The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-20

concession deprives the Republican
party Of all the political capital 1t
might have made i'm the resumption of
specie payments. II has gone back
upon its own record; II has given lIp the
| legislation Of d Republican Congress
IT has retreated from resumption in
1879 and taken refuge in vague general
ties about resumption 'at the earliest
practicable period" which is. In
effect. an indefinite postponement
of specie payments This is precisely
the ground OF the Western inflationists.
The Republican party has stultifled
itself by abandoning its Legislative
promise to resume In 1879. It remains
TO be seen whether the Democratic party
is wise enough TO take advantage OF this
blunder. But whether IL does or not
the Republicans have put II out of their
power to help their canvass by claims
founded on their hard money position.
The net requiring resumption in 1879 has
been strangled by the Cincinnati Con-
vention. which has substituted for 1t q
vague promise to resume specie pay
ments 'at the earliest practicable
period" which may be as many
years hence Ms the soft money men
of the West may think fit.
The resolution on the school question
IL an appeal to the Protestant feeling Of
the country and an attempt TO turn hos
tiity to the Catholic Church to political
account The position taken by the
Cincinnati Convention on the school
question IL right in itself. but the sub
ject Is beyond the domain OF national
politics The public schools are sup
ported out OF taxes levied by the State
governments. There Is no State in the
Union in which the Protestants are not
in majority of six or seven to one
They can protect tho public schools
wherever they think them endangered
without the aid of the Federal Govern
ment. It is absurd to drag this question
into national politics, and il the Repub-
lican party did not feel that 1t Is losing
its hold on public confidence. it would
not have made this appeal 10 sectarian
animosities.
The Candidates.
New York TribuneJ
The action OF the Cincinnati Conven-
tion yesterday was something Of u sur
prise. but 1t will command the approval
of large majority Of Republicans. and
the ticket will have the cordial support
of the whole party. Gov. Hayes Ia
man Of whom 1t is impossible to say
word OF evil Personally he is not only
above reproach, but above suspicion
There are no dark corners in his history
which need investigation or have ever
set the tongue OF scandal waggng. He
has been distinguished soldier, an in
corruptible Congressman, an able and
popular Governor. Outside of Ohio he
has been almost unknown until recent
ly; but the high regard in which he is
held by his own people Is the best
testimony to his private character.
Mr. Wheeler like Gov. Hayes, is
sound Republican from conviction and
not from the love of Office. Like Gov.
Hayes, also, he is a thoroughly and con
spicuously honest man, to whom inves-
tigation can bring no embarrassment.
but only brighter credit. While he is
In full accord with his party, he is re-
with honor by the Indepen-
dents for his admirable conduct i'm the
Louisiana investigation and the dig
niiied and temperate report in which he
rebuked the errors Of tho Administra-
tion in dealing with that unfortunate
State. His name is the very strongest
that could have been chosen for effect
upon New York
Hayes, of Ohio.
IN Y. Sunl
Hayes is q candidate whose weakness
md unimportance are his principal
to the Republican
party. His record Is brief and slight. |
though he is ffty-four years old. He
was an Ohio lawyer. served for time
IN the army. was twice sent TO Congress. |
and was thrice elected Governor of
Ohio-beating Bill Allen for the Office
last fall. In the army he was service
able officer; In Congress he was one Of
The obscurest Of its members, and in |
The Governors Office he has performed |
inn 81 ~
him in a way that excited that particu-
lar comment. His name in Congress or
elsewhere has been identified with no
policy, or measure, or action Of any
kind. He has no marked powers that
have been brought into play; he has no
strong points Of character; he has been
Dut a lucky man In politics. When Ex-
fov. Noyes nominated him In the Con-
,ention on Thursday, he mentioned as
,ne Of his most distinguished qualitica-
ions that he was man against whom
nothing could be said. These points OF
Hayes character, and these features Of
lis career, are interesting enough; but
hey do not prove him to be fit man
or President in times when Recommend
ltions Of a stronger and more positive
lind are required.
Above all, Hayes is no reformer. He
8 not the man to clean out political
to destroy the desperate
ings which have got hold Of the coun-
ry, or to do anything to obliterate the
Of Grantism. He Is man
Who, in the Presidency, would run the
machine In as easy and unobjectionable
way as he could; but he would run 1t
n the old ruts; and this Is about the
worst thing that could be said Of any
nan who desires TO become the sue
essor of Grant.
In regard to the financial question, he
will be suited exactly to the thin plank
4 the Cincinnati platform. In regard
o the anti Catholic question, the plank
n that subject will be satisfactory to
i'm. During his last campaign for
Governor, he was sustained by the
nti-C Catholic sentiment of Ohio, which,
erhaps, had more to do than anything
lse with his election. The whole plat
,rm will suit him, as 1t was the work
the machine, and as be himself is the I,
l-k - D M AoIx 2vA |