New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-31

How politicians do delight in three cOrnered
duelsl 1t is the old story; il some Republican
leaders have their way, we are to see Republi-
canism in Ohio making a vigorous defence of
the Presidents Southern policy, while Democ-
racy in Ohio is making vigorous war upon the
Resumption Act. The children OF light, as
usual, are not wise in their generation. Ii they
mean to fight an enemy with effect they must
fight him where he is, and not where he IS
not. The Democrats will make no issue about
the Southern policy of the President for they
cannot. But they will appeal with great force
10 all the prejudice and ignorance III the State
on the money question, and such an appeal
has been with difficulty met and defeated i'll
other campaigns where the Republicans did not
evade the issue. If they turn their backs, talk
about something else, and leave the financial
policy of the Government undefendcd and the
false notions Of nti-ReSumptiOnists unas-
sailed. il will not be strange if they are beaten
1t would be a very great misfortune, for the
Rnpublicans of Ohio and for the country, if
the contest in Ohio should take this shape.
The Presidents Southern policy is not living
issue in politics, and nobody can make it one
except the Southern people themselves what
the President has done he has done Men may
praise or blame it, critcise or hesitate about
if. but they cannot change IT. Moreover, 1t Is
essentially question which rested with him,
and not with the people. 1t was his duty, not
theirs. to decide what he ought to do under
tbe Constitution, and it Is within bis power,
and is not within their power, to perform
that duty. Having been elected; he was
comnellcd TO ask himself what the Con-
stitution required Holding that it required
him to remove troops previously employed at
the South. he removed them. Results have fol-
lowed which could not he changed one hairs
breadth by q majority OF 100000 IN ONO III
favor of or against his course. An appeal to
the people for ratification of the President 8
convictions as to his sworn duty would be ut
terly out of place, if it were not entirely too
late. Nor can it be said that the time has yet
come to expect from popular vote reason
able and enlightened verdict upon the expedi-
enoy and the results of that course. Upon that
oucstion no State should be asked to vote
now; upon the question of constitutional duty
no State can properly be asked TO vote at all.
ON the other hand, it would be most
shameful and probably most fatal, for the
Republicans of Ohio TO dodge discussion on the
money question. That is vital issue. Action
in Congress at the very next session may
blacllen the name and stab the credit of the
Union-and has Ohio nothing to sayf The
Democrats of that State speak sharply and
with courage, if not with justice or reason.
They attack with vig0r measure devised in
Republican caucus, passed by Republican ma
iorities in both Houses, justified by Repubi-
cans in the last campaign, and which is even
now being executed by a. Republican Admin
istration The full responsibility for that
measure Republicans cannot shiIk if they
would. Democrats will not let that RESPONSE
bility be ignored. They demand the repeal
of the act, and make living issue, immeas-
urably more important than any other, upon
which they demand and will secure verdict
from tire people. The Republicans will have
to meet them, sooner or later. or be beaten.
The policy OF evasion was tried in 1875. Con-