The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-05-29
TIE HOPE OF THE OPPOSITION.

It becomes evident every day that the
Republicans are unable as yet to fOrmu-
late a policy of opposition. AS far as
can be judged from the conduct of the
partv organs. they are puzzled ard per-
plexed by Mr.. Cleveiand's Administra-
tion and 1t is but natural that they
should be. We notice that some of their
more sair-miuded journals are willing to
give the Administration credit occasion
ally for honest purpose aud performance,
while journals of another class criticise
it constantly and savagely, not on &C
count of its actual shortcomings, but
simply because they think it is Demo
cratic. We doubt if this sort Of criti-
cism finds general approval or credence
among. Republicans, more especially
among sensible business men.
We notice, too, that this disposition
to assail the Democracy for its past
leads some prominent Republican jour
nails and leaders to attempt exciting the
jealousy of the North by calling atten-
tion to the increasing influence of the
Southern States and the numoer OF i'm
por.ant offices to which Southerners
have been appointed by the AdmiGistra-
tion. A pretended fervor of indigna-
tion against 'Iehe!s'' and TRAITORS" an
imates a few Republican orators and
newspapers. but we do not observe that
it animates anything else. The North
is tired hearing Republican TRADES
about the wickednes, past, present and
to come. Of the South. 1t is most un-
likely that Republicans put any faith IN
the efficacy of their attempts to revive
sectional auimOsities. They would
raise some other issue than that discard
ed one if they bad any other to raise I;
but for the present they must be con-
tent to thresh over their old straw.
There was a hope among them that a
| quarrel about the offices might arise be-
! tween the Administ ration and iDtiuen-
| tial elements of the Democracy, and
! that :hen the Republicans might foment
| the quarrel by standing by the Presi-
dent. That hope must be getting faint
/ er. as the Administration is getting
more and more Democratic every day.
| As far as the offices are concerned, shere
| is a growing probability of q contest be-
! tween the Administration and the Se-
! publicans in the Senate next w er,
! and a lesseniDg probability of contest
1 between the Administration and the
! Democrats. At least we hope so. 1t Is
| supposed that tr1uhle may come from
stirring no the tariff question again, and
here, perhaps, the Republicans may wiz
an advantage and find an issue but that
| depends upon the tariff refOrmers, and
! the moderation and sense of responsible
! ity which ought to be expected from
/ them now that their party has come in
/ to power
! But the quarrels or the mistakes ot
| their sdveTsaries must be the main hope
| of the Republicans. They are not like
/ ~ to have any other programme thar
Democratic dissensions, and no device
Of their own will avail them if the De
mocracy keeps solidlY together and car
ries out the administrative reform whicf
is its pressing duty and the immediate
need of the country. The Republicans
have learned from defeat the necessity
of making concessions for the purpose
of maintaining substantial unity. Viii
tire Democracy, which has owed so many
defeats to its own folly. be wise enough
not To abuse its triumph ? Will the Ad
ministration remember that it can q
without disaster no further than tht
rest Of the party is willing to 90 ? Th'
country is fairly we'll pleased with tht
Admiuisl ration at present, and the Re
publicans are at loss in what way bes
20 assail it. They are waiting for tn
Administration to furnish them will
weapons.-N Y. Sun.