New-York tribune., 1876-07-15
DFUOCR4TTC DISTRUST.

The grand rallying of the Republican party
displeases the Democrats. But they have
themselves to thank for it, One Winters trial
of Democracy has been enough. Those VINO
were most dissatisfied with the conduct OF
some Republican leaders feel as keenly as the
most thorough partisaus that it would be not
only positive evil but decidedly dangerous
TO intrust unrcstraincd power TO the Demo
cratic party. Hence it is that Libera'75 'nde-
pendents. and anti-Grant Republican gather
to the support OF Hayes and Wheeler quite as
earnestly as those members of the party who
claim the best record for "regularity." The
Union League Club and The Republican Re
form Club favor the nominations with fully
as much sinc,r ", we venture to say, IA the
most active CustOm-house politician, anu the
same spirit appears in the press and III local
ratification meetings of other cities. In view
of these manifestations, the Democrats are
somewhat disposed to sneer at the sincerity OF
Reform Republicans. The Democratic record
supplies the sufficient answer.
For three years the Democratic party has
taken pains TO make it understood that Liberal
or independent aid was not wanted. In Ohio.
PENNSYLVANIA and other large States, it
For time, hard-moncy Democrats in other
States protested and opposed. But more than
two-thirds of the members of the Democratic
party in the House have repeatedly committed
themselves to these false and dangerous no.
tiOns during the present session. Ih Dpos-
ton of hard-moIey men has steadily weakened.
Mir Cox of this State consents to offer bill
for the repeal of the Resumption act Even
Mr.. Belmont, according to recent utternces,
counsels harmony and Cancellation through
an abandonment of the pledge OF resumption.
In every quarter the obvious tendency IN that
party is 10 surrender the most treasured tradl-
tions of the party, and to repudlatc the most
solemn pledges Of the public faith, III order TO
keep the party whole. To Liberals and indie
peudcnts this disposition is far more offensive
than any personal a!lrOnt. They were pat
riotic enough to support party OF sound prin-
ciplcs caring little whether ii treated them
well or III. They are much too patriotic to
support a party OF rcpudiatiOn.
When the Democrats gained power II was
by pledges of practical reform. But no sooner
had the party Offices to give than the dismissal
Of uicd and valuable public servants began,
to make room for incompetent hacks. We
all know how the Offices about the House
of Representatives have been filed. Even
Democrats have looked upon the spectacle
with modification. In legislation there has
been great delay, persistent sacrifice OF public
interest to partsanshp, gross incompetence,
and most dlscTeditablo indifference To pledges.
Rctrenchmcnt was promised, and weeks have
been spent in captions wrangllng about con-
tcmptible trhcs, while millions were thrown
away by the River and liaIbor bill, passed
without examination or debate, and sum
yariously estimated from fifty to three hun
drcd millions was voted away, so far rs
the House has the power, in the Bounty bill.
These things contrast sharply with the pre-
tended zeal for economy which leads the
House to cripple important branches OF the
public service by inadequate appropriations.
Empty professions do not satisfy intelligent
Independents. They have been led TO conclude
that there is quite as much Of insinccrity and
dcmagogism, quite as much readiness tU sac
rifce public good to partisanship, quite rs
strong % disposition TO use power and the pub
lie service for the reward of party hacks and
the promotion Of party success, in the Demo-
cratic az in the Republican organization.
Once for all, let it be understood that the
profound distrust of the Democratic party,
which now prompts Liberals and independents
to embrace with pleasure the opportunity of
supporting q good Republican ticket, is tie
result of Democratic misconduct. Mcn feel
that it is not possible to trust party which,
placed on trial during the Winter preceding a
Presidential campaign, has behaved so badly.
It's promises of retrenchment and reform,
tested by its acts, seem insncere. Its professed
readiness to "lct bygones be bygoncs" is
disproved by the persistent selection, in place
of the ablest and purest Independents, of men
whose chief virtue is that they did not oppose
rebellion. Its tendency toward reputation Is
such as to alarm every man who cares for the