New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-18

tion woud put both parties their good behavior no
ument still has considerable weight with me. am
almost persuaded to for Garfield but am held BACK
nv this single consideration, which, perhaps, you can
remove. Do not distrust my sincerity
Ne,c- York, Oct a, 1880 foUHo 'oIhh'
We do not question Young Voters SIN
cerity. but we cannot help suspccting that he
has Inexperienced the Professors tneoty'
Whatever may be the advantages OF the al
"ternatlye action Of political parties" the
history of every progressive country SHOWS
that the development of political government
is controlled by single party organization
If politicaI parties were simply artificial con-
triyances for conducting public affairs, their
efficiency might be promoted by frequent
changes of administration. Great parties rhVe,
however, historical foundations, such as proau
divisions Of opinion respecting national qneS-
lions Of paramount Importance, and there are,
moreover natural causes of separation,
whereby the hopes, faith, intelligence,
activity and moral sense OF com
munty are marshalIed in one camp, while the
fears, prejudices ignorance, sluggishness ana
reactiOnary impulses of society are enlisted on
the other side. There have been frequent
changes of Ministry during the last half CEN
tury of English public life, yet the great body OF
remedial observation-disclosures Bills. the POOR
Law, Education Statutes, Dlsestabilshmeht
Acts-has been the work of the political Or
ganizatiom with which Mr.. Gladstone has been
connected. An interval OF Conservative al
mlnistration like Lord Beaconstields is utterly
barren, so far as domestic legislation IS con-
cerncd, and with the return Of Liberal Gov
eminent more is accomplished in single
session than their predecessors had done in
six years. One party perslstcntly retards
the great movements Of national thought,
while the other is imbued with the lucid IN
telligence, the resOlute courage, the vitalizing
energies and the progressive tendencies Oh
moral convictions.
SO much for the English precedent" In
France. likewise, the best elements of victory
are maSsed on one side. The establishment
of the Republic has been the work OF a single
politcal organization, and a change OF admin
istra,ion such as was effected on the 1Gth OF
Nav only creates disorder and decentralization.
Nor need we go abroad for precedents. After
many years Of 0ne-sded politics" the Opp0-
sit,on secured control of both houses OF
Congress 1t was what our young CORE
SpOnuenJ CdllS an oppoliuhl'c i"A PVii'''"'
development" We now ask him to apply
his own theory of the alternative action of
political parties to the order OF things
which he helped by his vote in two Congress
sonal contests to bring about. Have these
Democratic legislators passed single useful
or beneficial measure No, one. On the con-
trary. they would have plunged the country
into abvssos of financial dishOnOr If they had
not been held back by the President ana the
Republican minority Has the success OF
party which had been defeated for so many
years purified our politics B? Has it raised the
tone of the party itself7 Has it educated the
country Has there been the slightest adj
vance III any direction save South SOLID Tor
reputation, rapacity. intimidation and ballot
pollution
We hope, therefore, that young Voter
will be not only "almOst" but wholly per-
"suqdedr TO vote for Garfield. Let him not
rcneat the fatal error of voting for candl-
dates whom he distrusts, and with party
which he cannot respect. Let him dismiss
from his mind this fantastic theory about the
ALTERNATIVE action of political parties" Let
him ally himself with the party which has
the intelligence, earnestness and moral sense
of the best elements of political society
with the party which saved the Union, email
ciDated the slaves established the National
banks. resumed specie payments, developed
home industries, and made American progress
the wonder OF the world.