National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-21
Is the Tribune an Organ +?


Garfield said to friend that the sena-
torial elections in some of the States
might be the cause of trouble to
him, because it would be the desire of
some that he should interfere, which he
could not do He declared to this friend
that in no manner OF degree would he per-
NIT himselfto favor either side ofany such
struggle, and authorized and desired
this determination to be made known.
4 similar statement to this was made in
the New York Tribune prior TO the sena-
torial caucus in that State, which indi-
Gated that he had communicated to the
writer thereof the same intention, accom-
panied with the same request as in the
| case of the friend referred to. But the
Tribune, having first stated the neutrality
of General Garfield, proceeded TO mingie
with it so much of unfriendly infer
ence against the supporters of General
Grant at Chicago, and of promises OF
honorable recognition with Offices 1t is
to be presumed) of those who had vio-
lated State instructions in order TO defeat
him, that it was widely understood
to be equivalent TO an authorized
statement by General Garfield that who
ever would aid in electing an enemy
of Senator Conkling to the Senate should
receive his appreciation and be appointed
TO office under his administration. We
know the Tribune did not claim to speak
for General Garfield. except SO far as mere
neutrality WIS concerned; nor do we
say that it desired to be understood as
hav ing authority to go beyond that. But
We repeat that the article was so written
that it conveyed the impression, whether
SO intended or not, that General Garfield
had selected the writer as his spokes-
man and the Tribune as his organ. a I'd
that its loud blast of war against these
friends of Senator Conkling was author
lied" from Mentor What we desire TO
say is that We kl0m the General had no
sympathy with this warlike pronuncia-
mento which has done so much to en-
courage the belief in the public mind
that there is already violent and dam
gerous conflict threate ming the peace OF
the Republican party.
All this would not have been re-
vived but for the fact that the Iri-
bnne again comes to the front to de-
mounce the majority Of the Republican
members of the Pennsylvania Legislature
as a faction" controlled BY a machine" :"
because they do not follow the minority
in the support of Il candidate who was an
old crony of the Tribume's in its voyage of
political discovery in 1872. The Tribune
is an independent newspaper, and has the
undoubted right at all times to advocate
what it deems wisest and best for its
stockholders and friends. 1t is independ-
emily Republican, and did most powerful
work for General Garfield in the late
campaign. But since it has once spoken as
an organ, and appears to be so regarded by
many, we take the liberty Of fsaying that it
does not represent General Garfield when
it assails any respectable element of the
Republican party, and thatifit did would
sound the doom of the next administra-
ton. His extreme anxiety to be just to-
ward all elements in the party is we'll
known to those nearest him, and we are
bound to believe it is well understood by
the Tribune THE REPUBLICAN is no organ
of any man, but it's sense of Justice impels
it to say for General Garfield, and by his
authority, that no word which can be con-
strued into unfriendliness or opposition
to any set of men in the Republican
party as to the choice of a United States
Senator from any State is uttered by any
authority or desire of his
1t is time for some words to be spoken
in behalf of the continued harmony of
the party which has just narrowly escaped
defeat in the presidential election. The
margin is not so wide as to admit of
crowding. Our party is not too large. 1t
cannot thrive on unseemly and uncalled
for struggles between its leading men,
and now, while there is an utter absence
of all such struggles and an entire lack
of motive for any, the man or newspaper
who invites contention is an enemy of
the Republican cause. And yet the air
is thick with predictions that this or that
element is to dictate to all Others and
that large and powerful portion of the
party has already been marked for pro-
scription by General Garfield. Time will
show the falsity of all this; but in the
meantime it should not pass unchal-
lenged. Croakers and disturbers, if left
to do all the talking, may do half as
much mischief in creating strife as could
be done by the realization of their pre-
dictions or the following of their advice.
The people elected General Garfield
President, and no newspaper is strong
or influential enough, either with him or
with the people, to usurp his place. Let
us patiently trust in the President-elect
and wait.