National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-07-03
HARPERs wEEKLY AND rnE CANVASS.


We have not always found our views in
accord with those of Hdrper's Weekly, es-
pecialy when it has advocated individual
sovereignty in party relation, and counseled
scratching the ticket when the party has
presumed to differ in its determinations
with the individual judgment Of that able
journal. In all that we have regarded its
attitudes and teaching as exceedingly per-
nicious to the republican interest. The
Weekly has, however, since the Chicago con-
vention, fallen into line circumspectly, and
seems to be putting its best foot forward in
advocating the principles and welfare of the
party. 1t so happens that the nomination
of General GARFIELD at Chicago occurred
without treading on any Of the corns or
awakening any of the slumbering preiu-
dices of the Weekly, and hence it takes up
step in the republican column without an
inharmonious word or movement, and
hence we cordially hail its suspicious out
set in the campaign. In referring to the
two tickets in the field the JI'cckly holds
the following sensible, patriotic, just and
fraternal views of the situation, which we
copy entire as pleasant and profitable read
ing:
The nomination Of General HANCOCK is
the abandonment of what is called the
fraud" issue by the democratic party. aud
il seems almost as If the convention had de-
cided not to treat the situation seriously
General HANCOCK is a brave soldier who
served CALAMITY through tho war, and he is
gentleman Of high personal character but rs
"a "a nd Iutn for ha Ia 30
merely the democratic party, Mr.. TnDEN
was in himself the issue upon which his let
ter Insists, aud which has been made the par
amount question in every democratic plat
form since 1876. If, as he alleges, great
wrong has been done to popular government
In his person, the remedy was ObvOus--he
should have been nominated by reclamation.
But practical politics are very illogical IL is
not often that the excitement and confusion of
nominating convention permit tn nOmina-
tiOn of u representative leader of n party, like
General GARFIELD.
General HANCOCK represents no policy, no
principle, no issue, nothing but the party
which has nominated him, and he will be sup.
ported by those only who think that the pub
lie welfare would he promoted by bringing the
democratic marty into power General GAR
FIELD stands for tho best sentiment of the
party which has been identified with the
patriotism the Intelligence, the free industry
the progressive spirit OF the country Gen.
eral HANCOCK represents a party without
programme or policy, and with the most
damaging traditions. That party has emil
nent leaders but General HANCOCK is not one
OF them. If he has views upon public qucs.
tious they are not known. He is, of course
wholly without civil experience except that
of military governor. He is u worthy gen
tloman, whose life has been passed in the mill.
tary service, aud whose election as president
would be Il leap in the dark
General GARFIELD, on the other hand, is
not only q Citzeu-sodier Of distinction, but
a statesman OF wide and various experience
and sagacity, of unusual knowledge and tact
leader of his party by signal ability aud Il
gentleman of unblemished character. If the
Office of chief magistrate of tho union requires
civil ability and especial knowledge, wide ex-
p0rience aud courage, matured convictions
upon public principles and policy, familiarity
with public affairs and public men, rs well us
perfect personal rectitude and intelligent
sympathy with the ideas aud purposes aud
tendency of a great political party, General
GARFIELD is peculiarly the candidate for those
who wish TO know what their votes mean.
General HANCOCK is the respectable candidate
of the democratic party; but how has the
democratic party deserved the respect or the
confidence Of the country?
These uttcrances give forth no uncertain
sound. They have the ring of the true
metal, and we take pleasure in congmtu-
lating the proprietors of Hupcrs TccEL,
upon the fact that their enterprise has
reached a point where MAST and CURr,
play their respective parts in consouance.