Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-01-27
THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY.

LIE &6EUoblOA AN EARA1.
During the past year there have been in
huences at work which threaten the Re-
publican party very seriously, and it re-
mains to be seen whether these influences
are to be fostered or discarded. At the
time of President Garfeld's death the
split in the New York Republicans had
become much more than the affair of
single State. 1t was in fact the outcome
of an almost inevitable antagonism between
the elements which had supported Grant
at Chicago, and those which had defeated
him. Speaking broadly it may be said
that on the one hand were ranged the po-
lltical leaders who during Grants two
terms had obtained SO secure lease OF
power that they could not be shaken of;
ard that on the other hand were ranged
| those who believed that the Grant policy
and programme were prejudicial to the best
interests of the party and the country.
o wing to this division of sentiment it
came about that the administration OF Gar
field was expected to be in all essentials
different from what Grant administration
would have been, and it opened in that
way. But the sudden termination of it
led to complete collapse of the Garfield
programme, and the Administration which
succeeded was known to be in full accord
with the Grant programme. 1t was i'm
possible that SO great change should take
place under any circumstances without
producing ill-feeling and disappointment,
but the circumstances in this case were so
peculiar that the abandonment of the Gar
field policy was felt by all his friends to be
in some special sense wrong. They could
not help themselves, however, and perhaps
they might ultimately have become dis
posed to bury old grievances, had not the
| Grant men shown an unmistakable purpose
to push their advantage without scruple,
and to the utmost limit, and had they not
also evinced disposition to be revenged
upon their opponents within the party,
now that power had fallen so unexpectedly
into their hands.
In justice to President Arthur it must
be said that he has not made himself
amenable to this kind of accusation, but
has evidently endeavored to pursue as eau
tious and conservative line as possible,
being rightly desirous of restoring har-
mony within the party. His efforts in
this direction, however, have been largely
neutralized by the arrogant bearing of
many of the old stalwarts," who have
seemed incapable of realizing the extreme
delicacy of their situation, or have been
impelled by political ambition to cast aside
all scruple in pushing their objects. The
result has been to produce still more
pronounced condition of discomfort within
the party. and though there has as yet
been no occasion for the manifestation of
this feeling in very significant way, it is
perfectly clear that it exists, and that
it is becoming more confirmed, to those
who read between the lines. And the
question therefore arises, what is to be the
end of this condition Of dissatisfaction :?
1t is not at present at all probable that the
Garfield Republicans will accept the DOM
ination of the Stalwarts submis.
sively, and it must be pointed out, as
very important circumstance, that the in
dependent Republican sentiment, which is
in truth that which balances parties, is
with the Garfield wing and not with the
'' Stalwarts. There is of course an ele-
ment which looks only to political rewards,
and this gravitates naturally towards the
faction which is in power. But the inde-
| pendent vote is not venal vote. 1t cares
nothing for the offices, and much for prin.
ciples. And this it is which must be sat-
isfied now, if there is to be harmony in
the party.
No doubt it may be said that very much
of the discomfort which has shown itself is
mainly quarrel over spoils, and there is
too much truth in this But it is also true
that large element in the party anticipa-
ted from Garfelds administration some
distinct elevation of national politics, some
definite work in the direction of civil SER
vice reform, and some conscientious intro
duction of vital principles into the party
platform. Now those who looked for
these things had made up their minds that
nothing of the sort could be expected from
the Grant Republicans, and therefore when
the latter came into power there was quite
widespread belief that the opportunities
of the current Presidential term had pass
ed away, and that there would be an i'm.
mediate letting down of the party man.
agement. To remove this belief, it is evil
dent that much energetic and enlightened
work would have to be done. That it can
be removed if the right course is taken, we
do not doubt But at present nothing has
occurred tending in any way to restore the
lost confidence, and it is apparent that if
the party continues to drift ON in this way
it will drift to defeat in 1884. Something
10 ASluuSu very muCI IIlOTe COuNluclH9
than mere assertions of desire for har-
mony, particularly when such assertions
are commentaries upon the appointments
of the day. The Republicans who have
lost faith In their leaders cannot be won
back by talk, however suave and concilia-
tory. They will insist upon action, and
the question is, are they to insist on action
in vain!
We do not think any confidence can be
repossd in the political judgment of the
men who during Grants second term up
held him in course which nearly de-
stroyed the organization. If they are to
lead again the presumption is that they
will again ignore the signs of the times, and
again lead the party to defeat The posi-
tion of President Arthur is certainly diff
cult, but it seems clear that if he expects
to gain the full confidence of both wings of
the party, or, better still, to abolish all
factional distinctions between Republicans.
he must recognize the claims and defer
Al. of A.