New-York tribune., 1879-11-14
SOME PRESIDENTIAL POINTS.

What are We to expect in the next PTesi-
dental campaign7 At present the Repubil-
can PARTY only has defined and positive
nol,cy. We know what it will advocate ::
Justice to all citizens, Of whatever race or
color: protection to all voters; faithful en-
forcement of all laws of the United states !;
honest pnvment of honest debts hard money
and scrupuous defence OF the public credit.
ON what pretexts will an appeal against
the supremacy of the Republican party be
made
l. The Greenback party, as such, will not
trouble politics next year. IL has tried, and
has failed. Ii it had any purpose, that pur-
nose has vanished since resumption brought
general prosperity. If 1t had any adherents,
tbey have gone back to other parties when
thev have discovered that the Greenback
Marty had no chance of success Perhaps
there will be a Greenback ticket, but there
certainly will be 10 reason to fear it.
II. The Democratic party, as party of in
Aation or Reputation, can make little head
wav. It's ablest men see that Its career In
that direction is ended 1t can get beaten, if
if likes. by kicking against the pricks indef
initely but 1t will not commit itself to soft
money notions unless it has lost all hope of
success. and has decided to make such fail
ure as will leave it less embarrassed there
after. Perhaps the money question may be
lodged perhaps it may be made conspicuous
without chance or hope OF success but tins
- tolerably certain, that the Democratic party
will not put stress on questions OF that sort If
it fights to win.
Ill. The Outcry about Federal election
laws will be abandoned. Democrats know that
# WAS blunder. They see, what they ought TO
lave seen before they began the contest at
the last session Of Congress. that party
can afford to stake its existence upon its sue
cess IN sweeping away laws designed to pre-
vent fraud. If the existing laws are defective,
amendments can be proposed. But it is not
nossible to put amendments into such form
that they shall constitute a prominent issue
for national contest.
Iy. The course of the Government toward
the South will not be a matter of importance
in partlsan discussion. The Republicans will
not. and the Democrats cannot, asSail the ex-
tremely lenient and generous course of the
present AL ninstration. All discussion rs to
the course of any previous Administration
will be treated with contempt by people
who do not propose TO revive the previous
Administration Chatter about Grantlsm and
Imperialism will be disposed of, if, as we be-
lieve, the Republicans see fit to disregard the
few men who wish third term for their own
convenience.
V. No opposition party can possibly escape
the consequences of it's dependence upon the
Solid South for nearly the whole of its votes.
The question whether those who tried to
destroy the Union ought now to be selected
to govern it, will of necessity be presented
sharply, because any opposition to the Repub-
ican party will rest all its hopes of success. if
il has any, upon the uaited vote of the South
ern States party in that position must
face the question whether the conduct, the
temper and the opinions of the South are such
that it can safely be intrusted with the con-
tIol Of the Government.
VI The attempt to divert public attention
to new topics will probably occupy most of the
time during the next session OF Congress. 1t Is
not likely to succeed. because there is 10 other
question upon which public opinion is formed
or aroused. Debates about the tariff will fall
Hat, because the people have no desire to
meddle with existing laws on the subject of
taxation. Clamors for reduction of internal
taxation will please some Southern men who
lack understanding as to the real effect of