New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-23
REPrBLICAN RE ORGANIZATIONS.

In the matter Of the reorganization OF the
Republican party in this city, of which there
senns ot this moment a reasonable prospect
there are one or two things to be said winch
almost say themselves, and which we confess
we hesitate to speak for the reason that al Just
this time, when there is no election Immediately
pending and hardly any direct and personal
interest Inv olved, they are 30 likely to fall on
dull ears. Perhaps they are all contained III
the worn aphOrism that "eternal vigilance IA
the price of liberty" That, of course, Is the
ultimate expression Of all political philosophy.
Men recognize aud admit its truth, however
not 10 be guided and governed by 1t. but TO
teach somebody else to think of it, while. they
on avay and forget it. They apprehcnd it only
in 9 loose general wav. They do not include in
fine large, we'll sounding term liberty all that
relates to the Liberty" of which We as free
people make such boasts. They forget that 1t
is individual vigilance, constant, eternal, ana
that il means .watchfuness, thouShtiulncss,
increasing interest in, and constant attendance
upon, political duties that are irksome, dis
agreeable and often repulslve; that 1t means
not merely familiarity with public affairs, but
acquaintance, association, contact with the
men who for their own or any purpose desire to
control and direct them that 1t means attend
opce upon primaries, supon caucuses, upon con-
vcntions; in short, that kind of minSling with
oil sorts of people That the word Democracy
conveys.
II is very well to stand off from the foun-
tains of political action-the primaries and cau-
cuses-because they are so often impure ana
turbid to denOunce what they do after 1t is
done. and clamor for purer politics, higher
standards and all that. That is done year after
year by gentlemen who, if we may Judge them
| by their conduct and acts, have much less APP
precation of their duties as citizens than those
who are called professional politicians, whose
action is so offer, and it must he sad so justly,
made the cause Of complaint and revolt. How
much better il would be and how much better
| standing ground these gentlemen would nave II
| they attended III person to their own duties as
citizens instead OF delegating them without
| ouestiOn or protest to the men who make pol
| jtics trade. Trading and sef-seeling pol
| iticians are in so insignificant minority III the
| Republican party in this city that 1t Is only
necessary for the members of the party who
are sincerely DESTROYS of honest ana encieh'
| administrations and have no personal ends to
accomplish, to take half an interest III the
partys actual management, tC drive them al
out and give us, so far as Republicans are con-
cerncd. clean, wholesome and pure municipal
| politics. 1t cannot be DONE of course, so long
as the better members of the party keep alooi
from the primaries, take no personal part IN
the organization, but wait un Ill the self-seek-
ing professionals have given them something
to criticise and protest against.
The proposed reorganization may not receive
the assent of the men who are now in control
1t will if the Republicans who believe in the
necessity for it and are anxious for success will
only give expression to their desire and make the
men whose interests are opposed to Ieform
understand that they are in downright dead
earnest. 1t may fail, even if it be adopted,