The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-11-12
The Duty of Republicans.

The Republican party has deserved the
victory it has won. 1t went into the fight
under what seemed great disadvantages. 1t
was generally believed that the soft-money
heresy prevailed all through the West, and
that the upholders of the resumption act
would in the Fall elections suffer terrible
defeat. There were many indications too
that the heresy had got foot-hold in the
East, the home and castle of the supporters
of currency based on coin, and not few
men OF repute for political sagacity freely
predicted that the Greenbackers and their
allies would carry at least four New England
States, sweep Pennsylvania, and hold the
balance of power in New York. 1t was even
argued by some that if the Republican party
wished to live it must give countenance to
the soft-money heresy. Others advised that
the question be ignored-an affected igno-
rance quite as ridiculous as that sometimes
manifested on the stage. The same argu-
ments seem to have been advanced by many
of the Democratic leaders. The manner in
which they were received by Republicans and
by Democrats strikingly illustrate the differ
ence in character Of the two parties. The
Democracy prosecuted an intrigue with the
Nationals. The Republican party on the
other hand refused to yield to temptation.
It, the minority party, as it then seemed,
seorned the pestilent though increasing
heresy of soft-money, defed the boastful
partisans Of imitation and reputation, and
went into the fight for the defense of the
national honor and public faith. There
was no trifing. No concessions were made
to q supposed popular sentiment against
the fulfllment of the pledge the nation had
made to resume specie payments on the first
of January next. The result of the fight
justifies, even from the lowest standpoint OF
policy, the wisdom of the Republican lead
ers; for the party has not only preserved its
honor, but has as we'll gained great material
advantages. 1t has wrested from its oppo-
nents the virtual control of five great States
and increased its Northern representation in
Congress. Above all 1t has come out of the
fight reunited and with unanimity of senti-
ment wanting in its councils for years past
Old quarrels are now forgotten or ignored.
New courage has come to the party, and
confidence of victory. A few months ago
the election of a Democratic President in
1880 was thought to be foregone conclusion.
To-day our prospect for success is better than
that of our adversaries. The elections have
weakened and disunited them, and strength
ened and united US.
With the prospect now before us, the pos
sibilities within range, there should be no
dispute as to the duty of the future. The
feeling of concord must be preserved, the
harmony in the party maintained. We
should not permit ourselves to quarrel over
past mistakes that cannot now be helped.
However much some of us may desire to pro-
claim the fulfllment of predictions we
made, to exult over the short-sightedness or
credulity of those who differed with us, it is far
better to suppress the manifestation Of that
feeling. Let by-gones be by-gones, and let US
go into the next fight with the determined
purpose and temper that have won the battle
just over.