New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-19
REPUBLICAN, SUCCESS AND DUTY.

Conscientious conviction gave birth to the
Republican party. The early Republicans cast
their votes as matter of duty, and their work
was effective because it was inspired by all
that ia Hottest and hottest in mans nature.
The true missionary spirit wrought in those
who went out to gain converts for the good
cause, and there was profound faith that
the Supreme Ruler in his own good time.
would crown with success the faithful efforts
of finite and humble workers. This zeal and
faith made the party irresistible, and the
result justified the utmost faith. Slavery
was uprOoted by q mighty revolution. A
gigantic rebellion was put down. The su-
premacy of law was restored. The forms of
loyal government were reestablished, through
out a territory greater than in Europe any one
nation ever had held by conquest Not with
out reason, the men of conscientious purpose
and strong faith, who made the. Republican
party what it was In .ts earlier days, felt that
it was blessed for its sincerity and fidelity by
the constant aid of the Ruler of all nations.
Does the Republican party think it can con-
tinue to exist and TO rule without that same
high sense of duty VIII ch gave 1T beinSf Do
the leaders of that party imagine that they
can use il for the selfish ends OF any clique,
and still command for it the grand forces
which made it so mighty in the hearts Of
menf The party was not created to be con-
spiracy of Oflice-hunters. Whenever it degen-
crates to that level. whenever 1t ceases to
Lave sincere devotion to strong convictions
of duty, it will cease to inspire the souls of
men with sacred fire and faith, and will wait
not long for deserved defeat
Al I'll 81 f,,I b L.
highest convictions and aims of the Republi-
can party7 If it is the duty of the party to
give the country pure government, can 1t do
nothing better than return to the methods of
General Grants administration II it is the
duty of the party to maintain the honor of the
Nation, can it say with truth that its full duty
was done during the eight years of peace which
witnessed no preparation whatever for resump-
toni II tits the duty of the party-asit surely is
to protect it's citizens in their rights, to put
down assassination, outrage and fraud, and to
defend the enfranchised cOlored people from
the expressions which have caused an exodus,
does the Republican party dare to go back to
the methods which, for eight years Of
wretchedness, lawlessness and massacre, were
tried so vainlyi We know what two terms
of President Grant did for the cOlOred people
and their rights, for the loyal men of the
South, for the publication of the Government.
Has the Republican party any right to say
that it can do no better. or any excuse for
hoping that q third term will succeed where
two have failed
In frankness, is the third-term movement
anything better than an attempt to use the
grand old Republican party as the tool Of a
set of oHice-seekers A clique of leaders who
habitualIy use their power and patronage to
prolong and extend their power, and q band Of
followers and workers, some in Offices which
they wish TO retain and others hoping for
places II their leaders can make the next
PreEdenk-are not these the elements
which make the third-term movement strODg7