By change-clange in the White House.
change wherever Executive subordinates or Federal
oilice-holders of any grade give to party what was
meant for the country. hold with Senator Sumner.
in the extract happily quoted from Lord Durhams
letter to Brougham:
Among the foremost purposes ought be the downfall OF
tlas Odios insulting, degrading aide lecampisb. inca
pablo Dictatorship. At such crisis is the country TO 10
left at the mercy OF barrack counclaand messoon poll
tics
As Mr.. Greeley said in 1872, 1--WE need new set
of books at Washington" and need equally
new set of boolkeepers If there those who hope
to accomplish this reform within the Republican
party Heaven help their wits. If there those
who, having put their hand to the pillow in 1872.
now look back verify fear it proves that they are
not tit for the kingdom of God; if there are those
who believe that the control Of the Republican party
can be taken out of the hands of its corrupt leaders
and placed in the hands of its men OF ideas and
character-whO banlshed with Sumner or
silenced with WilsOn-their faith must be founded
on disregard of all the teachings of political his
tory.
What the country needs is northumberland reform
in the whole public service, and this can come only
from INVESTIGATIONS made without fear or favor, and
not from partisan Investigations which stop when-
ever the trail leads to the White House. For
nearly three years the party in power has been
to arfh fyl nd Or.
ruptions to which public opinion has forced their
attention. and as yet, only the surface has been
exposed. But can more honest administration bs
expected from the Democratic partyP Who
knows Resolutions Of State Conventions cannos
fairly be held to indicate the platform of National
party, In 1872 the National Democratic C0nyen-
ton adopted the following resolutions:
g. The public credit must be sacredy maintained ana
we icnounce reputation in every form and guise -.
O. speedy return to specie payments is demanded
alike by tho highest considerations OF con'hefc@
morality and honest government
These are tho last authentic utteranccs OF the
party and no local convention can change them. l
hold the party to those doctrines. agree that when
We remember how iamentably shamefully stupidity.
the Democratic party has failed to improve the
golden opportunities offered to il for the past twelve
years we can hardly set limit to the plumbers pos
siblo next year But this | think do know that,
admitting all that the bitterest opponents OF that
party affirm il is not bad enough smart enough in
four years of power to inaugurate such gigantic
system of fraud and pecuaon as is in full blast to-
day. and in tho hands of agents OF long and large
experience and practiccd skill.
| am hard-money man. Forty-odd years of BUSH
ness experience have taught that there is no safe
basis for currency but coin, stability for business
but in currency redeemable in coin that the pres
emf system is dsgraceful to the Government. dshon-
oring to the country and an ndescribable curse to
the business community, and especially to the labor
ing classes From the dOctrnaries who with their
little lanterns are seeking for the ideal statesman
for President expect nothing but failure Practl-
cal results are reached only by practical methods;
and regarding it as written in tho Book OF Fate that
the next President must be the nominee OF either the
Republican or the Democratic party, welcome tho
omens of Democratic success.
But if | am mistaken-if the folly and madness OF
the Democratic party in the past shall characterne
its policy in the future-then tine country VIII SUN
bear tho ills they have rather than fly TO otners
definitely threatened. Woe, then. TO the party ana
greater woes. alas to the country! +. W. BIRD
East Walpolc, Mass, Aug ID, 1879.
A HANDFUL OF IiERETlCS IN OlilO
From The BOSTON Post. -.
Secretary McCulloch in the course OF MS
last letter on public finances TO THE NHwfoRk IhBtSks