New-York tribune., 1875-01-13
STdTEsNAHyHIP.

q The address of Mr. Evarts at the meeting
on Monday night was q noble effort from any
point of view. It was calm. dignified.
philosophical, and frank. It told the exact
and simple truth Tightening none of the
narrative portions for effect, offending neither
historical accuracy nor severe good taste by
any rhetorical exaggerations. bat setting forth
the situation exactly as it is. In nothing
however was it more remarkable than
in its practical good sense. Mr.. Evarts
reminded his hearers at the start that
the Republican party was not to
be held responsible for the misdeeds
of the Administration at New-Orleans until it
had an opportunity to approve or condemn
them. No party capital can be made out OF
this affair until it has the tacit or express
sanction of the Republicans who placed Gen.
Grant in Office; and even the amazing cow
ardice or imbeciliy of the Presidents sup
porters in Congress will do no great harm to
the party unless these Congressman are to
some extent sustained by their constituents.
On the contrary. there is in this critical oc-
currence not only an opportunity for the
Democrats, but superb opportunity
for reformed and rejuvenated Re-
publicanism. lf only some leader would
arise with the sagacity to comprehend
the situation, the personal magnetism
to capture the public attention, the talent to
unite and organize men, we might see sud
den revival of that great historical party
which brought us out OF the darkness OF
Slavery and through the horrors Of war; To
those who regard the machinery of adminis-
tratiOn. to quote the language of Senator
Schurz, as "a mere instrument of Ring rule,
"a tool to manufacture majorties and to or
"ganize plumber" this uprising of the people
against the abuse of power presents itself as
a revolt which has to be faced with bold
front and punished with the whip. But
statesmen, like Mr.. Evarts, perceive that it is
the indignant protest OF an honest people
against the msdeeds of their servants; and
the question is whether the servants shall be
discharged or the masters shall be ruined.
However that point may be settled, tho
events of the past few days have demonstrated
that the men now at the head of affairs have
lost control of their own party. 1t may be
simple matter enough to patch up squabble
in the Cabinet, and suppress the first intima-
tiOns of independence on the Republican side
of the Senate. Even the majority in the
House, which has much keener sense of
public opinion than the gentlemen at the
other end of the Capitol, may be forced into
submission. But all Washington, even with
the aid of post-offices, and custom-houses,
and deputy marshals, cannot drive the
Republican party. The voters have taken
the lead. and the politician who refuses to
follow is sure to be thrown. Everybody can
see how things are going except the narrow
minded and dull-witted persons at the seat of
Government who dream that they have ac-
quired prescriptive right to be supported at
the public expense. They will all get their
eyes open some day but when that comes to
pass they will find that the Republican party
exists no longer, or else that it has been re-
constructed and they are left outside.