New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-08
NLrn - nLIILLR4rION

II ha, been wisely said that the Republican
National Convention ought to Dc a delibcratiye
body. Is a u,c. National Conventions arc
something else. But it would not be well this
ycai 10 have the Republican nomination made
either AT hap-hazard, or BY the grinding OF any
machine. OF in any mere eush OF personal en-
thusiasm. 1t is prc-cmincnuy an occasion
which calls for Naturalization candid recog
milton and careful weighing OF facts and Iea-
sons.
This is true because the Republican party is
no longer in much danger from its opponents;
It's chief danger il that the Republican voters
themselves may not bc satisfied. 1t is the TACT
that they are not much in the humOr to vote FOR
a nomination that they think unfit. 1t has
seemed to them for some years that the objects
for which the Republican party is maintained
were in some cases, lost sight Of too much III
the struggles of individuals for position.
nomination that seems To imply any surrender
or betrayal of the convictions OF sincere and
patriotic Republicans, it must be obvious
would cudlnger che success OF the party Tar
more than anything the Democrats have power
to do.
Ii might be possible in the boiling enthusi-
asm of delegates for one they admire, to noml-
nate candidate whose opinions on vital QueS-
tions have not been well considered. The name
of General Sherman has been mentioned with
the warm attachment and gratitude which Re-
publicans feel for him. But Is it known that,
ON all vital questions of public policy, his be-
liefs accord with those of the Republican party 2
Has he had occasion to make known his opln-
ions about the tariff, for example? If it should
tod
whose honest convictions, on such a matter
were not those Of his party. the result might be
serious dissatisfaction among voters
The politicians who form q machine, and are
accustomed to obey orders with unQuestiOning
fidelity. do not often consider whether they are
in harmony with the will of the people. II the
one man who controls the machine happens to
lose sight of the popular guidance-as such a
man sometimes WILT may come to pass that
domination will result as did that Of Secretary
Folger for Governor. Evidently somebody had
quite forgotten the people i'll that instance
There is not much danger that any machine i'll
huence will control the National Convention
this year, but that fact makes it the more
necessary that the delegates, who will be free to
think for themselves. should be men able TO
think wisely and with due regard for the wishes
Of the people.
1t is time to select men who will not have
private axes to grind, OF leaders to blindly
obey, or passionate likes or dislikes which they
cannot subordinate to the public good. Any
man who would act, if elected as any other
mans dummy" is a good man to leave ut
home. In true deliberativc body wise counsel
Is needed and not the fierce championship of
favOrites or factions.
The deposition of the people TO express their
ONn first choice by ballots at primary meetings
is a good sign. 1t shows that the voters begin
to realize, Us they sometimes have not hitherto,
their right TO do the thinking and judging for
themselves. 1t is not to be expected that there
will be unanmity of preference in different
parts of the country, but the action OF judicous
men in convention cannot fail to be influenced
in a reasonable measure by what is shown 10 be
the wish of the voters in different localities.
The days are past in which one man was
allowed to do the thinking for a State. The
change casts a greater responsibility upon in
dividual Republicans, which they ought to be
willing tn meet.