New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-04
LEEEERS0Y D1TINS WLSE COUNSEL.


JEFFERSON DATISS WISE COUNSEL.
From the political retirement to which certain
historical events, not less than his own modest
preference, have contributed to send that eminent
Democratic .e1dcr, MIR. Jefferson Davis, there
have recently come one or two nncOmmOnly
shrewd observations. The Democracy will be
wise 10 heed them. PremI-.ng that he speaks
as a mele spectator of political issues, he re-
marks that he does not regard the defeat of
Hancock as so deplOrable matter rs might be
supposed, and adds that the sooner Democrats
announce their fxcdncss Of purpose 10 stand
"by the right, expecting only defeat the sooner
"will they be respected, and the better will be
"thei1 chances for ultimate success There is
a great deal in this that respectable Democrats
who continue to entertain the delusion that the
party may he IeOrganized- and 10y rCO ganizauOn
suffer Il sea change into something rich and
strange aud perhaps uSelul-WOuid do well TO
ponder. Mr.. Davis only echoes tho general
judgment, rs well OF Democrats rs of Repubi-
cans, when he says he defeat of Hancock was
by 10 means calamity. The Democrats who
month or two age were most appalled, at the pos
sibiity of such an event, are tree to confess,
now that the offices arc at least four years fur
ther of, that upon the whole free institutions
will be able to weather the loss of General Han
cocks craftsmanship at the helm, and no IRENE
diablc disaster Will come from The continuance
of Federal patronage in the same hands for
four years more. Taking tins philosophical
view, many Democrats vino lately hoped to re-
form the civil service from the inside have re-
tuned to rinSing tumbcrs and other homes,
industries, and Mr.. Barnum, we believe, has
taken to mining and left Of undermining.
But Mr.. DAVIS Is especially wise IN his sug
gestion that the sooner t4e patty can find some
thing to believe in and stick to, and can make
up its mind to be defeated while believing in
and sticking TO it, the sooner II will be respected.
This is precisely the point to which
THE TRIBUNE with entire dsinteIesiedness has
been endeavOring to direct the attention of the
various groups Of restless persons who are en-
gagged in disintegrating tie party for the pur
pose of reoreanizng and reforming it, Either
one OF the two courses pointed out-and they are
practically iuseparabt, for 80 soon as they begin
to believe IN anything they WI b. more certain
than ever of defeat-will make the party re-
sDected. Ii IS not respected now, becaus, for
twenty years, while pretending to u belief in
pretty much everything, il has actually believed
in nothing it dared avOw. II the leaders could
set up a belief in free trace, as the revenue re-
formers would like to have them, and not be
frightened of into their usual quihblcs and
tricks and evasiOns on the subject. they would
be defeated, of course but, as Mr. Davis says,
they would at least have the respect of the
public for their sincerity. And since they have
never profted by their dodbleiaccdness and
treachery- certainly not since 1844-on the
tariff, there would be so much gained So on
the money question they would gain the re-
spect OF the community-which they have not
now-if they would take either side and stick to
it; advocate consistently either hard money
OF soft and stand up to their doctrine without
lodging. Whichever side they should take they
would be defeated, for the patty is divided upon
that issue But they are just rs surely defeated
trying to occupy both sides, and to such defeats
disgrace is added.
Clearly, the most practical issue that now
offers, tie one upon which the party can rally
most of its strength and como nearest to being
honest about, is that of free trade A great
many Democrats have q traditional belief in it,
and the standard once set up wOuld draw to il a
great many dOctrinaiIes and tneOTzers and I'M
practical political economists whose accession
would at least help raise the party to something
like respectability. The great difficulty in the
way is that it would be impossible to find hun
jared Democratic leaders who believe in 1t to the
point of being willing to accept defeat under its
banner. A majority OF the party might pretend
to believe in it, but there is not virtue enough
left in it to resist the temptation to play double
and lie about it, and il necessary, abandon it |
utterly, as they did in the last campaign, il any
thing seems likely to be made by hypocrisy or
treachery. The various recognizing move
ments now in progress all squint more or less
toward the adoption of free trade doctrines as
cardinal articles in the party creed, but the
elaborate declarations of principles which they
issue are SO obviously subordinate to the mani
purpose of change of leadership and perfection
Of the detail Of organization that they 90 un-
noticed. They do not stand out with any dis
tinctuess or clearness; they mean nothing, pass
tor nothing but the ornaments of rhetoric; in
stead OF being put forward as the main Issue
they are simply incidental TO it.
Mr.. Davis is clearly right. What the party |
needs is first something to believe in, and |
second. willingness to be defeated for its be- |
lief. There ought not to DO Ony difficulty as to |
the former; the party has certainly shown great |
readiness to believe in anything. 1t cannot |
make mp It's collective mind, However, to be de- |
feated. 1t consequently goes on believing IN |
nothing and pretending to believe in every |