New-York tribune., 1876-07-22
uR. p1RKE GODWINs LLTrEE.

n. =
We surrender a large portion OF our space
this morning to the letter OF Mr.. PaTke God
win addressed to the members OF the late ruin
Avenue Conference, in which that gentleman
discusses the political situation at length. AS
a member Of the Executive Committee ap-
pointed by the Conference, the functions OF
which seem % have been terminated by the
action of the two National Conventions, Mr.
Goodwin desires to offer his reasons for differ
ing with the opinions already expressed ana
dissenting from the conclusions reached by
many of his colleagues. His relations to the
Conference aid his own reputation as an able
and vigorous writer upon political topics en'itle
him to a iar hearing, and his letter VIII no
doubt he read with interest by the general
public as well as Ivy those to whom II Is specially
addressed. The letter contains mach that the
Republican supporters of Hayes and Wheeler
must admit the truth and justice OF,
while theY deny the force of his argu-
mcnt and disscut entirely from the conclusion
he has reached. His arraignmcnt of the Adj
Eini%utiou for the corruption and mlsrulc
which have grown mp under it, and the ac-
companying description OF the gigantic evils
that have been cngendered by the dishonesty
and inc0mpctcncy OF Democratic politicians
and leaders, present viyidy and in powerful
language Il picture OF the political condition
Of the county for the past five or SIX years
which must b, admitted 10 be not oycrdrdwn,
Int true e. the life. OF Coy. Tilden he speaks
in such terms as might be expected from
lifelong friend and ardent admrcr. II the
tints seem little too warm and the figure
t;ihe too heroic, allowance must bo made for
the paltiaty OF an old friend and the fond
ness that grows out Of long and intimate
acquaintance. 1t is possible that Mr.. God"in
has, without actually misreprescDtins the Gov
ernor, somewhat idcllzod him, and presented
as an ideal rather than real character. We
suspect, too, thit ne has ulconsciousy done
Injustice to the character Of GOV. Hayes, who
is bv 10 means 50 weak and insignificant
person as Mr.. GOdwin's description OF him.
would imply.
Without undertaking, however, to consider
the letter in detail we may say that Mr. God
win seems to us TO have failed to meet the
strongest points in the argument against the
Democratic party and in favor of the Rcpub-
lcans That the Republican party hs been
dcrclict Iii duty and has suffered thc country
to lapse into Il condition of mi,rue calculated
apprehension aud alarm is only TOO true. 1t
viii he admitted W many who do not believe
that The remedy lies in the direction OF Dem
ocgatic success. That Gov. Tildcn has done
excellent work IL the Executive chair, and that
he is personally sound on the currency ques-
ton and OF irTeproachable private character, are
also cbccrfuly admitted. Were this ques-
ton between two persons and not one OF
policies and parties and principles, there
would he little TO choose between the
two candidates. But it seems TO u5
that Mr.. Goodwin has not sufficiently cOnsid-
cred the forces at work behind these candi-
dates, the organizations OF which they are the
leaders, and the purposes which these organ
lied bodies are intending TO work ont IN the
event Of success. There is a prevalent con-
viction On the part Of the public that the po-
liticai organization which puts Mr. iiiden for
ward ms its candidate and representative cannot
he trusted upon any of the important pending
issues, and that however much Mr.. TIldcn ami
the few sincere and earnest friends OF reform
who are acting with him may desire to fulfill
the promises the party made before the
election. they will be ovcrbOrne and rendered
powcrcss hy the hungry MASSES OF politicians
behind them. Unhappily the Democratic party
has invariably, when the opportunity has oc-
Cured To do it, furnished excellent reasons for
this popular prejudice. 1t has nowhere shown
either the capacity for affairs or the dspo-
siion to act honestly. Were there nothiHg
else in the way, the behavior Of the present
Conglcss woald he n sufficient bar to re-
ncwal of public confidence in its fitness or It's
integrity. We do not need TO cnumerate
causes for this The simple truth is that the
pcoplc 30 not believe in the party which has
nominated Mr. Tillcn, and the one fact OF
his nomination Will not suffice to redeem It's
lost character. Indeed in the very act of his
nomination the party has given evidence of
its inSincerity by uniting with him on the
ticket the foremost representative OF political
hercsics which Mr.. lIlden opposes and Mr..
Parle Goodwin condemns.
At the same time that we differ with Mr..
Goodwin in his views of the duty Of citizens
in the pending election we can understand
how he and others who act with him may be
perfectly sincere and as pure and patriotic in
their motives as any Of those who oppose them.
We chcorGuly give his letter to the public as
contribution to political literature far
above the average OF such documents in its
tone and temper ..pd in its phOsophic view.
And should anything serious happen as the
return Of the Democratic party to power We
SHALL certainly hope that Mr.. Tiden will be
able to withstand his own party, and be to the
country all that Mr. Goodwin hopes.
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THE N1HION1L CONGR1TULdTION