New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-24
rHIRn rcRM ARGUuENTS.

The spirit of the Republican party was never
better than il is now. Its determination to
support the nominee Of its convention, and to
elect him, as a matter of public duty, Is mani
tested daily, in the most convincing form.
Perhaps there has never been time in the
history of the party when there was so little
disposition to endangcr its success by bitter
personal attacks upon individuals or wrangles
between candidates and their friends. THIS
state of feeling is cminently desirable, and
all discussion regarding the merit or availa-
bilty of candidates ought to be conduc ted to
the end in that spirit.
1t is both a right and a duty, however, to
prepare the way for intelligent choice byOpen
and temperate discussion. No friend of either
candidate can with reason object to the con-
sideratiOn of those reasons which, in the judg-
ment of others, render It more desirable to
select other candidates than the one of his
choice. Those who believe that ex-Presidcnt
Grant is not the most desirable or strongest
candidate for the party have thus far engaged
but little in the discussion, believing that
public opinion is well informed already as to
the man questions involved by his candida
ture. Nevertheless some arguments have re-
Gently been presented by his friends which il
seems worth while to consider.
Every sincere Republican must desire to see
his party become stronger. The welfare of
tho country will depend not merely upon its
success in one election or another. but upon
its permanent growth and increasing hold
upon the confidence of the people. The mere
office seeker whose continual desire Is for
success in a single campaign and after that
"the deuge," not infrequently seeks the
election of candidate only because of his
personal relations and interests; but the party
os whole desires TO elect candidate by
whom as President the strength OF the Repub-
Gcan party would be permanently increased. In
that capacity President Grant has been tested.
It. Ia undeniable that during tho eight
wears of his Presidency the Republican
party did not gain, but lost mate
rally. 1t held, when he went into Office.
an overwhelming majority in both houses OF
Congress, and q majority Of electoral votes so
large that il seemed impossible to fritter it
away. When lac went out OF Office Demo
cratic control was already secured in both
houses OF Congress, and Republican successor
was chosen by bare majority of one. No
reason has been given for the belief that an
other term under President Grant would re-
suit more favorably for the party. There is Il
strong probability, therefore. that the party
would find itself in greater difficulty at the
expiration of his term than it is now, and
would be hampored during that term by in
creasing Democratic majorities in Congress.
1t Ia said that strong government is
wanted to keep in subsection the revolution
ary spirit at the South. Be it granted but
in that respect also the ex-President has been
fully tested. The strong government y
which his friends desire did not avail to keel
in subsection the revolutionary spirit, but
permitted its development TO such an extent
| that it has since threatened the very conlinu.