The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-21
The Reform Issue In the Presidential
Canvass.


trying to maintain that reform has ceased to
nominations. The argument they employ
is so plausible that we will restate and ex-
anime it. 1t rests on the fact that the re-
publicans who have been most clamorous
for reform during the last two months have
signifed their intention to support Hayes.
Since the nomination of Hayes is cordially
accepted by that section Of the republican
that there is no chance for democrats to
draw reinforcements from the reform repub-
licans, and that there would be no advan-
tage in nominating o conspicuous represen-
tative Of reform at ST. Louis. The alleged
fact is true, but the inference is hnsty and
unwarranted. 1t is true that republican re-
formers who wanted Bristow for their
candidate have lost no time in
going into the camp Of Hayes and
enlisting under his banner; and it is
also true that the so-called independents,
men who took part in the Fifth Avenue
Conference, express no dissatisfaction with
the Cincinnati nominations. Both of these
classes of professed reformers will un-
doubtedly support Hayes, and no possible
nomination at st. Louis will change the de-
termination which they have SO promptly
formed. But it does not thence follow that
the democratic party has nothing to gain by
making reform the leading issue of the cam
vass.
We have seen no reason to change our
opinion either Of the Fifth avenue reform
ers, who assumed the title of independents,
or of the sentimental republican politicians
like MIR. Curtis, who were Bristow men be-
fore the Cincinnati Convention and are
Hayes men since. We have constantly
maintained that the whole set are amateur
politicians, who represent no constituency
and have no hold upon the people. 1t makes
little difference on which side they 60, since
they represent no votes but their own. The
fact that they so readily support Hayes proves
that their zeal tor reform was sentimental
effervescence, mere froth on the surface Of
politics. They consisted of disaffected re-
publicans who were seeking an excuse for
rejoining the party, and the event has shown
that slight excuse was sufficient. The
reputation Of Governor Hayes is not identi-
fed with the cause of reform His nomina-
ton is Endorsed with as much ardor by
President Grant and Mr.. Blaine Us by Mr..
George William Curtis and the Massachu-
sets Bristow men. Practically it makes no
difference where the small tribe Of amateurs
and political sentimentalists 60; they could
have led no considerable body Of voters out
of the republican party, and they are equally
powerless to retain voters within it. They
are mere bubbles on the sen Of politics.
1t is not what these rose-water politicians
think Of reform, but what the mass Of voting
citizens think of it, that measures its power
as political issue. Great political changes
are not the work Of leaders but of the people.
In 1872, when many republican leaders
broke with their party, the democrats were
more badly beaten than they ever were be-
fore. In 1874, without any accessions from
the republican leaders, great ''tidal wave"
of democratic successes swept over the coun-
try. The masses OF the people are gov
crned by motives very different from those
of conspicuous men. They think little of
consistency, reputation or the forfeiture of
|
their real convictions whenever their convic-
tions become strong. If they believed re-
form a vital necessity before the nomination
of Hayes they will not vote for him against
candidate who has better record on that
subject They will wait and see who is put
at the head of the st. Lcui ticket before
committing themselves. The reform issue
is not weakened at all by the precipitate re-
treat of the carpet knight politicians who
took it into their special keeping If there
was any reason why the democrats should
nominate a reform candidate before that
reason has lost none of its force by the fact
that the Bristow men have declared their ac-
ceptance of Hayes
Governor Hayes is an honest man, and if
man equally honest but as little connected
with any reform movement is nominated at
st. Louis neither party will have anything
to gain or lose by the agitation of that ques-
tion. But if the Democratic Convention
should nominate vigorous reformer such a
selection will win votes if the reform senti-
ment has taken strong hold of the mass of
the people There are no trustworthy data
for judging whether it has or not the alac-
rity with which Mr.. Bristows late support
ers have gone over to Hayes proves nothing
one way or the other They are political
captains without any rank and file, and are
too glad of any excuse for seeking shelter in
the republican fold. But if the people de-
sire reform in good earnest they will not be
so easily satisfied. The real potency of the
reform issue remains precisely the same as
before the Cincinnati Convention. II the
democratic party mounts it boldly it mny
win it has but slender chance of winning
on any other issue. II this is to be the issue
Governor Tilden is the strongest candidate,
not because he is the most honest