New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-10
4 WOpD or UIRNJNG

The object Of TIE TRIBUNE, all through
this miserable misunderstanding between the
Senate and the President On the subject Of
appointments, has been to save the unity and
fighting force Of the Republican party for
the alarming crisis which is now upon
u. We are threatened with the gravcst
danger which has confronted the United states
since the war Of the rebellion, and recent
votes on the Silver Bill show how imminent
it is All the dishonest elements OF the
population and all the Iunatic fnancicrs
have united with ravcnous and solid
South for an attack upon the Ma
tional Treasury and the National honor.
On the one hand, a wholesale reputation of
debts, on the other frishtful depletion of
the public funds by subsidies, grants, and
rebel claims - these are the twin objects
of the alliance which now startles
rs with its first successes, and aiiiights
the country with forebodings of disgrace and
ruin. All the foundations Of public faith and
private prosperity are attacked. The strength
of this combination has long been suspected by
close Observers of the currents Of opinion ;
now that it is disclosed, the nation is struck
with dismay.
Nothing but The Republican party can save
us from universal bankruptcy and inellaceable
disbonor. In such an hour Of danger it Is the
worst of folly to quarrel over the dis
posal Of patronage, or to stand upon
points of privilege and punctiio. He
shows the highest sense Of duty and prOpricty
who is readicst to yield nOn-essentials for
the sake of strengthening the party. He
wins the grandest victory VINO most en-
tirely subordinates his policy and his
ambition to the defence Of the public faith.
| We have frankly censured the errors and
vacillations of the President in dealing with
the question now at issue between him and
Mr.. Conkling, and have warned him that he was
imperilling grave interests by forcing a con-
test over Messrs. Arthur and Cornell. In re-
moving these officers under the compromising
circumstances, and with the extraordinary
committals in which he has been involved, the
! President comes in conflict with his own pin
ciples of reform and the struggle creates 4
! lamcutablc discord.
In the case OF General Sharpe, however the
conditions are quite different. lie was not re-
moved He is out of Office by the expiration
! of his term. General Merritt, who has been
nominated in his place, is entirely unoljcc-
! tionable, and when Mr. COnlling withhold,
! his confirmation, 1t is he, and not the Presi-
dent who disturbs the harmony of the party,
and endangers the best interests OF
! the Nation. Mr.. Conkling seems TO be
committing, in the case Of General Merritt
precisely the same fault with which his friend,
tax Mr. Hayes IN the cases OF Mr. Roosevelt
and Mr. Prince He is risling by this mistake
| the advantage he has unquestiolably
gained by the issue Of the New
York election, and by his subsequent
successes in the Senate. More than that, he j.
placing himself in position wholly indcfen-
| sibe. His friends everywhere say for him that
he has 10 objections to General Merritt. None
have been produced in any reputable
quarter 1t is a nomination approved by both
wings of the party, and by the general com
mon sense of the people. There is an actual
vacancy which should be filed. A lit man is