Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-04-14
The ISSUES Of the Presidential Cam.
pntgn.

There can he no doubt that the most i'm
portant issue that can lie brought before theI
American voters this year is that of gener-l
al reform. Whether this issue will in fact
be made ii is too early 10 say. That will
depend on a variety Of circumstances. Pri-
marily, II will be determined by the NOM
nations of the two great parties. II one of
them should name n candidate OF rccog-
nized ability aud sincerity, whom every
one would recognize as devoted TO reform,
aud the other party should name an inferior
candidate, then tho issue would be made,
and might he made very distinctly. In
that case, The party making the good nom
inaton would be very greatly strengthened,
and its opponent greatly weakened, indie
pendent of all other issues. Party ties, as
they have heretofore exist ed, would not be
wholly broken. Ii would be absurd TO ex-
peel. that. They are too strong to be light
ly snapped. But the margin on which Ell
Their party can operate is not so liberal but
that change Of n relatively small number
of votes would give victory where il could
not otherwise DO had. This fact is Of spec
ial Importance TO the Republican party, be-
cause the voters whose hearts are most
firmly set upon reform have hitherto acted
mainly with that party. They are too hu-
nerous 10 be dsregarded, aud they can ca
silly be alienated. No consideration which
now seems likely to obtain, could hold
them ii bad nomination, or ono not dis
tincuy and obviously good is made. There
are other questions than reform which in
lna ~
as much as, or moro than, reform does
but there are enough Republicans TO whom
reform Is, at the present moment, Of more
value than all other things to defeat the
party next fall unless their desires are graf
lied. This would be sure TO happen IL tho
reformors were induced to so directly into
the Democratic ranks by a Democratic nom
inaii on conspicuously better than the Re-
publican nomination. 1t might happen, IL
the rcformers were sufficiently Disguised,
10 put in the field a third candidate, or TO
abstain from voting. Whether reform will
enter actively or merely passlvely, into the
campaign depends, therefore on the action
of the nominating conventions at Cincin-
natl and st. Louis, and especially upon that
Of the former.
OF nearly equal importance with the
question of reform, and closely akin TO il,
will be the question Of the currency. 1t is
hardly possible that this issue shall fail of
b cling sharply made. The majority OF the 4
Republican party is sound on this ques-T
ton. The majority ofthe Democratic partyI
iSunsouud. The correctness OF tLis conclu-
sion there is now no reasonable ground to
question. The course of the Democratic
majority in the House, and tho almost UNI
broken series of comnillals by the Repub.
lican conventions TO the policy Of resump-
ton, fix the attitude Of the two parties be-
yond any doubt. Tue simple fact that the
Republicans have placed upon the statute
book pledge 10 redeem the legal tenders
at specified time, and have firmly resist
ed the numerous attempts made by the
Democr ats 10 repudialo that pledge, makes
ii practically impossible TO evade or con-
fuse the financial issue. The course Of
events, moreover, is pressing their issue
upon both parties with an urgency that is all
the while increasing. The business Of the
country Is too much embarrassed TO allow
the question 10 fall into the background.
The people are divided as 10 the cause and
remedy of the condition of things which
has now prevailed SO long; but the num-
Der of those who think that there can be any
possible relief in initiation, o. without re-
sumption, is continually lessening. 1t is
lesseuing even more rapidly in the Repub-
lican ranks than in those Of the DemOcra-
cy. Everything points to the Republican,
party as the one likely lead the country oud
of the slough into which it has fallen, and
many things combine TO force the Demo-
cratic party into position Of champion
ship for the mischievous notions which |
have Ian ely dragged us into the slough.
1t also happens that il would be difficult |
for the Republican party to select a candi-
date who could hold the Republican re-
formers and win those in sympathy with |
them from the Democratic party without at
the same time choosing a representative Of |
sound financial ideas. Two powerful |
theref, re, incile the Repub- |
leans 10 make such a cluice. Whether |
they will do so, or whether their conven-
lion will be captured" by politicians work
ing for the advancement of one or another
purely partisan candidate, romans TO be |
seen. For ourselves, we shall refuse to be-
Ii eve, unless we are compelled 10 do so,
that the Republican organization will fail
10 respond to the s.erling sense and the sim
cere convictions of its members.
1t W ould be a great mistake TO suppose
hat reform and resumption, of however
vital importance they may be, are TO be the
D nly, or necessarily The controlling issues
his year. On tho contrary, whoever may
be named by either party, there are two
questions which will be warmly discussed,
and which will influence great many
votes. One Of these Is what is vaguely but
comprehensively known as the Southern
question. This will not be presented as a
choice between two defined lines of policy,
but as choice, rather, between Two oppo-
site ten denotes. A great many thousand
voters do not, and cannot, regard with in
difference the fatal facility with which the
Democrats in Congress have connected
The mselves with the lost cause and its adj
lerents. The preference given to Confed-
crate oldiers in the appointments of the
House the refusal 10 allow even vote on
he exemption of Jefferson Davis from am
lesIy the bitter harangues of such Con-
ederate llre-eaters as Hill, of Georgia; the
,hoice of a man as President of the Demo-
ratio caucus, whose declared ambition as
Senator is TO rank with jefferson Davis
he flood of Southern claim bills, and the
inability of the Democratic leaders to re-
press offensive demonstration by their Con-
ederale assoclates-all these are matters
which have produced profound impress
ii on upon the public mind. 1t is ques-
ion OF sentiment, undoubtedly, but senti-
nent is not a force TO be despised in po-