New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-28
SHALL THE PARTY TRIUMPHf

Before the Chicago Convention meets, and
while the parisans of different candidates are
gathering, it may be well to inquire with sober
ness and care, What is the object of this Con-
vcntion7 Is it to show the capacity Of certain
men for leadership If 80, they cannot afford
TO lead their party to defeat. Is it to secure
Offices and favors for those who are associated
with successful candidatel The great body
of Republican voters have a higher idea of the
PURPOSE of this Convention. But il so, offices
aud favoIs can DO secured only by electing q
candidate. and not merely by nominating him.
Is it to promote the reelection Of certain Sen
aiors and Representatives If 80, they need q
candidate who will unite the party, and not one
who will divide it. Has not tho Republican
party higher and nOblcr aims than these to
Justly its existence to stimulate its efforts
and to give force to its appeal TO the people 7
The millions of voters who are Republicans
and whose votes will be needed il tho party is
to exist hereafter, have higher conceptions than
these Of its purposes and its destiny. They
suppose that the object is to secure tho triumph
of certain principles, and not the victory of
certain politicians. They imagine that the
party exists and is supported in order to MAIN
tain the National unity, and to defeat every
effort to cripple and destroy the Government of
the Nation by subOrdinatng it to tho Govern
mcnts Of the several States But in order to
save the Government from the control Of the
State Rights party, the Secession party, the
party of revolution and nullicatOn the Re-
publicans must not only nominate but elect
President. These citizens imagine that the
party exists and is supported in order to mann
tain the public faith, and to defeat every effort
TO rob public creditors or to dcbase the National
currency. But 1t can do nothing to that end,
unless it dominates n candidate who can be
elected. They imaginc that the party exists
and is supported in order 10 secure eqdal rights
70 all citizens, and free and fair elections It's The
basis OF popular government. But the party
can do nothing to prevent fraud i'll elections.
nothing to shelter any class of citizens from
oppression or outrage, unless it 30 conducts it.
self as to command the support of the people.
1t has seemed to many Republican voters for
several years that there were leaders of the
party who wcro willing to see it beaten unless
it acted under their direction, and served their
personal ends. But this is not the feeling of
the majority of members of the party. They
are willing to stay i'll private station, provided
the Government is administered in accordance
with Republican principles. They are willing
to put aside all their personal preferences as
to candidates, provided the party Is so directed
that it can triumph, and that its triumph shall
secure tho success Of its principles. The qnes-
ton to DO decided at Chicago is whether the
schemng politicians or the unsellish and pat
riotc Republican voters shall direct the party
If the former, it is not unlikely tobe beaten. If
the latter, it will prevail in the election, and its
principles will triumph.