The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-23

Gently written letter to conference Of
| Ohio republicans-a letter on politics--on
which we propose to say few words. The
greater part of the Secretary's letter is ex-
| cellent He remarks that sit would be
better that as On officer Of the federal gov
eminent he should not personally partici-
pate in the direction Of the Ohio cam
paign," and this will meet with general
approval. He hopes for the success of tho
republican ticket, which is natural and
right. He defends the Presidents policy,
and does it in forcible and unhesitating
way, which does him credit. and which, as
member of the Cabinet, was to be ex-
pected of him. 1t is his policy as much ns
the Presidents. Finally he writes these
Words
The only threat that endangers the public veal and
safety is tho restoration OF democratic party to
composed largely OF cicmonts that warred against
tho government ana having no sympathy with tho
measures that are now IN course ot successful cxecu.
oD, and from the OF thcr position Interested
In a policy as to Southern claims which would I'M
povcrsh inc Treasury ana arouse anew all the bitter
OF sectional STRIFE cannot but regard It's rcsora.
on power the only danger that really threatens
our public peace and safety.
The other parts Of the letter arc so SEN
sible and proper that we wish Secretary
Sherman had left this passage out. It is
always we'll for public man to write and
speak what he really believes. In the heat
Of a political struggle it is expected that
the petty officers of party shall bawl out
Misrepresentation Of their opponents but
even in the bittercst contests it is wise for
statesmen to observe decent moderation
and to contine themselves to assertions and
statements before the people which, whether
erroneous or not, ut least express their sim
ccre convictions. When they 60 beyond
this they necessarily sink in the esteem of
respectable and thoughtful men even of
their own party they sacrifice influence
and standing with the country for no good
result, and, what is Of more Importance,
they set a mischievous example to the mass
of partisan understrappers who are but
too ready to- substitute vituperation and
misrepresentation for argument.
Secretary Sherman is strong partisan,
but he is also an eminent public man. He
would feel hurt if he were not counted
among the statesmen OF the country; and it
things, to see the truth and to tell it, and
to be calm and stick to the truth even when
weaker men drift from these sound moor
ings. Now, we take leave to doubt that
Secretary Sherman really believes that the
success of the democratic party in the next
elections would ''endanger the safety Of the
country" or that the possibility OF this sue
cess is "a danger that threatens our public
peace and safety" If he really believed
what we have quoted from his letterit would
be dishonest III him to advise any man to
buy our bonds; for he knows, and we all
know, that democratic success is very pos
siblc. If Mr.. Sherman were really con-
WINGED, If he honestly believed that the sue
cess of the democratic party would imperil
sour public peace and safety" he could not
talk so lightly of an event which he very
well knows stands very high in the chapter
of probabilities. The public peace and
safety of country like this are very serious
matters. The democratic party whose sue
cess he fippantly asserts would endanger
them, consists largely of Mr.. Sherman's
former associates in Congress; many Of
them his personal friends, we suppose it
consists largely, for another part, OF men Of
the highest character, of known and tried
inents. and whose wisdom is acknowledged
by the great mass OF citizens regardless Of
party. The democratic party has doubt
less designing, mischievous, unscrupu-
lous self-seeking and adventurous men
in 1t just as the republican party also has
the Same classes, and in the same measure.
That is the plain truth of this matter; that
is what Mr.. Sherman believes, MS we
confidently say, because no is not
fool. II would be an insult to his intel
ligcnce to assert that he really believed that
the ascendancy Of a party of which Mr..
Bayard, Mr.. Randolph, Mr.. Herman,
Mr.. Lamar, Mr.. Gordon, Mr.. Hill,
Mr.. Tilden, Mr.. O'Conor, Mr.. Belmont,
Mr.. Randall, Mr.. Adams, Mr.. Hewitt, Mr..
Garland, Mr.. Seymour, Governor Robinson,
Governor Hampton and great mass of
other men less prominent but of equally
high character are conspicuous and inAu-
entail members we say it would be an
insult "a Mr. Sherman's intelligence to pre-
tend that nc really believes the success of
those men would cndanger the safety and
the peace Of the country. And, as he does
not believe IL. Il Is highly improper in him
10 asscr, II because he must know that he
u lending his great position and his own
name 10 one 81 tho most dangerous false
hoods which can set into the public mind
In nee country.
Whenever, In a republic like ours, it be-
comes true that the nscendancy of either
party y actually and positively a menace
10 the public peace and safety, then the
days "a liberty in that country arc mum
bored That u the plain truth. Free gov
eminent, government Of tho people, can so
on IN peace only while tho spirit of both