New-York tribune., 1876-01-20
Ills DENOCRACT PRINCIPLESf

that the Republicans were incapable of get
ting beyond tie war, incompetent TO effect
any of the practical reforms which the cOun-
! Try demands, and prone to stave OIL those re-
forms by continually reviving the passions and
bitter memories of the war. II iIr. Blaine
had intended to prove that charge well founded,
conld he have done so more eilcctuJiIy than
by his recent speech
The constant charge Of Republicans has
been that the Democrats have no prin-
ciples but only prrjudices; no beliefs OF
any kind but only an absorbing greed
for Office no convictions that they are not
ready to sacrifice for party success, and
no care for reform except as a hollow and
dishonest prctcxt for turning their opponents
out of power. If the Democratic leaders had
intended 10 prove that charge well founded
| could they have done ~ mono choctnally than
by their organization of the House, and their
treatment Of the currency question
These Democrats professed an intense anX-
icty for a pure, efficient, and non-partlsan
civil service. How Indignantly they pointed
TO the use of public Office by RCpublicans to
reward party workers or promote party ends !
But they come into power in tie House, and
instantly, as if by magic, every Democratic
rcformcr becomes a participant in the scramble
for place and power, the capital Is bcSieged by
an army OF hungry spells hunters, ana oiil-
GERS and clerks OF long experience and tried
fidelity are turned ont to make room for men
who are experienced only in Democratic wire
pulling and tried only i'll the Confederate SER
vice. l. this the reformed, non partisan ser
vice we were promised On the contrary. no
Democrat pretcnds that he has the slightest
desire for such service, II the House where
his party Las the power To all appearance
the professions Of these men wcIo false and
fraudulent. Not the fIintcSt suspicion OF zeal
for reform in the public service appears where
they have the power 10 divide til spoilN they
object to partisan service only when 1t Is not
in the control of tier party.
These Democrats, again, pr0fcSScd certain
fixed convictions about the currcncY. They
were divided, it is true; somo profcsscd to
believe that the Republican party by pro
posing spcce resumption had been robbng
tho people, and particularly the people
Of the West and South, for the benefit oi
bondhollcrs and bankers Others rfcfc-scd to
feel intense and holy Indignation because the
Ecpublican patty had paltcrcd with 50 vital n
question, had tarni>hod the public honor by
needles, delay, and had iu-ultcd the country
by making PLEDGES 10 resume without intending
to resume, or taking adequate measures 10 So
cnrc resumption. If these two classes oi Dem
ocrats were honest, they could not posi-
biz agrcc. If either had any convictions
whatever, those convictions should have made
II impo,siblo to countcnancc such 4 bill as that
of Mr.. Pavne or that of Mr. Morrison. For
if apy Democrat honestly believes that specie
paymcnts are impossible, and that the attempt
to reach resumption j. an attempt to rob the
millions of producers for the benefit of money
lenders, he must spurn with unutterablc loath-
ing the proposal to pile up gold wrung from
| the earnings Of the people by taxation, Tor the
/ purpose in his view a; once futile and rascaily
/ of raising the price of grccnbdcEs 10 par.
But any Democrat who honestly believes that
the Republican pledge was n cheat because II
was not accompanied with measures for its
fuI,illmcnt that the honor of the country has
been tarnishcd by needless delay in rcstora-
/ ton Of the currency, that business and
/ industry demand % settled policy" speedy
resumption; no steps backward must
realize that the repeal OF the act Of
1875. the indefinite potponcment of re-
sumption, the refusal to adopt simple meas
urcs suggested by the Secretary OF the Treasury
TO redeem that pledge, would bc an act OF
| treacbcry, cowardice, and unspeahablc injury
| 10 the country. But what do these Democrats
propose I? To repeal the pledge of resumption,
! and vet to continue, with less rapidity, the
niling up of coin which the present law re-
ouires. Do these Democrats fancy that the
voters in this country are fools 7 DO they
supnose men will not see that the Democratic
leaders, whether hard money or soft money by
profession, are ready to throw away all prin-
cpe, barter off all convictions and sacrifice
all public interests, for the sake OF securing
the harmony and promoting the success Of
the party"
We beg to inform the Democratic leaders
that they undcnate the intelligence and the
sincerity of the people. Their own followers
will scorn them for so vile dodge rs this.
The innationists and repudia,ionists are vicious
and ignorant, but they are in earnest. They
believe something. Watch the prediction ::
they will toss into the nearest political ditch
the shallow persons who have gained places in
Congress because their professions were salts
factory, but who really believe nothing, and are
ready to barter away every interest of their
constituents for party success. Not less honest
are the hard d-mOney voters, Democrats and
Independents, whose votes have saved De-
mocracy from complete rout by giving it the
victory where it has promised "nO steps back
"ward.n Let Democracy take this step back
ward. and men who take or cOuntenancc it will
soon learn what the people think OF it. This
is not n good time for political wolves in
sleeps clothing. The man who would rcpu-
diate q snlemn nledge Of the public faith may