National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-10-07
A Prospect OF Party Harmony.

In the course OF his most admirable |
speech upon taking the chair of the New |
York Republican State convention, Sena- |
tor Miller said:
We know President Arthur az q lifelong Repub- |
lican, and we know him as New York Republi- |
canas one Of us who has been first and fore.
most in sustaining the principles of party. II
Is but meet and proper, then fellow Republicans, !
that we send him greeting to-day, and that We |
give him pledges Of our sympathy aud support |
Applause1 That can be best done by Republi-
cans here to-day laying down the arms OF factlona
warfare and taking up the arms of the old Repub.
lcan party a. we have known Il for the past
twenty years. [Applausel Itcan bedone by put
ting out OF our hears all enmity one toward
another, md uniting here to-day as q band Of
brothers tRouewed applause.l That done, we
must address ourselves to the present condition,
to the future prospects and the duties Of the
Republican party. Tho Republi.
can party has ever contended for hui
man rights and human freedom. The Republicnn an
party has been foremost in the cause of edu-
cation The Republican party is the party OF free
men, every one OF whom is entitled to be consid-
cred and 10 be trusted in the party and in its
councils IApplause.l Organization Is necessary
machinery is necessary for the carrying out Of any
political work. But the organization and the ma
chinery must be broad enough and wide enough
TO take in every Republican and to give him q
voice in It's affairs.
Laying down the arms of factional war
fare. Taking up the arms of the old Re-
publican party. Putting out of our hearts
all enmity one toward another. The
party of freemen, every one of whom is
entitled to be considered and TO be trusted
in the party and in its counsels. Take in
every Republican and give him voice in
the affairs of the party.
These are golden words. They come
from mind broad enough to see that
human imperfection should make men
who seek one common end tolerant of
each others failings. They are an ex-
hortation TO new departure. They will
make Republicans everywhere thought
ful.
The State convention met in New York
under circumstances which for time
threatened q rupture. The contending
factions were wrought up to a great de-
gree of bitterness. 1t seemed as though
the line drawn between them had been
deepened and widened until it had be-
come gulf well-nigh impossible. There
was no difference of opinion between
them as to any political tenet. All
claimed to have equal regard for the ira
ditions and aims of the Republican
party. But whether one set Of men or
another should be in the lead, and one
set debated whether, if 10 led, the other
should even be permitted to follow
these were the questions. The struggle
for the possession of the party seemed
about to wreck the party. At the last
hour before the final conflict the very Bit
terness of the struggle prompted a pause.
Each side seemed to suddenly realize that
the foundation was sliding from under
both. What folly to rend party in twain
in an effort to control i'll Neither half
could present any considerable resistance
to the common enemy. The prominent
men of the two factions appointed small
number to confer together. They were
unable to arrange all details satisfactorily,
but the general idea that each side must
exercise self-control and restrain hot
headed men was greatly promoted by
the conference. The heart-burnings of
years could not be healed in an hour, but
there was decorum, party fidelity, and
good temper to a degree which seemed
the work of a miracle.
The relative strength Of factions need
not be discussed. Some would say it was
tested on organization, while others
would insist, with more reason we think,
that the vote of 2O2 to 1877 by which the
New York city machine" repelled the
assaults upon it by those who had before
seemed to lead the majority was better
test of the strength of the adherents of
Mr.. Conkling in the convention. We say
of Mr.. Conkling, because all claimed to be
arthur men," Well, it matters not who
was strongest among the leaders. Mr.
Conkling was notthere. Senator Miller's
speech breathed the true spirit when it
advocated equality among members o.
the party, and thereby rebuked the fac
tionists who have SO often chosen to &c
out of the party rather than remain in il
in Roscoe Conkling's company.
While we do not believe the millennium
has arrived, we are nevertheless most
hopeful of good results from the State
convention in New York. 1t seems the
beginning of a new life for the Republic
can party. The President is citizen oi
New York, and his large generosties, his
knowledge of men, his desire for har
mony, his capability for repose, and hi,
great strength in repose-all these quail
!. ties are sure to impress themselves upor
the party more and more, as they did il
so great degree on Wednesday. Th'
Stalwarts are not seeking revenge, no
will they submit to wrongs. Their op
ponents have shown disposition Il
cease warfare upon them and
to realize that one Republican
party is stronger than two. Each cal
afford to bury the past. Senator Millej
we can respect for the noble words o.
{ Wednesday; ex-senator Conkling we car
| respect for years of devotion and distin
, gushed service Chauncey Depew ex
, cites our admiration for the readiness o
+ his speech General Grant commands on
love for greater service than has beel
b. done for the race by any man sine
: Moses, the Hebrew lawgiver. And now
!, instead of the party being divided int
: : Stalwarts and Hall-Breeds, marshale
o under contending rivals for leadership
c we recognize no such division as Half
!, Breeds. All are alike Stalwart Admins
# tration Republicans, aud our leader
n CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
L The man who now seeks to deprive tn
party of single general or single 80
10 dior iS n traitor IN tha cnIisp The at~i