New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-08

tons, and though it might be too much to
say that it has failed utterly, or that it has
shown itself entirely unworthy public conf
dence, we are perfectly safe in saying that it
is distrusted very generally by all but extreme
partisans, and that the prospect of it's return
to full power would excite the gravest appre-
tensions in the minds of good citizens There
is no need to refer in detail to the causes for
this distrust. 1t is enough that as party 1t
has no policy it dare avOw upon the most i'm
portant issue in our politics.
Thoughtful men of both parties, and the
large and constantly increasing class of voters
who acknowledge no allegiance to either but
act independently, view this situation with
uneasness. They fear TO encourage either party,
for tho faults of both are too conspicuous;
the sincerity of their professions is everywhere
questioned, and even their ability TO carry into
effect their promises of reform is denied. On
the one hand, the Republican party, brought
down to defeat and to dishOnor worse
thousand times than any disaster, by the
Grant Administration, has forfeited conf
dence, not by a single slip, sudden
lapse from virtue, but by persistent adherence
to evil courses, stubborn Tefusals to listen to
wise counsel or profit by friendly criticism
by continued subscrviCnce to weak and
wicked Administration, and an affect timidity
of power that has changed it from great
army animated with an earnest purpose and
marching with n firm front, TO COwardly
mob of adventurous suffers and camp fol-
lowers. Exposure has followed exposure of
its bundcrs, folles and crimes sometimes the
offenders have been punished, though not often;
sometimes defended, and sometimes the plea
put in that bad "a all these things were the
opposition had done or would do worse. The
public service has been filed with rascals, and
the party leaders, if they have upon rare
occasions consented to individual prosecutions
and punishmcnts, have oftcncr palliated or
defended crime, and always Insisted siren
uously that there was nothing wrong in the
system under which these rogucs came TO their
opportunities, and that tho man who APP
pointed them was so good and great that
criticism must not 60 near him. Such have
been the leaders Of the party. They hold
their leadership to-day. They have been
promising reform in behalf of the party for
the past four years. They have abused beyond
measure and without stint tho Republicans
who four years ago formally protested against
the tendencies which were leading TO to-day's
results They have seen these things going on
and accommodating. and not one of them has
ever spoken loud word of protest or
remembrance. They IRE still leaders. Their
own work is before them. Can they have the
assurance TO ask support for their party or for
a continuance Ofpublic confidence in themselves
a. leaders
And yet that is the only alternative in the
existing situation To- turning over the Govern
mCnt 10 the Democrats, whose record, on the
other hand, promises nothing in the shape of
relief or Improvement. Vi the Republicans
have had bad leaders, the Democrats seem to
have none. The choice Of evils is hardy
worth making. The country is between the
devil and the deep sea. Next week there Is
state election in NCW-IIampshirc which both
parties are auxOd3 10 carry, not 20 much for
what is 10 be gained in the state rs fol- IT.
effect on the Presidential election. But con-
slider for a moment the attitude into which
the independent voter is forced by the ritua-
ton. lie cannot desire the success OF Che Re
publicans, since that would show that the late
disgraccful exposures had had no effect upon
the public mind. 1t would be in some measure
n vote Of confidence in an Administration
which neither has nor deserves confidence, and
would be accepted by the Republican leaders
"a assurance of mpunity for all their misdo-
inga The country cannot Afford 10 have these
people 90 unrebukcd. And yet to rebukc
them brings into power a very bad lot of New
Hampshire Bourbons and inspires the Dcmoc-
racy with the hope OF success, not upon their
own deserving but upon the blundcr5 aud
crimes Of their opponents, aud 50 relicycs them
from the necessity Of having a policy or show
ing in any way their fitness for power 80
between them both, honest men hesitate, not
knowing which way to turn. Each party i
weak of itself, and only strong by comparison
with its opponent. The country waits for the
Republican party TO throw off its leaders, and
for the Democracy to avow its financial policy.
If neither is done, is. there anything left for
honest independent men but to organize scpa-
Iatclyl |
--
INNOCENT IS h B4BE.
Mr.. Field summed NJ the defense of McsSrs.