New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-15
DEMOCRATIC BLUNDERS.

DEMOCRATIC BLUNDERS.
So the Democratic party proposes to repeat
its folles of the extra session. Payment Is to
be refused to the officials authorized TO en-
force the election laws, notwithstanding the
decision of the Supreme Court sustaining the
cOnstltutionality of that legislation. The APP
preparations necessary for departments of
the public service are to be denied, and the
public service in those departments is to be
stopped, unless the President will assent to
the notification of law which Congress has
tined in vain to repeal. Such are the threats now
made by Democratic members. who appear to
be supported therein py the prevailing senti-
ment of that party Certainly no Democrat
uttered a word of protest when Mr.. Mcmahon
declared in the House that no appropriation
would be made for the special deputy mar
shals so long as the law remains as it is, and
denounced the decision of the Supreme Court
as partisan.
Yet there are Democrats weak enough TO
hope that, in the face of such a revolutionary
policy as this the Republican party will split
at the next electionl They are forced to adj
nit that the only chance of electing a Dem
ocratic President, under existing circum-
stances seems to be in Republican disscn-
sion they acknowledge that if the Republicans
are united with candidate who fairly repre-
sents the opinion and will OF tie party. they
are likely to carry every Northern State and
thus all the hopes of Democrats hang upon
the possibility that a portion of the Republ-
cans may refuse to support their candidate.
Ii Is not denied that there is discord in the
Democratic ranks. The candidate who seems
ho l,tyt Lo 10
Convention it is certain will fail to receive
the hearty support of the whole party in some
imDortant States Yet the Democrats in Con-
grcss propose to take the very course which
will most surely unite and arouse the whole
Republican force, and kindle anew all that
fiery zeal Of patriotism which swept every
thing before it III the days when armed dis
loyalty threatened the life of the Nation.
Are these men mad Can they not see that
any bolt, or split or effective disagreement
among Republicans will become absolutely Inn
possible if revolution end notification are
again attempted Do they not know that
there are thousands of voters in every
Northern State, who have acted with
the Democratic party of late, because of early
associations, or conservative pTOclivities. or
mistaken ideas respecting the finances, or in
djgnation at the conduct ofnthe Republican
party in some particulars, who are neverthc-
less loyal, patriotic and law-abidlng citizens,
and will assuredly help by their votes to crush
any party that attempts to nullify laws, TO
clear away barriers against fraud at elections,
and to Mexicanze this Government Verify,
if these Democrats desired to make Demo
cratic victory absolutely impossible, they could
not choose a surer way
The Republican party has many worthy
candidates for the Presidency, and its mem
bers differ widely in their preferences. The
different candidates, too, represent widely d-
verse elements, which are not certain to be
brought into hearty and harmonious CO.
operation excepting upon issues that in
yolye the sovereignty of the Nation and
the life of free government. But every
possibility of discOrd among Republicans
vapishes when Democracy raises the rebel
flag again. In the presence of solid and
aggressive South, and a rebelliOus and law
defying Democracy, all Republicans IRE in
stantly united. Personal preferences sink into
insignifcance. Grave questions respecting the
policy of the party, its direction, tendency and
conduct, upon which Republicans at other
times may ult1er, are aU once put dSluc Wnen
Democracy raises the overshadOwlng issue be-
tween loyalty and disloyalty, law and revOlu-
ton. If the Democratic party wishes that
kind of struggle, it can certainly have
enough Of it.
1t has not been the desire of the Republi-
can party to perpetuate divisions growing
out of the war. Its policy has been one of
Cancellation and peace. With irresistible
power, it has not hanged a single traitor, nor
deprived any class of citizens of a share in
the Government, nor retained military control
over any part of the country. Its mild and
generous policy during the past few years has
turned over full conaOl in many States to
those who, in other lands. would have
been banished forever or hanged for their
treason. But this earnest desire 10 eiface
ranking memories by kindness, and to quell
disloyalty by liberality, has its limits. There
will be 0 different feeling manifested if the
LOYAL men of this country once come to the
conclusion that the rebellious and law defy
ing spirit still threatens the existence of the