New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-17
Ncw.yoRK DAILY TRIBUNE, THURSDAY, AUGUST II, 1876

been made at this session OF Congress. let
il I'D one fault, without which it would not
have been satisfactory to all Republicans. III
implied. from beginning to end, that the
Republican party, being on the defensive
hoped to succeed because Democracy had not
yet escaped from its record III southern az
fairs. 1t was the speech of the captain OF the
rear guard. Unhappily, the Republican party,
considered as n political organization, Is ana
necessarily must be on the defensive, for the
organization does not faithfully represent the
impressive spirit of the majority of Republican
voters.
Senator Morton's speech was ore OF the same
kind but less effective. Though he assalls
very powerfully the record OF Mr.. Tilden, Mr..
Hendricks, and the Democrats generally, there
is still the same difficulty. 1t is only the gal
liant charge Of Il rear guard, to gain time Tor
an army Oh The defensive. These speeches 40
not exhibit the purpose OF great party
proud Of its lofty aims, not content 10 VIII ny
reason of its past achievements, or the past
failures of its foes, but pushing forward 10
new triumphs If the Republican party ought
TO hold the country solely because 1t was IN
the right, and the Democratic party Ill the
wrong, twelve years ago, these speeches were
complete Blu. they hardly serve Tor tho7e
voters who wish to know which OF the TWO
partics will best serve the country with REFER
ence to the new questions of the present ana
future.
The brief abstract of Senator Sherman's
speech indicates that he tried to meet these
Gucstions. how successfully only iull
report can show. Bat it Is unquestlon-
ably true that large proportion OF the
Republican managers want to pursue the
course outlined by McSsrs. Morton and
Sherman, and will try TO follow their example.
I'm that case, the Republicans will make de-
fensvc fight. They will be pushed from point
to point, will finally be overwhelmed by the
fierce rush of the regulators IN October, ana VIII
probably get beaten i'll the end. The voters VINO
will decide this contest are not partisanS. sur
ring appeals to Jealous Republicans or " rcd-hOt
Democrats are thrown away. II the submissive
slaves of the two machines" are to settle
this business the Democrats will succeed. vi
mere slaves they have the larger number and
i'm the better discipline. Too many of the Re
publican voters have opinions of their own.
The men who do not submissiyely follow either
e
nothing for either party excepting as means
for the accomplishment of certain results,
are apt to be repealed rather than
won if party relies mainly upon
history aud the misconduct of its foes. The
Republican party will not win these thoughtful
voters by cyading any of the vital questions
of the time. They may not vote against IT,
but if they are not satisfied. they are abund-
antly able to stay ut home. OF that they have
gwen proofs. Thus far the campaign l. I'M
usually dull aud apathctic If neither party
succeeds in convincing the independent voters
that it can he trusted, in respect To the cur
rcncy and the civil service. the voting will he
dull. and the Democratic tools Will outnum-
Der the Republican tools What the Repbh-
can party needs is conscientious conviction,
Il clearly defined, strongly held purpose, for
which il is willing to fight TO tic death It's
accustomed leaders bring 1t no such insp'ra-
ti,u. "A,