The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-28
Seeking the Sinews of War.

W
Republican patriots are rushing 10 Wash
ington from all quarters, imploring their
Congressional Committee for money to save
the party from impending defeat 1t Is the
same story from New Hampshire 10 LOUISE
ana. Without liberal supply Of the sinews
OF war. disaster is admitted 10 he certain.
Unfortunately for these demands. the as
sessmcnts on onlceholders are exhausted.
and other sources of supply hitherto consid-
cred reasonably sure are cut OF by the
Maine election, which. like sharp. uncX-
pected frost. has destroyed most prom
Using crop.
The Hon. EUGENE HALE, Chairman of this
Committee. who Is quite willing Ia assess
others and to spare himself, proposes a
second levy on the departments, to satisfy
the inpOrtunate acquisitions for aid and
comfort But the clerks have taken the
alarm like their chiefs. and will not give
another dime to the sinking cause. With q
keen scent OF the coming events in October
and November, they are now outstanding
their resources and preparing for the cheer
less future. Moreover, the national banks.
which have heretofore contributed largely
to the Republican campaign fund, and in
deed answered the drafts made upon them
without question, are generally holding
back for two reasons. First, they have
made less money during the past year than
usual and are In no condition 10 make
partisan investments. Secondly they are
not Indifferent 10 the signs OF the times.
II is useless to argue the merits Of
policy when popular current is running
with sufficient force TO sweep away all OPP
position. If the banks are wise they will
abstain entirely from any political connoc-
tions. and adhere strictly 10 the business
for which they were created and endowed
with great privileges. The belief that they
have constantly aided the Republican or
gani2ation is one Of the causes Of prejudice
against the money power which IL now
operating on the minds OF thousands Of men
So it may be said Of some Of tn" great
railroad corporations, which have regularly
entered the field as partissns, and sought
by the influence Of their local power 20 elect
Legislatures, make Senators, shape legisla-
ton, and send Representatives to Congress
who were little more than retained attor-
neys Of their special interests. Col. Tom
SCoTT has figured above all others in this
business, inside and outside Of Prnnsyl-
gave him command of votes until thi, in
reference had almost become a national
scandal.
He and others like him have had one go
rious admoniton, which ought not TO be
forgotten very soon. They will do well not
to invite another by modelling In politics
which most people regard as foreign to the
interests of railroads. When corporations
combine for particular Objects and seek
control Of State Governments or 81 mn!ori
ties in Congress, they naturally provoke
combinations against them, which this year
arc not likely to be indulgent in their modes
Of action or sparing in resentment. If the"
should be successful. Cob SCOTT Is an able
man in his sphere; and If, like the cObblcr,
he had stuck to his last. he would have been
great success. But his road besides hay
ing TO carry an enormous load OF unprOllt-
able connections, has been handicapped with
dead weight Of politics, which no bust
ness, however profitable, could always
stand.
All the money that can he raised among
the Custom Houses and Post Offices and
public departments will be concentrated on
Ohio. HAYES and SHERMAN are bent on saw
desperate effort and the free use Of green
backs can do it. At heart they have no faith
in success, but they hope to carry one or
two Congressional districts that have been
confidently claimed by the Democrats. The
recent appointment Of Supervisors Of Flee
ton for the first time In Cincinnati * n
part OF this programme The act of 1871 au-
thorzng these Supervisors was a Republic
can invention, intended to give Federal oh-
cials control Of the elections for Congress In
the carpct-hng States, and to interfere with
the Democratic maioritics here and else
where.
Money invested in the Republican pnrty
this fall will be a dead loss. No human
power can prevent n crushing defeat. from
which there can be no resurrection. The
day Of final dissolution is near Mt hand for n
party which began its career under tho
nohleat Inspirations and will end it in worse
than discredt. The active politicians who
are now seeking aid to save their States, "
know well they are doomed. and are strik-
Ing for themselves. more than for the cause