New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-14
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE. MONDAY, NOVEMBER a. 1881

heartily devoted to principles and VINO ae' lio,,
convictions of duty in political matters couio
never be used to make or to carry on Sucn 7"
ouarrel. Men of that sort, who care for the
welfare of the country infinitely more than lol
the success of any individual, would nave !eiO
it their duty to stamp out all disorSaniNlhs
quarrelsomeness and vindctiveness as soon as
it appeared. In other States, where d he-
publican shows the least willingness to sacr-
fee or imperil the success of the party for the
sake of any private gain or grudge, he becomes
at once a branded man. who is held unworthy
of confidence or cOuntenance by all sincere
Republicans Why is it that, in this State OF
New-York. o considerable number OF Kepupn-
can voters and workers are found to encourage
and aid such disregard of grave public inter-
csts2
The reason is obvious. In New-fork the
Republican party has allowed itself to some
extent to degenerate into mere persOnailsm'
Attachment to some man has been allowed TO
take the place of attachment to sound prlh-
cipIes. Men have been welcomed, honOTed and
greatly trusted. not because they gave proof
of clear and deep Republican convictions, DuV
because they were devoted and useful to
particular individual. Other men have been
hunted and bounded, until they were glad to
get out of public life altogether, not because
they differed from the Republican party IN
belief, or because they lacked tdehty to It's
ideas, but because they were not the Wiling
slaves of some leader. Thus it has come to
pass that many Republican voters look upon
opposition to an individual as infinitely worse
than treachery to Republican principles. lhey
have asked not Does this man believe I'D
Equal Rights ~ but as he a Grant man I >
They have named a delegate or voted for
candidate, not because he was devoted to sound
principles Of finance or taxation, but because
he was ga Conkling man"
! The majority of Republican voters have
| been disgusted by this personalism. They
have seized opportunities to make their feel
! ings known, and thoughtful Republicans now
perceive that the party cannot count upon
success in this State unless it places fidelity
70 sound principles above fidelity to the inter
ests of any individual. The Republicans
achieved their most splendid victories last
! Tuesday in places where they forgot all about
! the interests or ambitions, the likes or dis
likes of political leaders and devoted themselves
earnestly to the work of promoting the pubic
good In Brooklyn, for example, all the IRE
and enthusiasm of an army of young men were
shown in the contest, and thousands OF sub
stantial Democrats were moved TO vote the
Republican ticket for the first time In the
| grand old days, when the Republican party
swept the country with the fire of its fervent
patriotism, there was no thought of serving
this or that man. Every worker was inspired
with the desire to serve his country. SO the
country was served, and most glOriOusly, and
good citizens saw that the party was worthy
of support In proportion as the party returns
10 the same spirit and methods, it will COM
mand victory hereafter.
Tins is matter for Republican voters to
attend to themselves. Old leaders VIII not
step aside, to make room for others who care
more for principles and less for personal inter
csts, unless the voters put them aside. But
the party will not have the full strength to
which its principles entite it until 1t becomes
thoroughly and everywhere devoted to those
principles, and not to the fortunes of indi-
| ,-i1uols