New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-27
ryCT0RY UITHIN REACB.

Next week the Republican party will decide
whether it shall control the Government for
four years more or not. Few men of either
party doubt that the Republicans can now de
eide this matter, if they choose. A year ago
there were doubts. But the demonstrated i'll
capacity of the Democrats for the duties OF gov
eminent the irrecOncilable antag0nism which
has appeared in that party on public question
of the greatest importance, the proved hostility
of the large majority to interests which are
vital in the States that turn the scale, and the
outrageous misconduct of the party III many
minor matters, have changed public opinion.
1t is not now in the power of the Democratic
party to win victory. Ii is in the power OF the
Republicans to give them one.
The question among Republicans is not one OF
personal preference. At first glance, it may be
supposed to be, and there are good many
small and some large men who are talking and
acting as if the great Republican party were
really in danger of wrecling itself on a pititul
| issue of private like or dislike. Few of the
| Republican voters have been governed by such
feelings, much fewer than usual III Presidential
contests Even President Arthur is not
strongly liked or dislikcd by any considerable
number of voters, outside of one or two important
States. He is not specially liked by one in an
hundred of those who judge him on the whole
the most desirable candidate Mr.. Sherman has
q larger CORDS of personal friends, and yet, as
events have shown, not so many beyond the
| limits of his own State, where he is best known
~ TO make him leading candidate. Mr.. Ed
minds is perhaps personally liked by fewer
neoDle than any other candidate those who
prefer him usually give other reasons for their
choice. Mr. Blaine has made many warm
friends in his active life, and is personally hated
by some people. But it is probably true, even
of him. that at least nine -tenths Of those who
favor his nomination do so not so much be-
cause of their warm personal regard as because
they deliberately Judge il the best thing for the
party or for the country. Should he be nomi-
mated the ptiful element OF personal hostility
would prove cOntemptibly insignificant, and
would be more than balanced by the unusual
number and ardor Of his personal friends.
There is a difference of judgment in regard to
the tariff question. Mr.. Blaine has been a con-
spcuous defender of the protective system.
The Republican free traders, and those who are
led by business or local interests to think that
the tariff ought to be materially modified, have
given their support to the Arthur Edmunds
COInDlnatOn MS ulucItHCc VI "Ai"
tendency is real and earnest. 1t appeared In
the support of Mr.. Bristow in 1876, has had
some place in every subsequent phase OF party
discussion, and challenges attention now more
than it ever has before, because some of the
most jealous free-trade journals aud persons
affirm that they will not support Mr.. Blaine if
nominated. They have now, us they have had
ever since 1860, perfect right to go over to
the Democratic party whenever they think
proper But the Republican party has never
permitted the fear of their departure to in
fluence it, and will not now.
There is real difference of opinion within the
party, too in regard to the use of patronage to
control party action. 1t is no new difference,
but has existed for years, and a large part of
those who seek the nomination OF President
Arthur now, however sincere iii their motives,
owe their seats in convention or their influence
in the party to the active and skilful use of pat
ronage. Many of those who support Mr. Blaine
to-day also supported him when his nomination
was defeated by similar use of patronage in
1880. and they feel now, as they did then, that
the welfare of the party requires that its nomi-
nations should express the free and untram'