New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-31
uEy-WBO EyBODY PRINCIPLES.

II is remarked at Chicago that there is little
discussion among Republicans about prlnci-
ples-that the question for the Convention Is
one of men. That is not strange. 1t Is crealta-
BILE to the Republican party that when Ma
tional Convention comes, it does not have to go
into an elaborate investigation to find out what
the party believes. Neither is it chiefly wor-
ricd as the Democrats usually are, to decide
what beliefs it can most advantageously pre-
tend to have, or what promises it can make with
the best chance of success. The Rcpubllcan
party has beliefs which have been expressed in
the administration of the Government for the
past twenty three years, and have borne fruit
in the marvellous growth and prosperity OF tho
country, and in development OF resources
which seems almost incredible. The party Is
not ashamed of these beliefs, has never been
afraid to avow them, and does not have TO
discuss the matter much, when any small fiag-
ment of Free Traders proposes the adoption OF a
different policy. Without any caucus or consul
tation, all the Republican members of Congress
except four voted against the Morrison Iarlf
bill. In like manner, without any waste OF time
in discussion nearly all the delegates i'll a Re
publican National Convention may be expected
to " sit down on" any effort to switch the party
oil on free trade side track. Debate about the
matter would be unnecessary.
This is SO manifest that the Free Traders do
not attempt to secure any direct or open
change in the position of the party All that
they hope to gain is the nomination of a candi-
date who will in reality be somewhat in sympa-
thy with their aims. If they could get such a
man nominated, whose close association with
~ ntc vi a
tain class of New England manufacturers had.led
him to lean toward those who call themselves
Tariff Reformers" they would with reason
think they had gained a substantial victory.
Hence it is that as the captious Democratic
critic observes, the talk at Chicago is all about
men," The Free Traders are quite willing to
keep their opinions in the background, Ii there
by they may pcrchance get candidate i'll SYM
pathy with those opinions.
The sincere friends of protection conscious
that they represent an Overwhelming majority
i'm the Republican party, may possibly overlook
the fact that, under cover of some prominent
names, good many delegates have been
selected who do not represent the Republican
party as to the tariff question. Thus, men were
chosen delegates in New-YOrk and Massachu-
sets on the plea that they would favor the nom
nation of Mr.. Edmunds, who turn out to be ac-
tive and jealous members of frcc-trade organi-
Sitions. President Arthur too, has a good
many friends in the Convention from the chief
Importing cities and from the South, who are
really his friends not because they particularly
like him personally, but because his course ON
the tariff question and his association with New
York importers make him acceptable. Hence
it is that there Will be great many more
votes for a candidate acceptable to the Free
Traders than there would.bc for any modica-
ton in the platform OF the party.
We believe that the tariff question will de-
eide the Presidential election. If the Republi-
can party dominates a candidate whose record,
whose known beliefs and whose lifelong as
sociations,make him an embodiment of protec-
tive principles, it can appea. with absolutely lr-
resistible force to the working people OF the
doubtful States. The miners OF Ohio, Pennsyl-
vania. New-Jersey, New York and Connecti-
cut, and the men III furnaces, mills, foundrles
and factories in those States, will give to such
a candidate a hundred thousand Democratic
votes. But candidate whose record is cloudy,
or whose position would have to be explained
and vonched for, could make 10 such gains.
The Republican party can carry each of these
decisive States, if it pleases THE TRIBUNE
believes that it ought not TO run any risks; ;
that it should not throw away Ga powerful re-
serve force which would decide the contest be-
You'd question.