The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-05-23
From the Inter-Ocean.l
Pluck Wanted.

| Two Ohlo Republican journals conceive
that their party in that State may profit
ably expend its combative powers next
fall upon the Democrats and Nationals
without raising issues as to the conduct
of the administration This is doubtless
true, but it is at the same time impor-
tant that the party should stand on Re-
publican ground, strike from the Repub-
lican line, and battle for Republican prin-
ciples. No bullets will hit the friends of
the party unless those friends are found
on the wrong side of the breastworks. 1t
is not unnatural that local party which
stood such a jealous sponsor for Mr..
Hayes as twice to seat him in a Cover
norship, should be 10th to reprehend his
errors IN the yet higher Executive trust
which he occupies. We can respect the
almost paternal solicitude of that party
to guard his reputation, in view of the
unchallenged fact that within the bor-
ders of Ohio he was an exemplary citizen
and scrupulous steward and we have
no desire to be captious in our exceptions
to his more recent conduct Far from it.
But q great party cannot kiss the hand
that smites it without endangering its
morale, and confesslng weakness which
! presages dissolution and defeat To
indorse the administration means, of
course, to become party to the policy
which has divided and disheartened Re
publicans all over the land, North and
South. Even silence in the face of error
is virtual absolution.
Mr.. Hayes has erred if at all, not as an
Ohio man, but as national servant, and
the national party from which he receiv-
ed his credentials must share with him
the responsibility of his course just SO
far as it does not explicitly disclaim it.
Nl,o Il ,,tr Al.
Ohio much as the prodigal distribution
of patronage within her especial arena
might import such persuasion at the
White House. The Ohio Republican
party is but very respectable division of
that. national party, and under its allegi-
ance to the latter, and to the principles
that animate the latter has no warrant
to dismiss what has aggrieved the party
from Maine to the Gulf as mere senti-
mental issues We do not refer to the
Southern question alone, the inequitable
solution of which for the nonce has cost
the party two States and the administra-
ton its reputation for fair play, and per-
haps even more. The Republican could
always afford to be aggressive hitherto,
because it had had the courage of high
motive, and had no wrong in ambush to
defend which it had to forego an ad-
vance forward against the enemy. The
Grecian warrior who strobe with his
broad shield around his wounded COM
rade to avert hostile shafts, could not |
contest the ground ahead; and it is
in just this way the Ohio division |
of the Republican party will be de-
tered from making brave progress if its
convention shall charge it with police |
duty as mere administration body |
guard. 1t will result in a practical
of the points of vantage in
the battlefield to the Democrats and the
Ohio Republicans should profit by their
own experience of last year, when they
lost not only the State, but also 80, 261
votes for standing by the Presidents
policy brethren in Pennsylvania
10000 votes, by reason of the same un-
wisdom.
But here let us ask whether our Ohio
friends cannot see that they are rein
forcing rather than antagonizing the ma
tional and their local Democracy so long
as they applaud surrenders to the former
What is the policy" they
will support either by their reticence or
Oy quasi Endorsement? policy that
permits the Lamais and Gordons to col
ect daily toll in patronage at the thresh-
hold of the executive office at Washing
ton; that has sacrificed the very States
put for whose electoral votes Mr.. Tilden
would be President at this hour; that has
perhaps forever, the Republi-
,an voters in Mississippi q ,l68 votes last
,lection), Virginia 1889 only last elec-
ion), Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina,
md other Southern States; that has es-
ranged almost every one of our great
,uh1io and -aiOhihS nf the Rn-
publican party of the country. which
Knew its will, declared in convention at
and so keenly feels the dis
steem exhibited therefor by the Presi
lent that it cannot consistently and
Without abasement recant that will by
of the President. Can we
ight Democrats by encouraging the
President to disarm ourselves and to
quip them? We cannot believe that
he Ohio Republicans are willing to ex I
1t over their principles policy" which
las but little fibre at best, and which is
n total contravention of those principles.
f they practically accept Mr.. Hayes as
heir leader, their Agamemnon, the
ear, carry out the parallel of tradition,
nd prevail. There is many an Achilles,
$ was dead old Ben Wade, chafing in his
ent, and without whose leadership upon :
he honest issues of the party, the Tro-
ans will never be dispersed. The voice
ast year of Des Moines or Of Rochester, !
the voice for Ohio, unless the Republi- |
ans of that State have declined, as we
annot believe, from champions of prin- 9
iple to lackeys of an administration.
republican principles will survive scores
f adminst trations and are vital condi- !
ions of the Republics health. o