New-York tribune., 1877-03-10
REFORM FROM TIE INSIDE.

Republican politicians whose memories cover
period of not more than four years may pos
sbly recall the circumstance that III 1877
considerable number of Republicans, some OF
whom had been conspicuous III the party from
its organization and held high positions in its
councils, became discouraged at what they be-
lieved to be the corrupt and demoralizing ten
denotes of the Administration, and organized
revolt. DO any of the Republican leaders
who to-day are standing off from the
Administration of President Hayes ana
threatening to make war against it remember
the inducemcnt held out to the recusants at
that time to remain in the party DO they
remember the principal, indeed almost the
only argument they then urged against the
shortsightedness and unwisdom of the Liberal
Republicans It's a long, long time ago-four
years is an con in pOtics-and they probably
have forgotten all about it. We venture 10
remind them that the argument they then
used to induce the dissatisfied members
to remain in the organization was that
the only hope for reform was from
inside the party; the only practical way to
secure the reforms sought was to stay in the
party and work for them there. Reform the
great many sincere advocates OF reform lis
tened to it and remained, but considerable
number, viewing the denomination OF Gen. Grant
as fOregone conclusion, and having no hope
for any Improvement under his Administration,
refused to remain in the party and be bound
by its acts, its policy, or its nominations
How wisely they judged in refusing to trust
that Administration may be even now matter
of dispute, but we are certain that the b0itlng
Liberal Republicans are quite willing to leave
il to the record. 1t is true that they found the
Democratic party-with whom the circum-
stances of the case compelled them IN some
degree to affiliatc-tO be the same old Bourbon
organization more unfit than their opponents
for the responsibilities of power; but they
made that party useful as the whip of small
cords with which to drive the money changers
ont of the temple, and did not allow them
selves to be swallowed up in it or alb
sorbed by it. They pursued an independent
course, owning no allegiance to either OF the
great parties, but supporting whatever was
good and opposing whatever was evil III each.
And all the time the Republican leaders,
seeing their party growing weaker ana
gradually losing the confidence and support OF
the people, kept saying to the men who had
left them, "Come back and help us reform
"the party from the inside" Not until the
third-term aspirations of President Grant had
been effectuaIly extingnished, and the scheme
defeated, did there seem to be any encourage
ment for the advocates OF reform from
the Republican party. The events of the
past eighteen months have given them
hope. Republican Conventions in the several
States began to show disposition to shake off
the incubus of the Administration and to speak
out boldly, by their nominations as well as in
their resolutions and Platforms for change
of policy, for higher standards. more rigorous
tests of qualification for office, and purer
political tone. The National Convention, by its
selection Of candidates and its enunciatiOn OF
principles, furnished additional proof OF
sincere purpose of reform, and the letters of
acceptance of the candidates seemed to estab-
Iish the fact that the beneficent change in the
spirit and the tendencies of the party was
permanent and thorough
In this state of things we take leave to re-
mind the Republican leaders at Washington
who are threatening hostile demonstrations to-
ward the new Administration, that thousands of
voters who before had left the party because
they distrusted its professions of reform,
came back. They did accept the invitation
extended, and came back to see if the party
could be reformed, as suggested, from the in
side. Thus far they find nothing to complain
of in the conduct of the President, in the
nominations he has made or the policy he
has foreshadowed. He has not disappointed
them. lie seems to be in earnest in his
determination to redeem not only his
own but the promises of the party in
IFS conventions, and of these leaders on the
stump and to actually reform the party and
the Government from the inside. We see no
cause for dissatisfaction i'll this. Were these
gentlemen honest when they urged the Liberal
Repnblicans to remain in the old party and
reform it2 Did they mean what they said
when they promised it should be done and to
aid in the undertaking7 Did they believe the
party was honest when it held out such prom
iscs i'm its platforms or that the candi-
dates were sincere when they reiterated
them9 II so, why all this discomfort; why this
threatened hostility to an Administration which
thus far has done nothing except indicate "a
disposition to do what. was promised for 1t !
The thousands of voters who accepted your
invitation, Messrs. Republican Senators, to
come back and help reform the party from the
inside, and who saved your candidates and
party from defeat, are waiting for the work to
go on. You only stop the way. If you were
not deceving the people through the campaign,
cease needless opposition now, and let Presi-
dent Hayes redeem his promise and your own.
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Arctic EXPLORATiON.
The unsatisfactory result of Capt. Nares's
expedition will probably leave the Smiths