New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-23

Tho Democrats have nominated him, not De-
cause they like him or believe he is tit for the
Office, but because they think that they have a
chance to win with him. That is the only prln-
ciple the party possesses: SSuccess at any
cost" On this principle the Democrats united
with the Greenbackers in Maine and in the
West on this they concocted the conspiracy
to steal possession of the Governorship OF
Maine; and, going further back, on this they
tried to buy the Presidency in 1876. 1t is the
same party now as it was, and every step It mas
taken recently has been so much additional
evidence that time teaches IL neither wisdom
nor honesty.
The Democrats are the enemies OF law ana
order as well us of commercial stability.
Every attempt to secure honest voting In the
South by bringing the corrupters of tho ballot
box to Justice is secuted and denounced by
them. The South is Democratic stronghold,
and every attempt to break up irregular cleo
zion methods there is treated as an assault upon
the Democratic party. This subserviency to
the South has had a curious illustration during
the past week. The outrageous miscarriage OF
Justice in the Dukes trial in Pennsylvania mas
been hailed with delight by the Southern press
as proof that crime is no more surely punished
in the North than IN the South. This claim Is
preposterous, and is made in defiance OF the
notorious fact that the failure in Pennsylvania
is almost if not quite, unprecedented, whiie III
the South similar failures are of almost con-
slant occurrence. In the South public opinion
not only sustains but cOmpels them. In Penn
sylvania the whole State is IN a rage of indig-
nant protest, the acQuitting jurors are AFRAID OF
their lives and the escaped murderer is not only
execrated by the whole people but is threatened
with expulsion from bis seat in the Legislature
as unfit to represent the people. Yet in the
face of these facts what does the Northern
Democratic press dol 1t uDhOlds tho claim of
the Southern press, and tacItly sustains the
charge that the North is no better than the
South in its treatment of murderers.
These are tendencies which show the drift OF
the party. Can anybody deny their existence,
or point to others which are more reassuringf
What has the party done to show itself worthy
of popular confidence aud support Where
does it stand on the great questions OF the I'M
mediate future-tarif, finance, pure govern
ment On tariff it is openly for immediate and
free trade-for that is what
" tariff for revenue" really means. On finance
it stands with Butler and Sprague. as it stood
with the Greenbackers, the Free-Silverites and
the Anti Resumptionists. On pure government
it stands on the glorious old Democratic prin-
ciple. "To the victors belong the spells"
Does any Independent voter desire to join this
combinatiOn7 Does any business
man feel eager to trust the affairs of the Gov
eminent in such hands The Rhode Island
nor,ocrats mt forward Mr. Sprague without
any platform. They considered his record to
be platform enough We commend their ex-
ample to the National Democracy. Their acts
are more eloquent than words can hope to DC,
and 10 words can conceal their acts.