New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-07
THE CAUSE OF REPUBLICAN GAINS

THE CAUSE OF REPUBLICAN, GAINS
The undertow is in favor of the Republican
party this year. Vermont tells the same story
that Oregon told, that the Republican party is
stronger than it has been at any other time
since the war. Indeed. the figures from these
two States would justify still stronger state
ment. Oregon has never given so large pu-
raity to any party in any other election as
that State gave to the Republican ticket this
year. The Republican plurality in Vermont. if
correctly reported will be the largest ever
known in that State in any contested election
for Governor the vote in Presidential cleo
tions being usually incomplete. because Of the
useessness Of Democratic effort.
So the Democratic majority in Arkansas is
large and it pleases Democrats to observe that
Southern solidity grows as well as Republican
strength at the North. They are welcome to
that consolation. 1t may be conceded that
they have the power to count for themselves
whatever majority they please in Southern
States, and they will probably exercise their
power. The election is to be decided in North
crn States however, and the very fact that the
entire South is fanatically in favor of the pres
ent free-tiade and roBritiSh Administration,
thinking men viii realize, is one Of the causes
of Northern opposition to that ADMINISTRATION
The House Tariff bill was not only an ignorant
and laundering measure, but the most section
al tariff ever framed. If it is to be the rule
that tariffs shall be framed for the sectional
interests Of the South the bill! may seem to
Southerners to deserve Southern support. But
Northern States do not believe that tariffs
md at n :
determined in their opposition as Southern
States in their support
Stronger than ever, the Republican party is
more united and more Jealous, for reason
which few men fully appreciate 1t is human
nature to find fault with what we have, and to
strive for something better. Perhaps that ten
dency is more strongly developed in this coun-
try than in any other Criticism of everything
and everybody has become so much habit
that foreigners may easily imagine it the rule
for Americans to believe whatever is Is
wrong" So during twenty-five years Of Re-
publican rule criticism was perpetually directed
at the Republican party and its shortcomings.
An entire generation grew up under the con-
slant influence of this criticism From early
boyhood men heard of Republican faults, and
cratic behavior in power.
The last four years have enabled the voters
to see what the Democratic party actually is.
Men who never can read history, or if they read
cannot get at the meat OF it, sec daily events
and understand them They take look every
day at the sort Of men who hang round the
post Offices and other places held by the party
in power They read enough of the story Of
current events to know what sort Of men have
been selected for important places OF trust.
They know that Garland is in the Cabinet and
Lamar on the Supreme Bench. They know
that appropriations are larger under this Ad-
ministlaion of sham economy than ever be-
fore. They know that the foreign interests
and honor Of the country are being recklessly
and madly risked in the game Of craftsmanship.
They know that every year the party in power
under the control Of fanatical Southern Free
Traders has threatened and disordered the in
dustries of the whole Nation, in its desperate
efforts to overturn system which has made the
growth and prosperity Of the United States the
wonder of the world. Having seen Democracy
tried. they are disguised. That is the meaning
of the returns thus far, and it is likely to be
he meaning of the returns in November.