New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-25
REPUBLIC1N UNITY


election of Senators is hailed with the utmost
satisfaction, and that by many men who have
lately been at swords points. Sharp as the
struggle has been, it has mQtestonably welded
the Republican party together as nothing
else could have done. For this there
are many causes. But the chief is that
the Republican and Independent voters
are exceedingly gratitied to find the party
at last in full and united accord with National
Administration which commands the confidence
and the sympathy of the whole people. The
feeling would have been the same in kind
though less strong, had the contest at Albany
been settled before tie attempted assas-
sinatIon. Even then, the Administration
had already gained great hold upon public
confidence by the sagacity and singular
success of its financial policy, by the courage
and skill OF its campaign against Star Route
jobbcrs, by its vigorous and patriotic policy in
foreign affairs and by the manifest sincerity
and earnestness of the Presidents effort to do
justice to all the elements that had helped to
achieve victory for Republican principles
Antagonist to him. even then. would have
aroused grave public distrust of the party
i'll any State. In truth, it may now be
said i'll all kindness to the recent supporters of
the ex-Primate that the Republicans of this
State have never been nearer irremcdiable de
feat than they were when it seemed likely
that his leadership and influence would place
them in an attitude of hostility to the Admin
istration.
But the attempted assassination vastly in
tensiiied public feeling toward the President.
1t reused warm and loving sympathy
so strong that power in this country
could withstand it, Public attention was also
drawn most sharply to the magnificent career
of the Administration thus far; to its wisdom
fidelity and success to the close and hearty
unity of its members to their sincere devotion
TO the principles of Republicansm and the
true interests of the country The course of
the Cabinet toward Vice Prcsidcnt Arthur.
and his own manly and honorable course to-
ward the Presidents associates, were observed.
In week of intense anxiety the whole
country learned more, not only of the Admin
istralon, but of the whole Republican party.
than it had known for years. The result has
been to strengthen intellectually both the Adj
ministration and the party Men who had
cared little for politics and nothing for the
Republican party began to feel intensely
about the contest at Albany and to pray most
earnestly that it might end as to bring
greater support to the Administration. Now
that 1t has so ended, shouts of joy are raised,
not only by Republicans of all shades but bv
thousands who had no sympathy with that
party month ago. 1t is perfectly safe to say
that the Republican party can now poll more
votes i'll Newly ork, by many thousands. than
1t has ever yet polled since its organization.
United it is now, headed by an Admin
istration strong in public confidence
and sympathy. and fired by enthusiasm
as 1t realizes that great and most
proper reform within its organization has been
carried through without rupture, so that the
party management will henceforth be brought
nearer to the interests and the direct influence
OF every voter, the Republican party in New
York feels that it is and ought to be irresisti
bic.
Another result of the contest is of no small
consequence. There has been brought about u
complete revolution OF opinion in respect to
the capacity and fitness for leadership of judge
robertson and others who have been associated
with him. For years it has been rather the
fashion to sheer at these gentlemen as utterly
incompetent, either in pluck, in tact, or in
breadth of view and sagacity of plans. 1t has
been said that i'll any severe struggle they
would ego all to pieces" This has been said
so often that the people had begun to believe
the influence of our late Senior Senator natural
and necessary consequence of his personal
superiority, and to conclude that a Rcpub-
lean vote in New-York must necessarily
mean vote to support him. This
weakened the party not little. But
the recent struggle has been long and
severe. 1t has tested to the utmost all
the qualities of leadership. Remarkable fore
sight, great tact in dealing with hostile feel
ings singular shrewdness in the admiration of
methods to the changing circumstances, won
derful patience and rare ability in so present
ing the broadcast ideas of public polcv
as to ovcrmastcr and subdue all personal
perfOrmances-these are the qualities which
this contest has required in the Admnistra-
ton leaders. How fully they have displayed
these qualities their opponents bear witness.
In outburSts of veXaton during the contest.
| and in cordial fTatcrnzing after the strife
was over, many of the supporters of boss
ism have repeatedly admitted that thcv
were outgeneralled and surpassed in lead
ershlp. Had we as good leadership the
| result would have been differently said one.
lie was probably mistaken. The stars in their
courses fought against the eX-Prmate BIT he
has been widely praised as one of the
most consummate political leaders of his
age, aud yet the proved superiority of
some of the Administration leaders is
now admitted. The people will place a very
different estimate upon these men hereafter.
The confidence which such leadership inspjres
will be felt this fail, not in contests between
Republicans, but i'll the overthrow of the Demo
cratic party.
The Democrats may well take fair warn
ing; New-York has become Republican State,
If there was any doubt when some Republi-