New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-28
THO SPEECHES.

There ia a contrast in the story OF the two
;mnortant conventions which assembled on
Wednesday in New-York and Massachu-
sets which politicians may find it for their
nro6t to study. Mr.. Jacobs, who took the
chair at Utica, addressed the Democrats OF
this State in strain so familiar that, sooth TO
say, it has become little ridiculous lie
"pointed with pride" to the achievements Oh
the Democratic party from the days OF Jener-
son down to the present time, only excepting
from this comprehensive survey the deeds
of 1861 and thereabouts, to which we
do not fnd> that he made any direct
reference. He forgot 80 completely the
history of secession times that he made
the mistake of attributng "fraternal dlscord
"and civil strife" entirely to the Temporary
"overthrow of the Democratic party" lie
gave the Democratic party all the credit Tor
the previous sixty years Of progress and pros
perity. He ascribed extravaganza, corruption,
and the depression of business entirely to the
success of the Republican politicians i'll getting
hold of the Offices and controlling MAJORITY
of Congress And though, his speech abo''nded
in wel-tuncd illusions to "an honest ana
busincss-likc administration" we do not ma
that he really proposed any other remedy 1or
the national evils than change III the poll
ties of the holders. MIR. Jacobs never
suspected that the denomination IN political
life affects both parties, and that mere paru-
sanship cannot reform 1t.
Mr.. Sandford mt Boston had q much clearer
understanding of the political situation. lie
wasted no breath in rchearsing the past or
attempting to conjurc with the jargon OF party.
"Thcre Is no magic in party Names" he de-
clarcd, "n0 gratitude for past achievement
THAT will atone for present failures" In
stead of dwelling upon the history OF the
Republican party, he preferred to look ut It's
present condition. Instead of scolding at the
faults Of the Democracy which are quite be-
yond Republican correction, he applied
frank and fearless scrutiny tn the con-
duet of his own political associates over
which it might be presumed that the
Convention had some control. He told
bis party that the whole country was up
in arms against the Republican Influences and
tendencies which have debased the public
service, against a leadership that has welded
power and patronage for It's own ends and not
for the public good, against violent parisanship
that has usurped the place of craftsmanship,
and ostracZcd distinguished character anu
ability, and u code Of morality that has filed
the Government with scandals. The duty OF
Republicans is not mach to rescue the
country from the hands of the Democrats
"a to rescue their own party from the leaders
who are sending it to destruction.
The sentiments of this address have long
been common enough in private conversation
For two or three years they have been spoken
wherever men Of honesty aud common sense
have tried to talk politics; they have been
uttered in every respectable club and parlor;
they have been expressed with emphasis IN
every reputable journal But to hear them IN
a Republican party convention ~ new expe-
riencc,-new and very encouraging. We shall
be surprised if hcncclorth they do not become
common. Massachusetts, speaks for the
"awakencd moral sense Of the country" as
she has done 80 many times before.