New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-01
prprRIICANs WITHOUT A LEADER.

-,,npv THE DICTATOR OF HIS PARTY-GOv.
HAYES DECLINES To INTERFERE-THE NEED OF
STRONG LEADER IN CONGRESS.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
pc.suxcroy. Now 30.-There is in one respect
-.norable difference between tho present positions
81 the two parties. The Democrats have recog-
D;7ed leader. The Republicans have none. NO step
Il taken by Democrats in any part OF the Union
likely TO affect the interests OF their national organ
ization without consultation with Gov. Illden. lie
tool, command of the party Immediately after his
ra;Uoton at St Louis. and his hold upon it since
49, oloot;on has been more firm than before. From
al noTts of the country his partisans make pilgrim
aces To New-York to hail him as dictator and ask for
his orders. His instructions are obeyed without
ouestion. Few of his adherents even venture TO
offer suggestions The politicians who come aud go
at Mr. Tilden's house in Gramercy Park are like
aids-de-camp bringing news and conveying
commands 1t is believed that Gov. Tllden
directs every move that promises to have
any bearing on the result from looking up the case
of disqualified elector in Oregon to making bold
stroke for the whole electoral vote of South Caro-
lima
On the other hand the Republicans have no leader.
Gov Hayessummons no councils of politicians. The
prominent men of the party, knowing his infexible
purpose to maintain dignifed reserve while wait
ING for the decision of the Electoral Colleges do not
trouble him with their visits In no way does he
appear to desire TO influence the action of his party.
He holds himself aloof from the game as though he
were disinterested spectator. The Republican
policy, if shaped at all by anything except circun-
stances and public opinion, is shaped from Washing
ton But it would be hard to name any one man
here, or even any five men, whose dictum could
be considered authoritative. President Grant
may be said to be ofciO the party chief, but he
appears to act from his convictions OF his duty
as Chief Magistrate, and not with much
regard to the welfare of the Republican organi2a-
tion as for example the South Carolina complca-
tons In desperate contest for supremacy like the
one now wagng the Democrats appear to be stronger
for having an able and dictatOrial leader; but the
Republicans, being made of different stuff and always
prOspering better when they have liberty of indl-
vdual judgment and action, appear to be standing
together in the present emergency with unbroken
front as their adversaries
The Republican members Of the House now here
appear disposed to give the vote of their party for
Speaker to Gen. Garfield. Now that Mr.. Blaine goes
to the Senate Garfield is generally looked upon as
the most influential man on the minority side of the
House. If the Republicans should unite in giving
him the complimentary nomination for Speaker,
such action would be a virtual recognition of him as
their leader Serious mistakes have been made by
Gen. Garfield in his public career, but many consider
him in culture intellectual power, and legislative
experience, as having few equals in Congress The
leadership of the minority during the approaching
session is position of importance. The
Republicans will have to struggle against a
fierce majority concentrating all its energies to the
one end of grasping the prize Of the Presidency.
Last Winter by brilliant strategy and a series of
impetuous attacks, the minority succeeded in pre-
venting their sdversaries from gaining many advan-
tages, and before the session ended in midsummer
they had inflicted upon them number Of mortify-
ing defeats. The odds will be more heavily against
the minority this session. because the Democrats
will unquestOnably display greater solidarity, and
will seek to carry all their points by the weight of
their heavy majority impelled by the orders of the
caucus and aided by rulings from the chair The
Republicans therefore, will need an able leader