New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-18
PROGRESS T0WARD BETTER POLITICS.

PROGRESS TOWARD BETTER POLITICS.
What public opinion will demand two months
hence may be III some degree inferred from
the change in public opinion within the past
two months. Let 10 one who desires better
government be disheartened. Within sixty
days there has been real and substantial
progress of public opinion III the right direc-
ton. not toward machine Republication nor
toward reactionary Democracy, but toward
that genuine reform for which all sincere in
dependents hope. To realize how great that
progress has been we have only to recall the
opinions prevailing and the hopes and fears
expressed during the latter half of February
Gen. BabcOck was acquitted, and after read
ing the jubilant telegram from " Boss Shcp-
herd" who poured out his pious thankful
ness in the words, &" For right is right, "a God
ais good, and right the day has won" the
much-abuscd victim of a lcentious Press
and trial by newspaper visited Mcdonald
In his cell, and returned TO Washington with
Avery. Then there was gush of third-term
enthusiasm Senator COnkliDg took occasion Ia
repeat that be was emphatically in favor of
Grants denomination. Babcock bore mes
sage from The President to the Senate, and
Republican senator's crowded around him with
their con, ltulatiOn3. In the open Senate
chamber, wi,h tho world looking on and lis
tening Alr hlOrtOn 'YlS not ashamed TO we
with Mr.. C)L King ii Taste and hcarlness d
greeting to the man wAJ had just escaped u
penitentiary. The speedy retirement of Secrc-
tary Bristow and Solicitor Wilson was mo-
mentarIly expected, and when it was delayed
hot xy..ull Duicl " fnllpW the
New-Hampshirt election. Delegations OF earn
est Republicans called upon the President with
words of warning and protest, but went away
by no means full of hore.
This was during the last week of February
On tho Democratic side, Mr.. Hendricks was
considered the future candidate. The rag
money mon were aggressive and jubilant
Democrats generally bell, we'd that Grant would
force his denomination; tho better Republicans
reasoned that even il Grant should be de-
feated, he would surely control votes enough
in the Convention TO name his successor. Nor
did there seem to be any such awakened and
earnest public feeling as to make the election
OF q mere machine candidate an impossibilty ;
it was thought that the Democrats would DO
their worst, that voters would be compelled to
choose between Grnntism and an enemy of the
public honor, and that. in confidence that
Democracy would be defeated, Republican
rings would dare to nominate "a man to suit
themselves.
To-day the Republicans do not dare TO nom
mate any defender Of Grants administration,
and the Democrats do not dare to nominate
any innationist. A wholesome fear has settled
down over both parties. The Democrats are
Id. No, no
was a Republican, Union man, friend of
President Lincoln. The Republicans arc ask
ing each other, "What nomination will most
"sutcly convince the people that we mean
"reform n No sane man doubts that the open
preference of Grant would hunt q candidate
more than it would help him. Delegations
from the South havo been wrested from Grant,
Morton, or Conkling; New-York is divided (;
in the great Northwest Grantism has
scarcely foothold except in Indiana,
and the contest is between Bristow and
Blaine There are many who are not yet
satisfied, and they arc right, for they ought to
labor to the end with all their might, for the
very best thing possible. But is there not ap-
parent already marvellous revolution in pub
lie opinionf Is there not reason to hope that
this powerful current, as it has already pushed
tho party forward so much further than was
thought possible two months ago, may yet
sweep away all obstacles to Republican regene-
ration, and give the country party pure and
honest as well as loyalf Let independents
and reform Republicans take courage to labor
more zealously than ever. They have behind
them public sentiment now thoroughly
aroused, and growing more determined every
day.
TIE CRUISE OF THE ALERT.