New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-12
PARTIES and DUTIES.
per cent,

Three weeks from to-day the country will
be reading the inaugural address Of President
Garfield. Therein one Of the ablest statesmen
OF the Republican party, commissioned by ITS
votes to serve as its leader, will set forth rs
Chief Executive of the Nation the principles
upon which he hopes to see the Government
conducted. BY all thoughtiul men, abroad
and at home, this utterlnce will be regarded
with the utmost interest. 1t is an Illustration
Of the grovellng and debasing tendency Of
modern politics. that not many active p1rtl-
sans manifest any interest in the forthcoming
inaugural, while there is more general and
intense anxiety to know the names OF the
seven men upon whom will fall the duty OF
recommending appointments to minor Offices.
The occupation of the Democratic rarty is
to hunt for or manufacture issues" The
habit of the Republican party, as it enters
upon each new term Of power Is to ask what
arc its duties. Democracy is a more or less
unsuccessful struggle to get Office. Republican,
ism is q more or less honest endeavor to apply
certain principles Oe justice TO the govern
ment of the country. The Democrat tries to
find out what professions or pledges he can
make which will give his party a chance of
success. The genuine Republican faces each
new trust with the inquiry. What does duty
"reouiro2 What reforms are needed. what
"wrongs are to be righted, what policy will
"best promote the public gOOd2" He who
thinks first of Office, and aftcrward of prnci-
ple, is not O genuine Republican. The Repub-
llcan party would never have existed. if
sense of duty in regard to present evils had
not taken men out of old parties which then
Al. ,v,ff, ~ n
powerless minority. Nor would that party have
outlived the terrible responsibilities success
sively thrust upon it, if it had not manfully
dared to do right at the risk of defeat.
can era of good feeling" some men say. is
to come with the new Administration. Very
well, if the phrase means an era OF peaceful
obedience to Just laws. But those who look
for period of political qiies ence ought to
be disappointed, ii justice is still resisted.
The Republican party has grave duties still
TO perform. 1t is not unaware of those duties;
We hope it does not need to be reminded
of them. But it owes to its opponents,
and to those conservative citizens who hold
the balance of power between parties, the
utmost candOr at all times in respect to its
convictions and purposes. No statement OF
those convictions will be adequate, no fore
shadowing Of its future course will meet
public approval, that does not put great stress
upon tho duty of the party to restore and up
hold free government, in regions where it
has been well-nigh suppressed by force and
fraud.
But this will revive partisan excitement"
it may be said. Very well partisan excite
ment is the one thing needful, when a great
wrong is perpetrated and defended by
party. When there is zeal to commit crime.
it is crime not to be jealous for justice.
If party spirit perperates and upholds a
wrong it is high time that there should be
a different party spirit TO strike down and
root out that wrong. Away with the pitiful
notion that those who ask justice must be
auescent, half-hearted and prone to COM
promise, while those who are robbine the people
of self government continue desperately III
earnest There is only one right way to get rid
of partisan excitement. That is for the party
which has been doing wrong to cease doing or
defending it. There. and nowhere else. the