New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-11
THANESGIVIN0.

Conscientious Republicans, ana not lew up
| right citizens who adhere to Democratic oene1s'
will recognize this day with deep thankfulness
the care of that overriding Providence which
has SO often saved the Nation from fatal error.
| Said an ardent and most active Democrat, on
the morning of the election Acting according
| to my best judgment, as is my duty, snail 40
what is possible for my party, but l have add
ing faith, if its defeat is best for my country,
il will be defeatedv Free from the passions OF
the contest surveying its progress and result
with sincere desire for the welfare OF the
Nation. conscientious citizens of both parties
| NAV to-day rejoice that the verdict has been SO
decisive that no dispute can cloud the title OF
the coming President; that he is to be sustained
by Congress in harmony with his behe1s, SO
that practical action for the public good Will no
longer be prevented by conflict between dlifer-
emit branches of the Government; that q change
of industrial policy, for which majority OF the
people were clearly not prepared, no longer
menaces the prosperity which has been at
tanned under the legislation Of the Republican
party that the unjust exclusion of great bodies
of citizens in the growing Territories is no Ion
ger to be continued for partisan reasons; that
the resort to dishonest methods in elections has
not prevailed and that the appeal to sectional
passions at the South has again been proved I'M
wise by the resistance of practically united
North, and has failed in some Southern States
to command the approval of the people.
These are results at which all good citizens
can rejoice 1t would have been National
calamity if legislation regarding the surplus
revenue, the census and the consequent ap-
portionment, the admission Of new States and
the purity of elections, had again been pre-
vented by the partisan antagonism OF two
houses of Congress. In respect to all the great
business interests of the country action in
harmony with the best opinions of either party
is far better than no action at all. The people
have already suffered much from the inability
of Congress to act on such questions. Now that
there is to be Republican President it is a
blessing to the whole country that there is also
to be Congress ready and able to act in har-
mony with his beliefs.
The attitude Of the two parties on the ques-
ton of the tariff was such that great number
of Democrats must regard their defeat with real
relief For they were not able to feel sure that
the measure proposed by their representatives
was altogether wise or safe Discussion had
disclosed the ignorance of its trainers and chief
defenders as to great industrial interests. 1t
had placed In strong light the remarkable pros
perity which had been enjoyed under the exist
ing policy, and no thoughtful citizen could fail
to realize that the change proposed would be
| leap in the dark With multitude Of Demo-
Gratis in doubt whether the policy Of their party
was judicious, a decision in favor of that party
would not have faithfully represented the tudg-
ment OF the people on the tariff question. But
it would have encouraged leaders to press for
ward In course which the majority OF the
people was not, in fact, prepared to sustain.
THE TRIBUNE does not believe that upright
citizens are to be found in one party only
| There are Democrats, and the number OF them
has of late greatly increased who feel that the
methods employed to secure Democratic vic
tory at the South, and in some Northern cities,
could not prevail again without great peril to
free government. 1t is not necessary to GEN.
sure these men because they were not prepared
to help the defeat of principles to which they
were sincerely attached But they must now
regard with deep satisfaction the fact that a
Solid South has again been proved the surest
road to Democratic defeat. 1t has not pleased
loyal Democrats of the North to see vindctive
passions of former disloyalty kindled so per
sistently for years past to see men selected fol
honor or reward only because they were once
in arms against their Governments or to have
the prejudices Of race aroused throughout tho
South, to the peril of society in many localities
as the only means Of keeping Democrats in
office.
1t will be strange, indeed if the result of the
lot o1action doae pot conviuce Dpn1OcratS in
Southern States that they can no longer resort
to such methods with any hope Of success. II
they realize that sectional party can never
hope to impose its will upon the people, and thai
their policy in future, in order to succeed at all
must be such as to command the intelligent ap
proval of a majority in some Northern States
not controlled by foreign influence in single
corrupt city, the result TO the country will b.
far-reaching and benefcent.