New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-01
THE HARRISBURG LESSON.

The love-feast OF Democrats at Harrisburg
has two lessons for Republicans II should
teach them, first, that they cannot safely expect
to win by any division of their opponents; and,
second, that they have no right to be less ready
than Democrats to put aside personal prefer
ences and ambitions in united effort for the sue
cess of their principles.
The Republicans cannot have greater reason
to expect Democratic division at any other
time, than they had to expect q fight to the
bitter end between the factions led by Mcssrs.
Randall and Wallace in Pennsylvania. Tho
personal ambition of two strong leaders, who
hate each other bitterly, and who have resOrted
to extreme measures in order to cripple each
other, was supposed to make their agreement
impossible. Around each were gathered many
active and jealous friends, who had staked all
their hopes of political preterment upon their
success in getting control Of the delegation to
the National Convention. 1t was believed by
one of the factions, too, that the nomination of
Mr.. Tilden would surely involve the defeat of
the party. Yet these Democrats, leaders and
followers, contrived peace at short notice, and
accepted division of powers and honors, and
managed to rouse the Convention to real enthU-
siasm by their unexpected display of harmony. II
is not likely that the Democratic party will carry
PENNSYLVANIA in any event. But the hopeful
ness engendered by this performance would go
n long way toward carrying doubtful State.
Should the Democratic party manage to heal
lis differences as satisfactorily in the National
Convention, it would he harder to beatty many
thousand votes in States like NewYOrk. Con-
nect;cut, New-Jcrsey, Ohio or Indiana. than it
has been at any recent election. But it is net
only possible that the Democrats may thus
unite; the Republicans have no business to
look for any other result. The Democrats are
going into Convention with the intention of
organizing victory if they can. 1t is madness,
therefore, for Republicans to make q weak or
dangerous nomination, relying upon q Demo-
cratic split to elect their candidate.
1t is the habit of Republicans to claim that
they have a stronger regard for political princi-
pies than their opponents, and are governed less
by individual ambition and greed for Office.
The history of the two parties for twenty years
past proves that the claim is not wholly without
foundation. Yet there are Republicans who
seem to be so intense in their prejudices and
preferences that they Rre willing to sco the
party and it's principles defeated, unless they
can have their way in its selection of candi-
dates. Surely, the example of tho Democrats
of Pennsylvania may well be taken to heart by
such Republicans. If these Democratic politi-
clans, who are commonly said to care for moth
ing except the spoils, can heartily unite to sup
port candidate who may be expected to ignore
one faction or the other in the distribution of
patronage, cannot Republicans put aside their
preiudIces in q hearty and jealous effort for the
snccess of their PRINCIPLES Not long AGO. tbere
were brave men by the hundred thousand who
were willing to die If need be, for the triumph
of the principles which Republicans hold dear.