New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-02
TINE SCHURZ LETTER.

Mr. Carl Sclurz's recent letter to Mr.. often
dorfcr bristlcd with telling points and con-
vincino arguments which ought not to be
allowed to drop out of sight in the course OF
tbe canvass. They so fairly and fully cover
the field of debate that they cannot he too
often rcpcated, and certainly should not be
forgotten. Always sound in his logic and very
clear and satisfactory in his reasoning, ME-
Sclr,rz has been unusually happy in his treat
mcnt of the present political situation. lie
cvades nothing. c0nceals nothing; does not
prevaIicate or dodge; uses none OF the
arts of the advocate, but talks straight
on. and says what he manifcstly be-
lcves whether it helps or hurts.
How completely and braycly he represents the
wiscst and best of those who desire reform OF
the public service has never been more fully
shown, even by his career in the Senate, tlan
by this letter. There is in 1T all the rare
couragc, the answering fidelity Ia his own
convictions, which makes one a leader among
men. and, with that an acutcncSs OF reasoning
and clcarncss of statement which explain his
influence upon public opinion Men listen be-
cause they learn, and are convinced because
his reasons are convincing.
On the money question his task was easy
Thousands of independents rs kccnly as ho
felt that the Democratic party "arralgnS the
Republican for great sins OF OMISSION chiefly
"to raise a dust for the cOnccalmcnt Of It's
Gown far worse record" Thousands also
realize that the Democratic platform contains,
~ TuE TRIBUNE stated Immediately after It's
adoption, only one specific declaration of pur-
posc-the demand for repeal of the RcSump-
ton act. 1t was fitting, since Mr. Goodwin has
recently asserted that Mr.. SchuH chad
come to regard" this act as q pledge of the
public faith, that he should speak with cmpha-
ii, upon this topic He shows that this de
mlnd has been the battlc-cry of the imitation
ISIS; that it was inserted in the platform IN
spite of protest, rs Il concession to ANA "a
"moral victory of the intiatIorsts;' and that
il was accepted only because - the Convention
could not rctrogradc further without running
"cvcry chance of success for the Democratic
"party in the State of New-Io,k." In view
of these facts the men who trample upon their
convictions are not those who still resist Ills
surrender but those who, for the sake of win
ming a party victory, consent TO 1t, knowing
that il is a surrender.
4, to the reform of the civil service, the most
SlllkluE pi~0'l' VI WV i''''i - ''''' III ''''
Mr.. Schurz shows that the true reform is not
| a mere change of Republican for Democratic
parti,ans IN office. That this is the usage of
party is admitted, but Mr.. SchuH puts the
whole truth in nutshell when he says,
"Such Il usage of party must cease before
d" civil service reform can begin AcknOwl-
cdging, with the franlncss which little men
never feel that they can afford, that he did
not know AL about Mr.. Hayes before the Con-
vcnton. did not know that ne had previously
expressed the same views of reform which he
now expresses, and would have supposed that
he was mot the man To present such
! programmed as that contained III his
letter of acceptance, Mr.. Schuz concludes
that " the man who in the critical period before
election has sufficient courage ami fidelity To
:. his convictions to issue such manifesto, will
also have the courage after election to resist
| "whatcvcr hostile influences may surround
"hm." In this belief the very large majority
of independent voters join with Mr.. Schuz
They trust Gov. Hayes, not SO much because
he has been right in other times when it was
easy, as because, in the face of influences the
strength of which he well knows. he boldly
tells the SpoiIsIncn, the ring-mastcrs, and the
machine politicians of the Republican party, ut
| the beginning of campaign, " If You elect me-
! :" shall not be found your tool or your friend