, 1876-11-09
THE WEAKNESS OF THE CAMPAIGN.

rection of tho campaign.
THE WEAKNESS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Tho Wondor fs that tile Republicans havo
dono go well. Tho large Electoral vote md
tho relatively larger popular vote that have
been given HAYES and WHEELER demonstrate
tho fondness of tho people of this country
for tho national party that has directed it's
nffairs for sixteen years, aud the strong dis
inclination to abandon it even for time
aud for tho purpose Of christening ita leaders.
Tho weakness Of the Republican campaign
has been that 1t was necessarily and un-
avoidably defensive and apologetic. There
had been abuses, though porhaps not greater
than would hAye grown out Of any other
long tenure of Office succeeding the demorali-
zation OF war; but tho weight Of these alone
would not have dragged down tho party
If the people could havo bean i'm
pressed with tho belief TINT the
errora would be corrected by tho now Ad-
ninistration. There is no longer anything
to be gained by Disgusting tho fact that
Republican platfor1n furnished satisfactory
guarantee Of radical reform to the great
mass Of tho people. Whatever the intentions
were, and wo believe they wero honeat, and
whatovor the outcome would have boon, and
we belioyo 1t would havo been all that has
been promised, 1t Is certnin that the candi-
date and the platform, under tho influence
Of certain associations regarded with BUS
picion and distrust, Ind not tho foroo to
compel popular conviction in tho now de-
parture promised. It was this lack Of con-
Adonco, this dread of tho ",nachfne," this
dread Of tho rovulsion against what has been
chilled "Grantism," TINT chiefly supplement-
cd the desire for change suggested by tho
hard times.
First as to the candidate Gov. HAYES is
a1l that Inns been claimed for him by the Ro-
publican press,-nn honest man, Il Success
full nun, a bravo General, devoted rs civil
inn to tho best principles Of Government,
and personally n fair oxompllr Of tho high
est aims and best intentions Of tho Ropub-
lican party. But he was bound down u by
tho circumstances Of his nomination, md
(2) by the 1ack Of opportunity for convinc-
ing tho people TINT he had tho moral courage
and mental force for tho co,nbat with tho
"machiuo politicians which WIS sure to DO
put upon him. It was evident from tho out
set that tho campaign must be ,nado not
merely upon the pretenso but upon the
| earnest and sincere purpose Of reform.
| There was ono man-BENJAsttN II. Bn1sTow
who stood out aa Tie conspicuous aud
tried defondor of reform, and rs bold,
aggressive, pud strategic assailcr Of the
| rings. He wns no rcspoctor Of persons,
md Ills naino would hnye been q
synonym for reform, universally rccog.
| nizcl at tho baro mention. Ho was
the chosen candidate Of all that portion
Of the Convention which was outspoken
ngainst tho Whisky Ring, against Del1fnap-
ism, against -Shollenllsm, against Con.
sresslonal partition Of Offices, against corrnp-
ton, aud the othco-broAing mud Bpoils-system
| generally, His chief contestants, with the
exception Of HAYES, wera in clio way or IN.
other identified with tho machine, or at the
best gays no hopo Of the now departure do.
nanndcd by tho people. None Of them
would give way to Dn1srow, mud hence the
final combination on Gov. HAYES was matle
with tho MD Of certain factions that Ind no
sympathy with the radical ideas pf reform
represented by BAisTow. This circumstance
loft a strong impression upon tho people
md the Democrats have not failed to nuke
the most Of 1t. Gov. Hayes has not had the
opportunity to convince the country
that he would bo NIL to IT that the
people knew Dnlsrow would be. He
had no ulaana Of direct communication
with the people except through hit
lattor OF acceptance, which WAS straight.
forward aud ,nanly. Ills record has been
that Of q pure, truthful, and earucst man.
but 1t has contained no great struggles. IT
one word, there has bocn popular doubi
about hls porsoual {orco, with no opportu
uity for practically removing It and, how
ever unjust 1t may be, that doubt han never
thelegs been QUO Of tue two principal ole
ments Of weakneAs.
Next ~ to tho platform: It will b.
studied IN vain for any direct, emphatic
ringing, convincing declaration Of the pur
poso OF reform. Thare was mildly-wosdet
section declaring against the Oongressiona
practice Of debating Federal appointments
aud generalization about honesty, fidelity
and capacity as qualifications for office; bu
1t went along with OIL unconditional indorse
msnt Of GRANT and his Administration, AMI
was nullided in the minds Of ths
people by tho wrongful zomova
from office Of all those men wht
had bsen the leaders In all the reform meas
] uses Of tha Government. by supplying thai