National Republican., 1878-09-05
CoNFIDE IN THE PEOPLE.

IL may rs we'll be understood. at this forming
period Of our Republican State convention, that
harmony" obtained at the expense Of an cmas-
culated platform Is not what Is demanded by the
interests of the party or of the country. No
better text than Mr.. CoNRLING's letter Is
needed to convince any fairly constituted con-
ycntion of this fact, But II would seem TO be
the immediate duty of all Republicans who
want a revival of the old time enthusiasm and
energy OF their party to see to II, at once, that
the delegates to the convention are men OF
high character and personal independence, who
Will not do any mans bidding but will be
ready aud free to act rs the great emergencies
and fearful perils of the situation shall demand
NciC York Mail
We fully agree with our cotemporary as
to the Importance of having the present and
future action of the Republican party in the
State Of New York, and for that matter in
every part Of the nation, marked with "har-
mony," which is born of fraternity, mutual
confidence and respect, and a high order OF
patriotic devotion, which impels TO unity of
| action, outside or inside the lines Of selfish
ambition and the petty envyiugs and ieal-
ousies which it engendcrs. But party his
tory has never rs yet opened up to the
American people any such millennium. The
nearest that we have reached that point is
when we have agreed upon platform OF
principles, and have submitted that creed to
the people for their adoption, trusting in
their intelligence and good faith to carry
the work to its consummation. And on
the other hand we are thrown TO an
extreme. position apart from the proposed
millennium of our respected cotemporary,
when we have manifested a distrust Of the
people and their intelligence, integrity, and
devotion to the right. They take the prin-
ciples of the party from its conventions, and
then by their own action eSemplify the
principles involved in selecting the men ia
represent them in public position. In this
the people must be trusted, without the in
reference of individual dictation, or har-
mouy cannot possibly be secured in party
relations. Trust in and respect for the
views and judgments of the masses, who
control the political character Of o republi.
can government, must be observed when
they decide upon and select candidates for
party support, or dissension will take the
place of " harmony and defeat will reward
the best efforts for success.
1t Is through this line Of policy that the
State of New York has recorded its vote in
favor Of Repubicanisni, and when II has
been departed from, and only then since
1e6O, have the Democrats secured q victory
in that great and important State. New
York is at heart Republican State by more
than $4,000 majority, and it asserts and
maintains that pre-cminence whenever
unity and harmony characterize the action
Of the Republican party. OF course there
are leading spirits in all parties, but success
comes only when those leaders trust the
people implicitly, and lead through that
spirit of trust. They are the best possible
judges of who they want to represent them
in the Presidential chair in Congress, in the
Legislature, or in conventions; and il is an
! impeachment of their good judgments and
intentions to direct or suggest even
what manner of men shall occupy high po-
sitions in the party, That question is dele.
gated to them peculiarly and it is far safe
to leave 1t there without Interference thar
to aCitate the popular mind by''a iactiona
and divided counsel. II is far safer to trust
the people than to introduce the machinery
of centending factions, if any such exist, to
shape results for tlA peculiar ends Of per
sonal ambition. What the people want il
good, wise, and just government, and ther,
is usually popular intelligence THAT is safe
to guide to that end than. a reliance upor
the discordant opinions of individuals of di
verse views and objects. So long as We
trust the people the welfare of the nation i
safe. When we withdraw that confdenc,
and attempt to shape matters to fit the end,
and aims of personal ambition, then tn
danger comes. No man should be permit
ted to stand in the way Of Republican sue
cess.