National Republican., 1880-12-28
The New Departure.

Since the result of the late presidential
election became known the Democrats
have been surveying the landscape over
to ascertain the length and breadth of the
disaster that has bcfnllcn their party in
the conflict. They find defeat so thor
ough and the calamity so broad that they
regard the past as only worthy to be for
gotten, as its lessons are of little value to
party that never learns anything from
experience. a new departure seems to be
the only hope in the future with Il routed
and disordered army that has neither
discipline, ammunition, nor rations.
Finding itself in this sad plight, and
without vitality enough to die, the
Democratic party is now casting about
for new issues with which to fight its bat
ties and win its future victories, if any
are in store for it. Its old principles have
been worn threadbarc, and must be laid
aside like dilapidated garment. In its
coquctting with the Greenbackcrs it lost
its financial capital, as well us public con-
tidence. Its regard for honest elections,
the right of suffrage, and the equal rights
of citizenship proved so insinccre and
unavailing that it did not weigh feather
in popular respect. Its declaration against
a tariff, except for revenue only, proved
abortivc, as the delusion was too trans
parent to work even respectable dccep-
ton. That proved dead weight for it
to carry through the campaign, and aided
largely in swelling the calamity that befell
it in its last battle. Since then il finds
nothing in the condition in which defeat
has left it to inspire hope or courage us to
its future.
The new departure of the Democratic
party is forcshadowed, no doubt, in the
brief interview had between q representa-
tive of THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN and
the Hon. Frank IIurd, which appeared in
its columns yesterday morning. In that
friendly chat Mr.. IIurd assumes the role
of leader, and it remains to be developed
whether or not his party will commits
sion him in that responsibility. 1t is not
surprising that his party, If it proposes to
exc out its existence further, should seek
new issues upon which to appeal to the
people and attempt fresh conquests. The
"tarilf for revenue only" plank proved
an unhealthy expedient in the late cam
paign. 1t was rather weakening in its in
tlucnces upon the party prospect and,
if we are to trust the assurances of Mr.
Ilurd, that plank is to be abandoned
and free trade is to be brought to the
front for future adoption and use. This
may be regarded as the square thing on
the part of the Democrats. Tariff for
revenue only" was dclusion. 1t neither
made converts nor held the full strength
of the party intact, but really became an
important factor in working its certain
defeat. That party would have made n
far more honorable, if not more success
fltl, fight under the open banner of free
trade, and the raising of that banner now
as its future insignia gives evidence that
it has become convinced of that fact, if
the lead of Mr.. Hurd is to be followed by
the party. 1t is to be hoped that the
| issue between free trade and protection
will be distinctly made, and become
prominent in the next national contest.
When the full light of discussion shall be
poured upon that issue the Democrats
will be taught II more valuable and fore
iblc lesson than they learned in the late
disastrous campaign.