New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-08
THE AN4LBUUhBON ALLIANCE.

We nut very littlo faith In the sincerity OF
the chronic fault-fnders who grumble because
the Republicans awaited themselves OF the as
sistance of Malone TO organize the Senate
and hone AT all in the Democrats who have
become so suddenly sensitive to the Disgrace OF
bring found in company with persons not
thoroughly sound on questions of finance. ~
there are any honest ami earnest Republicans
who doubt the policy that has been thus lar
pursued by the Republicans, we have one or
two suggestions TO offer for their cOnsdera-
ton. Here seem to be two questions involved
First, whether The aiance-1 it can be prop
erly so called between the Republicans and
the Virginia Anti Bourbous promises to be
effective in dividing the Solid South aud
breaking up that other alliance which has
been so fruitful If mischief in the past and is
SO ominous of future trouble--bctween South
made solid hy violence aud fraud and the
Northern Democracy. Second, whether the
apnarcnt couBteuauce which such action
might give to the repudiatlng tendencies
and loose financial notions against which the
Republicans have been aud are still fighting
would have such harmful effect upon the pub
nc III promoting financial beresIes us to coun-
tervail the beneficial results attained III the
other direction. Perhaps it might he stated
IN simile terms as a choice OF evils offered the
| Republicans.
Now we do not by any means consider the
dispute now pending as question simply
whether the Republicans have the right, by
virtue of being a majority. to control the Of
| fees of the Senate nor AZ scramble for the
offices. for we are very clear that they gain
| nothing by the change. If that were all that
| was involved we should say at once it were
better not to make the proposed changes. But
II is much more than that. 1t is on the part
of the Republicans an offer OF sympathy and
| encouragement to the only organized
body in the Southern States that has
made airy Roadway in opposing the
| tyranny, the absoutism and the vio-
| lent. dishonest and un-demOcratic methods
| of the Bourbon Democracy. In doing this
the Republicans make no sacrifice Of principle.
Whatever views the Anti Dourbons Of Vir-
emla may have upon their local questions. or
even upon the larger issues of tariff and
National finance, they do not concern them
selves with at present. They say, and the
record of the party proves their consistency
| ip il, that in the overshadOwlng importance
OF the question whether the Bourbon Democ-
racv of the South shall continue to be able to
hand over to their Northern allies the solid
vote of all the Southern States all other issues
| become secondary and subordinate The fight
| for industrial protection, stable currency,
honest finance and good government does not
| for AN instant cease. On none of these lines
| ia there any sacrifice or concession. But the
enemy. IL must be remembered, the. foe OF
1 nf rda nd
| GOOD government, is the Democratic party
And the Solid South is the stronghold, the
absolute dependence of that party. 1t is the
key to the whole situation.
| They say that Republicans are abandoning
| their positiOn in favor OF honest currency and
full payruent of all debts when they strike
hands with the Anti Bourbons OF Virginia
| They do nothing of the kind. On the con-
trarv. they are aiming blow at the very life
1 of that great party in this country whose ex'
is.ence in continual menace, and the only
menace. TO the credit and prosperity of the
Nation. All men know that in the Republican
argument to the people in the last campaign
though some stress was lad upon questions OF
currency and tariff, the topic most dwelt upon
the danger most discussed, was the Solid
South. 1t has been for years past not merely
Republican bugbear, but the subject OF serious
reflection on the part Of many truthful South
ern Democrats, who are sagacious enough
TO foresee that nothing but mischief
can come Of it. We talk about estab.
fishing tho results of the war, abslishinf
sectionslism aud restoring perfect Union
there is bat one way to attain these results, al
every thinking man well knows, and that II
by dividing the South and leading the thoughts
of her citizens into some other channel thar
continually dwelling upon the possibility Of
| regaining, through the aid of Northern Dem,
ocrats, their old ascendancy In the Govern
ment. Republicans think this can be done bI