New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-01
7S4, 433 souls. Verify our country is rendering
an Opulent obedience to the injunction which
calls for increase and multiplication.
THE OLD AND NEW YEAR IN POLITICS.

He is q poor student of human affairs who
has not perceived that progress toward better
things is generally the outcome of series OF
defeats and recOveries. Nature moves In
spirals. In 1881, the movement was unmis-
takably backward. The Presidency became
the instrument. of faction. Congress fell into
the leadership of a set of men who have an
equal contempt for public opinion and for
public welfare. The anger of intelligent voters
struck down the great party to which the
responsibilities of government had been in
trusted anew only the year before, and Re-
publican majority in the House is to be sue
ceeded by Democratic majority of about
| fifty But there is much reason to hope
that this backward movement is but
preparatory to another and higher advance
I and that the next forward swing of the curve
| will bring us to better state OF government
| than the country has yet attained.
| 1t is most encouraging fact that the defeat
| of the party which ought to represent intelli-
gence and progress was in this instance ef-
fected not by blind prejudice or that stolid ig-
norance against which "even the gods fight in
van," but by the most thoughtful and ,on-
| scientiOus voters. 1t makes a great difference
| as to the future whether great defeat Is
rebuke of shortcomings or verdict of igrO-
rance against reforms not yet cOmprehended
| In this case there were no reforms attempted,
| and for that very reason the country was
| indignant. Hence, notwithstanding the frothy
| insOlence of men who have been condemned
| by public opinion, the effect upon political
| leaders has been salutary. We see the first
proof of this in the almost unanimous passage
of Civil Service bill by the Senate, in the
report and generally favorable consideration
| of measure for reform of the tariff in I'M
wonted attention to public business in both
| branches of Congress- in an altered tone at
| the White House toward those who inflicted
| the most severe punishment ever given to
| new Administration There is ground for
| hope that the lesson will not be wholly
lost, even upon those who now manage
executive and legislative work. Some
valuable legislation, which shall prepare the
way for great reforms hereafter, may yet
come in the year 1888, as the first fruits of
| the defeat in 1882.
| In any event, public opinion must gain in
| defnteness and concentration during the new
year. a political revolution, like great bat
lie, leaves the air full of smoke. 1t takes
| little while for either victors or vanquished to
find out where they are and what they want
| to do. Meanwhile the killed and wounded
make the place almost intolerable for the sur
vivOrs. The stencil from some of the dead
and the shrieks and groans from some
of the badly wounded have made
things unpleasant in this country for
two months, but it will presently be
seen that there is a great deal to be done
for everybody who is sound enough to be fit
for duty. Already there is a more honest effort
to discover what the people want than has
been made for some years, and the work in
| both Houses indicates that the more sensible
men begin to perceive their only path of safety.
| The country insists upon certain thorough re-
forms. If one party Will not effect them, the
country will try the other, but in some way it
means to have them without delay.
If the new year does not prove most disap
pointingy barren, 1t will yield better tariff and
lighter taxation than the country has seen for
many years tho beginning of a real reform
OF the Civil Service; and a thorough over
hauling of appropriations which have been
made year fter year for corrupt or pa.tisan
objects. Congress may not wish to do much
that is good, but any member who has life
| left in him will think twice before he refuses
again to do what the people plainly desire.
| Whether we get good measures from this Con-
gress or not, the discussions there and through
out the country will at least make the people
understand pretty clearly where runs the line
| of division between evil and reform, between
| the men who want to keep alive existing
abuses and those who want genuine
progress toward better government. 1t may
be that this shaping of public opinion will
prove the best gift that the year 1888 has to
bring u.s. If so, it is by no me ms to be de-
| spised. When the people get a clear idea of
what they want about the Civil Service, for
| instance, no Democratic leader will dare to
talk or to act as Mr.. Brown and some others
| have recently talked and acted in the Senate
| Refusal to obey will then mean certain de-
| feat in the next Presidential election. So
with the tariff question il Congress should
| contrive to evade action the people would
| come to know what individuals are disposed
| 10 pcrpctuate abuses and excuses, and the
| line of division between reasonable and safe
reform and general smashing of industries in
the name of Free Trade will be sharply drawn.
A great many men signed their own death
warrants last year. In 1888 a great many
will make the country understand for the first
time what manner of men they are The man
| who is to be the next President Will probably
prove his right to public confidence during the
year upon which we have now entered. With
him will come forward many leaders,, not all
now recognized as such, who will owe their
place and power in public affairs to work
done for the good of the country this year
The field is open, and the palm is to him WHO
can deserve it.
| THE OLD YEAR-TRADE md LABOR.