New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-10

TIE REPUBLICANISM OF THE TRIBUNE
Ten years ago, in the first impression OF The
TR1BUNE after the reorganization of its affairs
made Necessary 10y the death of its revered
and beloved founder we took occasion in the
course of the leading article to express our
selves as follows:
Naturally we shall prefer to support ms far ms posi-
bic an Administration which processes the party name
such an Administration will receive from frank and
cordial approval of every action performed IN accord
ance with its and principles. But IHt THIbt NJ Is
nobody's Official advocate When Republican lead
er are guilty OF OPPRESSION fraud bribery any other
species of wrong folly, we shall not spare them be
cause they Republicans. No party symlathiea are
strong enough to overcome independence or muzze
our honest utterances.
The Republicansm which we thus reaffirmed
ten years ego we have steadily practised ever
since, and never more faithfully than during
the present campaign. 1t is not what is known
as thick and thin Repubicanism. IL is not
the Re2ublicansm which has for its motto
"The party, right or wrong" But nevertheless
we believe 1t to be the abiding Republicanism,
the Repubcanism that carries the seeds of
progress and perpetuity in its bosom. The
Republican party was strong enough to save
the country in time of war. We believe it is
sobelieving and believing also that faithful arc
tie wounds of a friend, we have dealt the
enemies of the party who stole its organiza
ton good many blows since the Saratoga Con-
ventIon adjourned. And we are not mourning
IA those without hope over the result. For
one OF two things had to happen. Either the
ticket had to be elected and the party dis
graced, or the party's self-respect maintained
and IT least pant of the ticket defeated. We
we're willing to lace the possibility of total
defeat of the ticket We We're not willing to
see the party whose corner stone is the moral
law commit hari-karl by mdOrsing fraud and
forgery and the craftsmanship of John +. Smyth.
The duty thus imposed upon us was not
pleasant, but it was plain. We spoke out. We
called IA spade spade. We exposed the
proxy niquity i'll all its enOrmity. We declined
to argue that weak candidates were strong, or
to hold our peace in regard to our opinion OF
turn-coat. 1t would have been easy to take
c0mmOnCr course to treat the Saratoga Con-
veDtor to whitewash and the nominees to tafly, |
and to condOne Federal interference and
bossing. But parties are not helped by news
papers that gush over them when there is need |
of growing and which always postpone fling |
a protest until after campaign.
Nj Cleveland was elected by an enormous |
but nevertheless we believe that the |
Republican party in New-YOrk was never in Il |
healthier OF more promising condition than it |
is to-day. 1t has vindcated the PARADOX. MS |
true in politics as in morals that they who lose
theil lives shall find them. There is defeat |
winch is but accidental and temporary, and |
which stands for the highest heroism and for
ultimate victory. Such was the defeat the
Republicans OF New-York have met with.
There is nothing in it to inspire despair.
There is everything in it to warrant hope.