New-York tribune., 1884-02-03
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
EYARTS AND LINCOLN

| AND "TARIFF REFORM ANTI-Bossn PLATFopu
| To the Edttor The TrfbunG
| SIR: A political party should be simply an in.
strument for putting certain principles into practice and
when any party Il perverted the purpose OF putting
set Of into of1ce Of keeping them there II Il,
time for that party TO 60" No candid Democrat win
deny that the Republican party has done a good work
that It's history IL, whole, glorious one; nor viii
any candid Republican deny that his party has msds
mistakes, that there passages in ts history
which he blush recall Yet with ali faults hs
loves it STILL and believes, do that II It's leaders will
only open their eyes the drift OF public sentiment they
may guide to still greater achievements. To DO this It
is necessary retain the support Of the independent
voters, who nothing for either party party, bu.
only desire the eOuntrys prosperity and progress
This element hold the balance Of power, and whichever
party gain its supports certain Of For the
past twentyfour years the Republican party has had
this support, and deseryedy But at no time during
twenty years have these independents been 40
undecided whether 10 stick TO the Republicans or
90 TO their adyersaries. Tie independents walt
Ing 10 what attitude the Republican party viii assume
two questions which are OF vital Importance to tho
country OF largeJ
Frst-wlu the Republican "macbne undertake to dc.
tate who the parys shall be- Noyemberl
SccOnd-will Il shirk tariff reformt
the first question the independents have said: You
may make your nominations but YOU cannot elect
unless VIC approve" Ii the Republican lead.
ers forget the tidal wave OF November, 1892, OF
disregard its warning, they must expect to be buried ia
November, 1884
On the second question these independents believe that
while free trade may DO right In theory protecton has
Gone ncalcnaoe good In practice and that IT has been
wise policy; but thev believe, too that tho time coming
when iree trade Will be d necessity and that the sooEer
Degin to dcScend from nigh tariff the easier will be
tho descent; end while they beieys that II would be
suicidal to reduce the tariff that markets could be i'm
lnedatey nOoded WIFE European mahuactured prOdleN,
they still know that manufacture much than
we can consume that consequently we need a foreign
market and that We sell goods IN foreign markets
only upon condition that will take their materials IN
payment They that there are immense CONSUMING
markets almost at our doors whose trade thou;h ours
by right OF geographical position Is diverted 70 Europe
simply because nrod our present eT harm e nat our nc
standing our high protective tartf, business !,
an enormous surplus revepue flowing into the public
treasury and know that they are taxed to raise IL Iney
accumulation of this surplus, and would by oheapenng
the buying price OF every class of merchandise enable
duced and enable manufacturers TO choapen thcO
Of their products, and still further compete IN foreign
The question for the Republican party, then. Is how can
it retain the support OF tho independent eiementl
Well first IL must squarely meet and embrace tarif re-
form. If public sentiment says ANY bling say that the
party which sticks TO high protection IN this campaign
will be defeated And surprising that the Democrats
settle down upon the same policy tne people from pat
experience will put their faith In RepdDhcsn promises
rather than In Democratic. But tho Republicans must
promise what the people want In order TO retain their
In the second place II must bury all factiona feeling
and come to the united party There must be no
more ''stalwarts" half-Oreeds only Repuoh,
cans The necessary degree Of unity cannot be attained
so long ss any member OF either acon pushed iorNa1
for the nomination. Any who has been ldentlned
with faction must smother his Presidential aspirations
and take back seat for his p3Tys ana nis countrys
good BY permitting himself TO he "bO0meo< he may Sc
cure the nomination. but not the election.
The man who, TO my mind, Is better lifted
than any other to occupy The first place on
the Republican ticket, whose nomination would
prevent AN jealousy and reconcile all factions IS william
ii. Evsrts OF New-YOrk; and II the second place Oe
aw arded to Robert T. Lincoln Of Illinois Republican sue
ce IS In November and National prosperity TO the near NJ
ture will assured. Politicians H. perhaps; rdicdle
such ticket, but that only another reason which VIII
tod plainly that they cannot dictate, and u Is 10 their in-
terest LEI the people have their way this ume am
aware that most OF us have preferences aud hard
give them up, but 1t Is tie part oi all good republicans
to sacrifice thcrOw likes 10 their partys AMI thcr con
trv's good. could other men for whose public
character personally, perhaps, have greater admlra
tlnn bar they are well fitted, g. my mnd 10 nj tho
requirements OF the With such standard
bearers and tariff reform for ITS motto, the Grand Ola
party" viii march 60 certain victory. j. VIZ
NeC- York, January 2s, 1884.