Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-05-04
YOUNG MEN AND REFORM.

YOUNG MEN AND REFORM.
Hdrper's Weekly of the current issue con-
tains leading editorial on the relation of
the young men of the country to the Re-
publican organization, which contains SO
much that is true, sensible, and timely that
we quote here literally from it The article
begins by saying that the Republican party
has always strongly appealed to the sym
pathy and support of young men, and con.
tinues:
1.-THE moral aspect of the slavery ques- |
ton aroused enthusiasm, and the earlier
movements of the party were like cru
sade. This tradition still fingers. The |
party is strongest among the most intelll-
gent and the most conscientious classes OF |
citizens. 1t is weakest in the worst parts
Of great cities and among those who were
bred under the influences of slavery and
secession. But this very fact explains the
independence within the party which rem
ders the strict drill and discipline of the
Democratic party impossible, and which
often confuses the designs Of party lead
ers. This independence, however, is the
true conservatism of the party, because it
holds those leaders in check. There is al
ways known to be a large number OF Re-
publicans who would not hesitate to stay
away from the polls or to vote against an
unworthy candidate. This number is now
large beyond all precedent"
The facts here stated are we'll to be kept
steadily in view. There is class of Re-
publican politicians who point continually
TO the Democratic organization as model
of discipline, and as an example how COM
pletely the individual citizen should surren-
der himself, his vote and his Judgment to
Whatever may be Irregular" according to
the party decision, They entirely lose sight
OF the character of the Republican party.
1t can never be made so effective "ma-
chine as its oppon ent, and in this fact lies
its superior claim to respect and support.
The great body Of its voters stand in it up
on individual conviction, and when it ceas-
es to respect the principles to which they
have surrendered their confinement they
will cease to respect it. They can only bt
held in the party while the party is doing
good seryice-the best service possible
for the interest of the community, the State
or the country. A mere appeal to thei
partisanship, in the face Of their belief tina
the party has taken wrong ground or nomi
inated unworthy candidates, is worse thai
useless.
Such, we say, is the characteristic Of tn
great body of the Republican party, and
constitutes not only the party's own great
ness but pillar Of supporter the Republic
without citizens acting from such sens
OF duty, and holding their party continual
IL up to the highest practicable line of &C
hon, what perils and injuries would tn
country suffer, and how rapid would be it
descent to ruin We quote again from th
Weekly
'sThe young men at this election will nc
have the hideous crime OF slavery to des
with, like those of sixteen and twenty year
ago. But the ardor and high hope Of thei
youth naturally look to find worthy caus
in politics, and they turn to the Republica
party as the vehicle by which their desire
Of giving purer and dnoblerimpulse to prat
tical politics may be fulfilled.
the present moment in this country tn
younger voters are more interested in n
form than in any other object. What thei
is the situation? Is it not evident that e
ther the candidate to be nominated at Cir
cinnati or that at st. Louis will be elected
Is it not equally evident that there is a gel
eral uprising within the Republican par
in favor of some candidate who is not on
true Republican, but distinctively FRI
from all entangling alliances with ii
shames and disgraces of the party? Is n
this, therefore, most favorable mome
to unite with the organization, and increa
the volume and momentum of the demaI
within the party?
1t seems to us that the young men wi
sincerely seek reform should at this tim
when there is so inspiring resolution
the same end in the Republican party, uni
with that party to secure at Cincinnati
result which will be the guarantee OF VIII
they desire. This is what the most publ
spirited and unselfsh citizens are doing
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and NJ
souri, and throughout the country. Pat
otto expectation is turned to Cincinnati
q candidate who shall represent not mere
the force Of party machine, but the pow
OF the generous, reforming, and resolu
Republican desire of the country"