The New York herald., 1875-07-20
Senator Thurman on the Ohio situ-
qtiOn.


and we are very glad to hear so eminent a
democratic leader make the point. 1t would
be grave public calamity if either of the
two political parties, now so evenly matched
In the country, were committed to so false
and ruinous policy as that of an inflated
and irredeemable currency. Mr.. Thurman is
right, TOO, in saying that there are initiation
lists in both parties. General Butler and
Judge Kelley are no better than Mr. Pendle-
ton and Mr.. Voorhees,. and it would not be
difficult to match name tor name among re-
publican and democratic inhationists.
Nor can we blame Mr.. Thurman for refus-
ing to oppose his party in Ohio, or to help the
republicans, as he puts it, because the plat
form violates what he believes to be funda-
mental principle in finance. He regards the
Ohio campaign as q local one and does not
believe that the result there, or any declara-
tion in the Ohio platform, can commit the
national democratic party, and he sees that
the imitation question is one which cannot be
settled by q State platform, because it
| is essentially and necessarily a national ques-
tion. Local politicians commit grave errors
when they aim to achieve local success at the
expense of q national victory. This has been
frequently the case when in q representative
city, such as Philadelphia or Cincinnati, for
instance, bad ticket has been forced upon
the State, or when bad State ticket, in
PENNSYLVANIA or Ohio, has been forced upon
the whole country. A similar mistake is made
when local principle to which the nation
objects is proclaimed by State convention.
Mr. Thurman unmistakably refuses to yield
his principles upon finance to the platform of
the Ohio dem ocrats, and with equal firm
ness declines to consider that the
right financial doctrine requires the de-
feat OF his party in a purely State election.
He does not, therefore, 10 our opinion,
abdicate the position or shirk the duty of
statesman when he refuses to leave his party
because in local struggle it has gone wrong
on national question.
But while we think thus we are equally GER
tain that for Senator Thurman to remain
silent in the Ohio canvass, and thus to give his
assent to the platform, would be fatal to his emil
nent position as democratic statesman and
we rejoice, therefore, to read his declaration
1
canvass, on the last day OF july to announce
his disagreement with the financial provisions
of the platform" statesman is teacher of
the people To be worthy of the name he
N ust have strong convictions he must see
clearly what is for the honor and the benefit
of his country he must have ''the courage
of his opinions" as the French say, and the
al-a ~ n tha of h.
pie the reasons for the political course which
he believes to be necessary and the best.
In free country like ours such man natu-
rally acts with one or the other of the great
political parties, and he can hardly ex-
pect his party always to agree with
him upon every point of policy. He has
sometimes to sacrifice to wait, to protest; but
if he values his place and influence as
leader of opinion he cannot remain silent
when, upon vitality important question, even
part OF his party goes wrong. This Senator
Thurman sees, and accordingly he means TO
put on record his protest against the imitation
movement in Ohio. We hope to see him use
the occasion 10 give his hearers and the DEM
ocrats OF Ohio such plain and easily intel
ligible statement of the tallacIes Of the inha-
tiohists and of the necessity for a reform OF
our currency as will make them see this i'm
portant question correctly. If he does this he
will do the country, as well as mis- party,
! great service. He has it in his power to force
the position Of the infationists, to counteract
at once the er evil Vaccinations. and to pre-
pare the way for declaration Of correct prin-
| cIples ID the National Democra ic Convention
next year. Indeed, it would be wise stroke
Of policy on the part of the democratic lead
ers If such nen as Governor Tilden, Senator
Bayard and other conspicuous representa- YES
OF sound financial principles should take part
in the Ohio campaign and use the occasion to
set forth sound doctrine th ere, and instruct the
people il such way as to prevent them from
being misled by shallow theorists and derna-
gogues next year.
Senator Thurman appears to attribute great
importance TO democratic victory in Ohio
this fall, in its bearings upon the elections
next year. We do not entirely agree with
him. 1t is far more important to the demo-
cratic party TO bs right than to win Ouio
] The country is looking more than for many
! years past at the character of party leaders
It will not trust men who, by discreet silence
or by playing fast and loose with principles,
show themselves anxious only TO succeed.
What the democratic leaders need to secure
success in 1876 is to persuade the mass OF the
people between now and then that they are
men OF principle; that they can give the ma
ton peace, sound currency and honest gov
ernment The conduct Of the democrats in
Ohio, so far, does not help to this end, and
democratic grand remonstrance would not be
ont of order in the course OF the tall campaign
For this is an issue that sooner or later
must be met. The honest people OF this
country, whatever their political sympathies
~. ~ rtu rnlafinns will not nnieflv snh1n1f "a