New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-17
MASSACHUSETTS IND MR.. WILSON.


MASSACHUSETTS IND Mr.. UILSON.
The Liberal Republican State Committee Of
Massachusetts, has published an address which
is substantially reply to the recent letters of
Vice President Wilson. We print it in full
this morning, because it contains a great deal
of sound sense, and represents the sentiments
of the great majority of Independent voters
not only in Massachusetts, but in every other
State of the Union. Henry Wilson is almost
the only one of the strict Republican politicians
of the present day for whom they still cherish
sort of respect and regard. He was one OF the
honored leaders of the Republican party when
it was really the party of moral ideas ana
patriotic purposes, and though he has made
some false steps in his career and fO0llshly
exposed himself to injurious suspicion, no one
now questions the sincerity OF his polltical
professions, or doubts the integrity OF the
motives with which he has chung to the ola
organization in spite of all its biunders anu
crimes. He wanders about the country,
solitary old man, disked by his new asso-
ciates. and cut off from the companionship
of his old allies. Most of the great leaders by
whose side he fought in the war against
slavery have been taken away by death. The
survivors, with hardly an exception, have re-
pudiated the old organization as degenerate
and corrupt union Of the refuse OF the ancient
party. When Mr. Wilson entreats the friends
and followers of Lincoln, Sumner, Chase,
Trumbull, Greeley, Schurz, and the rest to
come back and save the Republican party,
which only three years ago cut them OH from
it's communion we must listen to him with
respect and answer him with kindness.
The first point is to consider whether the
Republicanism of 1875 is worth saving. The
issues of ten years ago are all closed. The
purposes for which the party WAS founded
have been accomplished. There are only two
questions before the people to-day-the resto-
ration of an honest currency and the reform
of administrative abuses. The independent
voter is not deceived by the glamour of a once
honored name, but he will give his support to
that party, whatever its past conduct, which
holds out the fairest promise OF accom-
plishing these two reforms W Eat another
year may bring forth the shreWGest political
observer may well hesitate to predict, and
even Mr.. Bird does not undertake to forecast
the position of his Liberal party in 1876. But
the duty of the hour may be judged by each
voter in his own State without much per-
pexity. A Democratic victory, for Instance,
in Ohio would be an appalling calamity, for
there the Republican party is the champion OF
common hOnesty-nOt, perhaps, by enthusiastic
choice, but perfOrce by the conspicuous rascality
of its opponents. Elsewhere the conditions
are very different There is no sign that the
Republican party as whole, so far as it is
represented by its organization and acts
through its acknowledged leaders, is in any
mind for reform. There is no reason to believe
that if it should triumph in 1876 it would
thrust out the bad men who have led 1t to
the brink of ruin, or forswear the cor
rupt and violent practices which have
excited the disgust of the country Mr.
Delano is still a member of the Cabinet,
whitewashing Committees are in active
EMPLOYMENT Force Bill patriots are getting
pay III offices for their subserviency in Con-
gress, Boss Shepherd is in favor, Kellogg and
Casey rule at New-Oreans, Ames telegraphs
panic from Mississippi, crime is committed
under cover of the law at Washington. and if
the Custom house faction had not the courage
to show itself the other day in the New DIRK
Convention, it sat behind the speakers desk,
and dictated resolution commencing this dis
graceful Administration. Every hating and
timid step which the Republican party has
taken toward reform has been upon the direst
cOmpulsiOn. Give 1t one hour of victory and
every such step will be retraced.
Upon the whole we see no reason yet why
the Liberals should respond to Mr.. Will
sons call for help. The Republican leaders
are not penitent; they are only, like one of
their unfortunate statesmen, "desperately
short" and ready in such distressing circum.
stances to beg contributions even from the
enemy. Leave them for a while to the dis
cipline of disaster