National Republican., 1876-03-31
Hor rHE PART OF WISDOM


ernment since the popular Judgment
crushed out Democracy and its misdeeds
in 1e6o=has it been more important than
now that Republican principles and the
Republican party should be supreme in
the administration of its affairs. Nothing
short of this will subserYe the national
peace and welfare, and that man, whether
representing popular sentiment individu'
ally. or through the public press. who
throws obstacles in the way of that
achievement in the coming Presidential
election cannot be counted just or wise
man or patriot.
In the coming contest the people must
have leader who embodies the true prin-
\ ciplcs Of the Republican faith, and who
has proved true to Republican. policy un-
der all contingencies. They are now seek
ing standard bearer and we have no
doubt seek only the true interests of the
country in this pursuit. The people are
intelligent and understand well the his
tory Of public events and men. and. if left
to their own Judgment. will make no
mistake in their choice.
In this connection. perhaps, it will
not be inappropriate TO consider the
claims of Mr.. Conklirg. the candl-
date Of the New York Republicans.
No measure looking TO the perPesuiiy of
the Union. TO the advancement of the
| principles of freedom, TO the protection of
the rights of man, TO the development of
i the general and individual resources of the
country. has been without his champion
ship during all the struggles that have
come upon the country since he came upon
the stage Of action as public man. For
this reason the people Of his State delight
to honor and trust him, and are now en-
gagged in the work of bringing him to the
front as a candidate for the Presidency.
Should they succeed in this laudable en-
terprise, it will be in spite of two able and
influential journals in his State. Much to
the surprise of the people, whose voice is
to decide this question, the New York
Times and Rarper's Weekly have thrust
their formidable proves upon the track in
opposition to what seems to be popular,
| if not q unanimous movement in behalf OF
Senator Conkling's preferment. We are
[ not disposed to examine or impugn motives
at this time. These two journals have
a right, under the broad principle of
freedom of the press. to express their opin-
ion freely and fully, but the part of wisdom
would have disrobed these expressions of
that bitterness which malignant partisan
ship too often indulges. The people do
not look to the New York Times or to
Harper's Journal Of Civilization for their
estimate of public men or for sign by
which they are to be guided in the dis
charge of their duties as citizens. The
times may dislike Senator Conkling, and
Harper's Weekly may give uttcrancc to its
peculiar ideas, nodded in personal preiu-
dice, and yet the people will move directly
on in their work of selecting President
for the next four years, needless of their
attempts to control their action. They
will learn in due time that they can neither
shape nor control the popular Judgment.
| Their utterances will serve but single
purpose in the future. They will be treas
ured up in the armament of the enemies
of the Republican cause to be used. against
him who in spite of their revilings has
been honored by the people.
This line of policy on the part of jour.
mails of acknowledged power IS neither
wise nor just. They may express prefer,
ences, but they should never be betrayed
into line of hostile attack such as has
been developed against Senator Conkling
during the present canvass for delegates in
his State Not that they have harmed him
or his cause, for if they have welded any
power it has evidently been wide from
their intention and to his advantage, but
they have made for themselves record
that in the future may return to torment
the inventors. 1t were far better for them
selves and for the Republican cause had
they never made it, as the future will, nc
doubt, reveal to their own troubled judg
ments the Republican party of the Empire
State is entitled to different line Of policy
from both these journals, having giver
them the power they possess for good ol
| evil