New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-23
HHAT 10 10

WHAT TO DO.
Every thoughtful Republican must realize
that it is OF the highest Importance to elect
majority of members of the next House of
Representatives. The Senate has been lost
For some years the Democrats will control
that body. If they can also secure control OF
the House, the consequences may be much
more serious than men ordinarily expect. 1t
will be held that the people, by the election
of a majority of Democrats, have given fresh
and definite instructions in favor of the revO-
lutiOnary measures attempted by the last Con-
gress, or proposed in the platforms of that
party in the States. Every vicious and dan
gerOus element in that party will be encour-
aged; the more conservative and honest men,
who have saved the. country from lncalculable
evils by their steadfast resistance, will be Gis-
heartened. The worst measures of repudia-
ton or imitation would then he thought to
have the stamp of direct popular approval;
shameless jobs like the last River and Harbor
bill will seem to be not only excused but re-
Warded; Southern claims by the hundred will
be pressed with renewed confidence and
greater hope of success and the revolution
ary schemes which caused the creation OF the
Potter Committee viii be kIndled into new
life. Both the session of Congress which
occurs next Winter, and the first session of
the new Congress, will then become in the
hst degree dangerous 10 the public welfare
and peace. These dangers are not imaginary
but real, as the country learned when its in
dustry and commerce were Frustrated for
many weary months by the Tepudiating and
revolutionary threats of the last Congress.
They can be averted only by the election OF
a Republican House.
The Republicans cannot expect public con-
fdence hereafter unless they devote them
selves sincerely and earnestly to the work OF
protecting the public interests. But those in
terests can be protected, at this time, only by
hearty and united effort to secure the cleo
ton of Republican Congressman. He is
an enemy of the parry and of the public wei
fare who endangers the defeat of Repubh-
can candidate for Congress in any district,
either by squabbles over a nomination OF its
method, or by pitiful wrangles concerning To-
cal Offices The whole strength of the party
ought to be concentrated upon the election of
members of Congress, that repudiating and
revolutionary Democracy, ruled by solid
South, may not get power to bankrupt the
country, to dlshonOr it, or to disturb its
peace This is the first and highest duty, for
which every patriotic citizen and every tue
Republican ought to be ready to sacrifice per-
sonal likes and dislikes, ambitions and
grudges He who does not his duty in that
respect, whether friend or foe of the Admin
istration, does not deserve well of the party
nor of the country.
1t is practicable to deprive the Democratic
party of control of the House. 1t is true,
that party has nearly solid support at the
South, and will need not many members from
Northern States to give it majority. Con-
Citation has not prevented the virtual dis
reimbursement of colOred Republicans by law,
in some Southern States, nor the continuance
of that terrorism which makes it a waste of
time kand Of innocent lives to commence
struggle in others, nor the organization OF
Confederate cavalry and artillery, "a in Phil
Ips County, Arkansas, to capture districts in
which the legitimate Republican majority Is
counted by thousands. So much the greater
need of Republican unity and determined eff
fort at the North. Nor are encouraging signs
lacking. In very many doubtful districts, the
Greenback movement, which Democratic dem
agoeues have fostered 50 long, will draw from
the Democratic CanuludubS u great HuulDcI VI
votes. The more the financial issues are forced
upon the attention of sober, intelligent and
conservative citizens, the more the Republic
can party will gain in strength. Democratic
disgust at the conduct of members of the last
Congress has caused the defeat of q surprising
number of those members in their efforts for
denomination, and the Unsuitable greed of as
pirants has produced serious division in sew
eral districts. In the Columbus District, Ohio,
Mr. Converse is likely to be beaten by an
independent Democrat; in the XIIth Missouri,
Mr. Glover is confronted by strong bolt led
by Mr.. Hatch, a man of much personal pOpu-
la1ity; in the With Missouri it is found that
the Democratic candidate was the agent by
whom certain most obnoxious bond transac-
tons were effected. and heavy debts fastened
upon the people by bribery Of officials. In
many districts of Illinois, Indiana and Penn
sylvania, the manifest strength of Greenback
candidates threatens the Democrats with de-
feat. But Republicans cannot expect to win
unless they are united, resOlute, and willing to
sacrifice personal interests and feelings to the
public good.