New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-09
THE PEPUBLICAN OUTLOOK.

Republican Congressman, having in view
elections this Fall, are considering what they
shall do to be saved. The caucus last week,
it is said, was mainly for this purpose. 1t
would have been well for Republican members
if they had considered the matter little
earlier. Three years ago they united on the
currency question, and escaped general defeat.
Had they done as well this year, victory
would not now be as difficult. Other Issues
give little assurance of success. Southern
appropriations and Southern claims will
prove an important topic in the next
canvass, but 1t Is still possible for the
Democrats to make it much less effective by
killing all bills of that nature. In proportion
as they fear defeat, they will be cautious.
Reform of the Civil Service Republicans
might have demanded with great effect,
against Democratic professions illustrated
by Democratic practice, had the President and
Republican members of Congress agreed. As
it is. some Republicans will assail the Presi-
dent, and others will hold Republican Con-
gressmen and managers responsible Tor Ill
success. The money question remains. And
this many Congressman would like to dodge.
The prevailing opinion in the caucus it is
said, was that tins question should be ignored,
in a party sense, and that each member should
be left free to adapt himself to the feeling
in his district But this would be a complete
revolution in the policy of the Republican
party. At every National convention since
the war, the party has made strong and eff
fectve appeal to th3se who care for the pub
lie faith and for a Sound currency. Its pledges
have been unequivdcal but its choice Of can
l., -, al oHJo1 ,hoc
| and meaning to its pledges. The party has
won more than once, and 1t Is alive
| to-day, because it has been rccOg-
nized as the only organized defence
of the National faith. Departure from that
position would disgust and ALLEVIATE many who
have been its strongest friends, and would cost
| it more votes at the East, and i'll doubtful
districts at the West also, than it could gain
from opponents of n sound currency and pub
lie honor. 1t is mere madness to attempt to
rival the Democratic party i'll pandeTng to
infatiOnists and regulators. Under any cir
cumstances, 1t would be madness, as long
as the Republican party is known to
depend for large share of its sup
port upon the elements which favor hard
money and public honor But the mad
ness Is the less excusable when the party is
committed, by its President, its Secretary of
the Treasury, and majority of the Cabinet,
| to faithful performance of It's pledges. Men
who want to repeal the Resumption Act, to
| disregard those pledges, and to reach initiation
or reputation, will hardly be won by the pro-
| LESSONS of individuals, when the executive
officers of the Government, as well as the
! formal pledges of the party, commit it to a
| different course. Every Republican speaker
| who eountenances initiation or pOstpOnement
of resumption, under such circumstances, edu-
Gates men to vote the Democratic ticket.
The danger is the greater because the so
| called National party has gained great
strength III many localities once strongly Re
publican. Congressman who have nWsed and
countenanced financial heresies have brought
this about, and everywhere it is found that
the Democratic party loses little and the Re
publican party loses much, as this element
grows. Further encouragement for their
notions will only enable these foes of the
public faith to gain more largely of
Republican votes, and Republican mem
bers who mean it least, and fancy that
they are most cunningly evading the issue,
OF fiatteriDg a popular prejudice, will surely
find at the end that they have unwittingly
done most to prepare men to vote an indie
pendent or Democratic ticket. They per-
suade themselves that they are cunning, even
while they artistcally cut their own throats.
Any attempt TO dodge this question will enor-
mously increase the hostility to Republican
measures at the West and South, and drive
many voters of that sort to vote against the