New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-28
UNITED EFFORT.

The Republican party in this city has now
an opportunity to meet the accusation which
has done more than anything else to bring it
into disrepute. The charge that it existed, or
at least was managed, solely as trading shop;
that it had no principles nor convictions, but
would sell out to the best or the worst elements
in National or local affairs for some momentary
gain, has had too much color of excuse. Too
often sincere Republican voters who wanted
to stand by their principles in an earnest effort
for worthy candidates, have found that barter
ing politicians have left them in the lurch, and
the natural result has been a great decrease
of interest and confidence in the party at times,
failure to increase in proportion to its oppor-
tunities, and habit with many Republicans
of asking, when an election approached not
whether their own candidates were worthy, but
which of various Democrats was least unworthy
1t is not needful here to discuss the motives
for that barterng of votes which has been so
pernicious in the past. Everybody knows this
about it, that some politicians are too sharp
for public trusts, and are so hungry for the
petty gains close at hand that they could not
see or care for the infinitely larger advantages
to be secured by steadfast fidelity to principle
But in the coming election there is every mo-
tive for cordial and united support of the whole
Republican ticket A straight Republican vote
for the whole ticket would in all probability
elect Harrison and Morton, the object first in
Importance to all Republicans; it would also
elect Miller and secure control of the State
government; and it would in all probability
elect a Republican Mayor, with the enormous
power which that officer will be able 20 weld
during the coming term. All these great VIC
tories can be best attained by straightforward
and earnest effort for the whole ticket, and
there is infinitely less probability that either
one Of them can be attained in any other way.
Within day or two Democratic papers Will
be full of false reports OF Republican trading,
against Harrison and Morton for some local
candidates, against Miller for the National or
city ticket, or against the city ticket for the
State or Presidential There is not the slight
est ground for these reports, and yet they are
certain to appear because-let Repubncans
take warning from the thought-the belief that
some men are bartering one way will induce
others to barter for or against other candidates,
and so the entire Republican strength may be
1rltUpreQ anu loOltu away. gum iSPNi'"' w
tain to appear, will do small harm if the con-
duct of Republicans clearly proves them false.
But if there should exist al any time IN the
campaign color of reason for belief that the
friends of either Republican candidate were
trying to sacrifice his associates in order to help
him, the result would be a resentment disastrous
to his prospects.
In that very fact lies the strongest assurance
that even the most jealous friends Of either
National, State or local candidates will not
venture this year to sacrifice the partys interest
They are shrewd enough to see that it cannot
be done without consequent disaster to those
they wish to help. That gun is a blunderbuss
this wear. which will surely kick harder than
it will shoot The only way to help any can
didate safely is to help the entire Republican
ticket, and triumph in the Nation, the State
and the city may fairly be expected to reward
aightforward and resolute efforts to that end.