Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-01-06
n. Y. TRIBUNE.
'"The Leading American Newspaper. !"

The year 1876 promises to be crowded with
more important and interesting occurrences
than any since the close of the war. We shall
celebrate the one hundredth anniversary Of our
national birth with the most remarkable dis
play of our arts and industries, and the great
| est concourse of visitors ever seen on the con-
tinent. We shall elect new President under
circumstances which threaten to make the pol
itical campaign peculiarly exciting. The House
OF Representatives for the first time since the
close Of Mr.; Buchanan's term is under the con-
troll Of the Democratic party, and it proposes
to lay bare the secrets of the Administration
now drawing to q close. It's course during the
next six months will define the policy by
| which the Democratic party hopes to rule the
country; while the action of the Republicans
| Is likely to determine whether the organization
which saved the Union and freed the slave is to
| fall to pieces or enter upon new career of
usefulness. In the practical work of govern
ment there are great abuses to be swept away,
and many promises to be put to The test. In
the settlement of the national finances the year
may markthe crisis of or affairs. In religion it
| promises TO mark great revival, and there are
many signs that the relations of the Church to
the State, and particularly to the State schools,
will provoke sharp discussion, and enter large
| ly into politics. In trade, commerce and pro-
ductive industry there are hopes that it will
witness the long deferred revival.
In such stirring and crowded period, THE
| TRIBUNE confidently appeals to its past rec
Ofu anu It's present performance, as CONSTITUTE
| ing its claim for the continued regard of all old
| readers, and the accession Of many new ones.
| No intelligent citizen can afford during such a
year as 1876 to dispense with an independent
newspaper, upon which he can rely for an i'm
partial record Of events, undistorted by parts
an necessities or personal hates or ambitions.
| THE TRIBUNE will maintain with the old
fervor the old Republican principles of which
| it was the champion all through the American
conflict, and it will rojoice whenever those
principles are victorious under the old banners.
But it can never be the servant of caucuses or
conventions; it must approve what it finds
good in the acts and professions of either party
and apologize for the wrong doings of neither.
In giving the news it endeayors TO set forth the
| truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth; in politics its great object is to elect hon
est men, whom the country knows and can
trust; to secure hard money, Administrative
reform, such economy in public affairs the
hard times compel from private citizens, and.
| as consequence, lower taxes. Thus it found
Itself last Fall, ralying the forces for the spleu
did hard-money triumphs won by the Republi-
cans and their allies in Ohio and Pennsylvania,
and rs earnestly striving TO hold up the hands
OF an Administration in NewYork, which was
busy fighting the Canal Ring, stopping leaks III
the treasury, and lowering taxes. In each case
it found the people sustaining its positions,
and 1t hopes to be so clearly right in Its poiti-
| cal course through all the storms of 1876 Is to
win equal success, and command yet greater
approval.
One result of this policy of struggling for the
triumph of honest men and sound principles.
without being too much controlled by mere
party names, has been that both parties find
themselves forced to abandon some of the worst
practices of the old caucus system, to put for
ward their best men, and to practice some of
the reforms they preach. 1t may fairly be
claimed that conscientious and independent
voters have thus within two or three years
gradually forced both parties up to Il somewhat
higher plane, and we may hope that the Cen
tennial year will witness still greater improve
ment.
THE TRIBUNE will continue to labor for this
end with the methods which have already com
mended it to popular favor. 1t will endeavOr
to combine the utmost candor with Judicial
fairness; will keep its columns free from per-
| sonal wrapglng; will waste no time in reply
ing TO the incessant attacks its success prOvOkeS
from cnyiOus rivals, and as heretofore will re-
serve all its space for its readers interests.
From those who believe such journal de
srable visitor in their families, THE TRIBUNE
socits continuance of the favor it has so con-
spicuously enjoyed in the past. During the
years 1874 and $50 the position assigned 1t
long ago by foreign critics, a, 1.-THE leading
American newspaper" has come to be general
~ recognized, and lis circulation has been
greater thln ut any previous period in its his
| tory. IL has won this position by the closest
watChfulnesS and the most lavish expenditure
10 procure the freshest intelligence. the most
complete reports, the most interesting letters
| and essays, and the abest work in every de-
partmrnt. it, staff inc iudcs the most accom-
p.l,hel men in the profession, and among It's
outside contributors it numbers many OF the
most eminent men in the country.