National Republican., 1876-07-01
THE OPENING PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.

4h1 OIEN1Nu Ih1o4OIN 42hA SSN S&'
The first wave of Republican enthusiasm
on the nomination of Hayes and Wheeler
has swept over the country, and lett its
impress upon the popular mind. This has
been followed by the nomination of Tilden
ard Hendricks by the Democrats at st.
Louis, and that party has labored vigilsntly
to enthuse itself over that result in such
manner as TO create confidence and hope
for success. And, indeed, no party ever
had more need of stimulants after it passed
through the travail of platform and nomi
nations than that which now calls itself
Democratic. The history OF this country, if
the accounts published IN all quarters ofthe
proceedings at St. Louis are to be credited,
does not furnish parallel to that conven-
tion in the disorder, lawlessness, broils and
immoral and disgraceful scenes enacted
by its delegates and attendants. 1t was
throughout an unprincipled struggle be-
tween cliques and rings within the party
for ascendancY, and New York, through
its money, its boldness and its energy, bore
off the palm.
1t now becomes matter of serious duty
with the Republicans to enter the field
with proper appreciation Of what is nee
essary to save the Government from fall
ing into the hands of such party. 1t is
the part of wisdom to look the canvass,
with all its responsibilities, embarrass-
ments and doubts, squarely in the face, and
prepare to meet them at all points with
vigilance that never tires, and never yields
until all hope is lost. The Democratic
party is stimulated by the scent of plunder
to a bold and determined fight. 1t has
placed its standard in the hands of an IN
scrupulous, unprincipled and bold man,
who will enact more inconsistencies and
enormit:es, under the plea of "reform,"
than any man on this continent. Al~
history justifes. and the future Bi.or-
roborste, the statement that 1noen luea
of reform in governmep' centres IN MS
own ambitious designs nr preterment. he
weayes il into a la6Ier by which he hopes
10 climb to por er in the National Govern
nent. HIS aggressive cohorts at st. Louis,
led by that sanity reformer. John Morris
sey, drove all his competitors to the wall
by dint of force, and he bore off the prize
in triumph, much to their discontinue.
The same spirit which brought victory
at St Louis is to injected into the canvass
on that side, in the hope of securing New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut by
brute force allied TO the grossest corruption
of the ballot box in those States. This
great reformer is ready to corrupt the
elective franchise anywhere to accomplish
his ends. and the Republican party msy as
well prepare itself at the Threshold of the
to meet and overcome bold and
defiant corruption at every step throughout
this struggle. These can be overcome by
taking an equally bold and aggressive
stand and maintaining it throughout.
Tilden cannot carry New York on the
cry of reform or under any
other cry, if the Republican forces are
arrsyed in the field. To provide
for this is the first and last duty of all Re-
publicans. The strength of our opponents
must not be underrated or our own over
rated. But every element of strength and
success on the Republican side must be
brought in active requisition and kept
until victory is achieved. At no
time since 1860 has it been more import
ant than now to secure Republican
supremacy in the Government. It's future
unity and peace hang upon this point.