New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-07
TIE PRESIDENT 1T ST PAUE.

The address of President Hayes at st. Paul,
though in all respects a good one, was
particularly effective in its bearing upon issues
which the President did not mention. Care
fully regarding the propTietIes of his position,
he SAID not one word in reference to the merits
or dement's of either political party, or the
claims of either to public confidence. His adj
dress was one which perfectly compOrted with
the character of a non-political assemblage,
and with the official station he fills. 1t was a
clear and dispassionate review of the financial,
commercial and industrial tnumDhs of the
Nation since the close of the war. Indeed. the
Presidents statement can the less be regarded
as an extravaganza prompted by pat, or
partisanship because, in an article recently
published, the very highest tribute was most
eloquently paid to American integrity and
financial management, by the ablest Minister
of Finance Great Britain has had since the days
of Pitt. When a President of the United States
paints the achievements of his country, with
more fulness of detail, indeed, but not with
more warmth Of cOloring than an eminent
EnglIshman, it cannot be said that he fOrgets
the dignity and grave responsibility OF the
statesman in the eagerness OF the partisan or
the enthusiasm of the patriot.
And yet this grave address, careful in state
ment and lofty in tone, is one of the best
campaign documents for the Republican party
that could be issued. For it shows what the
country has achieved under Republican guild
ance. 1t shows what has been achieved in
spite of Democratic opposition at every step.
1t shows what benefcent and glorious results
have been secured by that very feature of
Republican policy which is now the main point
of attack by opponents of the Republican
panty. 1t is not possible to vindicate a party
more grandly than by showing that a naked
and faithful recital of its deeds is the strong
est argument that can be made in its behalf.
When no argument is needed, when
the magnificent result speaks for itself
to all the world. winning the high
est praise from the nOblest and ablest
men of other lands, then indeed it comes to
pass that the truthful historian, the sincere
and patriotic statesman, must perfOrce DEM
onstrate anew the right of that party to pub
lie confidence whenever he speaks faithfully
of recent events. Thus it is that most APP
propriate address for political gathering
becomes of necessity most effective political
dOcum mt.
No honest recital of events during the last
twenty years can reflect any credit upon the
Democratic party. -Four millions of men and
women have been made free citizens, but in
spite of Democratic curses, ballots and bull
lets. A rebellion such as any other Government
on earth might have been unable TO suppress !;
has been put down, but In spite of all the aid
that Democratic cOpperheads could render
Democratic rebels. Order has been in great
degree restored in conquered territory, which,
it was once said, would remain for centuries
only a Western Ireland or Poland but there
would be to-day neither order nor freedom if
Democratic White Leagues and Ku-Klux
Klans had been unrestrained save by Demo
cratic rulers. The Nations debt has
been reduced One-thrd, the interest on
the debt more than One-tbird, and
the annual taxation more than one-half but
every one Of the steps 70 these ends has been