National Republican., 1881-07-18
The Party Outlook.


Chicago, the campaign, tho victory,
Cabinet-making, Senate organization, the
New York war, and the Liberal move
ment in Nirginia-all these, crowded
into one year, have so excited and dis.
tractcd the Republican party that it drifts
in an unknown sea without compass or
rudder Nothing has been heard of the
aims and purposes of the Republican
party since the nomination of Robertson
for collector at New York. We shall not
discuss that act. What was not apparent
on the face of it was explained by
Mr.. l.. V. Smallcy, of the New York
Tribune at the time, who declared that
IL was made with reference to the presi-
dental succession in 1881. Incidental to
the discussion of the nomination there
arose questions as TO the rights and privi-
feges and the powers and duties of the
President and the Senate. If the selection
of Mr. Robertson was made simply with
reference TO the public interests, Mr.
Smalley made mistake in stating to the
contrary in his dispatches to the Tribune.
II was made to further certain political
interests and those of flctional rather
than even party character, then those
Republicans against whom it was aimed
were as justiiablc in defending rs their
opponents were in aSsaulting. What is
done cannot be undonc. The question of
Importance TO the Republican cause now
is not what has been DONE but what shall
be done hereafter.
If the Republican party is for civil and
political liberty it must antagonize some
body besides the friends of its cause. If
it would protect the Nations ballot-box
against the crimes of those who seek to
make minority seem majority, it must
antagoni2e the Democratic party of the
now solid South. If 1T stands for fidelity
to public creditors, stability in our fnan-
cial system, free schools, and law and
order, then those who are in position
TO DO the things for which it must be
heldresponsible must weaken the enemies
rather than the friends of those objects.
The happiness of some individuals may
require that The Republican party be
divided into two hostile camps, which
shall war upon each other until all fall q
prey to the common enemy, but the well
fare of the Republican party does not.
Unless the Democratic party is TO take
possession of the States of the North one
by one and of the National Government
in 1885, Republicans must devote some of
their belligerent energies TO the Democ-
racy. Only Republicans have been fought
by Republicans since the oath of March.
A house divided against itself cannot
stand.
The country came to standstill on
the Cd of July. The calm pulse of the
President bids us prepare for new activi
ties. What shall be the new departure?
1t has been proposed that all who hate
certain men in the Republican party shall
band themselves together under the name
of Garfield Republicans" and go forth
conquering and to conQuer-other Re-
publicans. This is the war cry of the half
insane and wholly malicious set which has
for its oracle the New York Tribune.
President Garfield will not belittle him
self or the party which elected him in
any such way. He will not consent to
lead personal party, He will know that
the gushing and slobbering of Democratic
leaders means capital for the Democratic
party, and that only. In 1854 they will
be as ready to traduce him and to steal
the Government by criminal fraud and
violence as they were in 1880.
We propose broad platform for the
future:
First-Oblivion of past differences be-
tween Republicans.
Second-A union all who are opposed
to Bourbon restoration in the Nation.
Third-Elections by the people instead
of by the great corporations.
The Democrats will not divide unless
the Republicans unite.
The Democracy united can defeat the
Republicans divided
The Democrats like their own party
and its blind Bourbon policy better than
they like any wing or section of the Re-
publican party.
The President can rally all Republi-
cans for principle They will not all
echo every word that any man may
say. If they would they would be fit
only for slaves. But they can all be
marshaled against that representative of
original sin-the Democratic party.
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