New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-21

Others they promised as many different revislohs
~ taxation and the tariff as there were distinct
interests TO be conciiated. This year, IN spite
Of themselves their nominations will mean
something. Certain definite measures naYo
been passed by Congress, and others are iouu''
demanded, and an attempt to DO hoh-con'-
initial will now be quite as slshihcah' a' 'N0
most explicit declaration.
Do what it may, the Democratic party n',S'
perforce show whether it thinks itself mt 10 10
trusted. and call upon the voters to say whether
tbev think il fit to be trusted. IL 1t hunts up
strange and unknown men, or political trlck-
STEERS who have never been identified with us
history. it will show that it is ashamed OF us
own history and leaders. COnfess'Dg That these
entitIe it to no confidence, it will, nevertheless
ask the voters to say that they give 1t all con-
fidepce. By so doing, it will compel men 10
consider what the history and who the leaders
have been of whom the party is ashamed. Or
it. on the other hand, it names men who have
been identified with its past, that history IN
evitably comes up for review.
The Republican party has no such dlfhculty.
1t has history but is not ashamed OF IT, anu
would be only too glad to have the elections
decided by the public Judgment as to the Work
done by the party during the past twenty-five
years. The Republicans also will meet In con-
ventions, but there will be no effort anywhere
to disown the past record of the party to put
on DISCUSSES, or to promise reversal ol i'S
policy. lit does not need to pretend that all us
leaders have been always wise, or all Its ON
Gals free from blame; taken as whole, us
past challenges scrutiny. Not being ashamed,
and having nothing to hide, It can nominate
new men. or men who have been long identi-
fed with its history. as circumstances IN each
case NAV dictate. 1t will not be foolish enough
To pretend that in every particular every ad-
minstratiOn, including that OF fresldent
Arthur has met its highest ASPIRATIONS ana YET
it will have no occasion or desire to dlsavow
or disown that administration as n whole, or
any other: on the contrary, it can claim public
thanks and honor for the general conduct OF
the Government under the present admnistra-
ton.
There is a great difference between party
that has everything to hide and one that
sluipks from 10 scrutiny and fears no issue.
The people will begin to feel that difference
when the conventions of the two parties pass
in review before them. 1t is possible too,
that events may draw public attention very
strongly 10 the financial course of the two
parties. There may be industrial contests or
disasters this summer In that case, voters
Will ask which party has voted for the repeal
Of duties designed to protect home industry.
Financial disorders are not wholly Impossible
If they come, voters Will ask which party
weakened the pubic treasury 10y silver com
age, strove to cripple the banks by constant
assaults upon them, and threatened all invested
property by Communistic proposals. That the
Democratic party is afraid of its past history
is not strange. But its only way to get rid OF
its past is to die and bury itself.