New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-27
prpUBLICAN PARTY PROSPECTS.

How long is the Republican party 10 con-
tinue in the ascendancy? Did ii return In
1888 only to DO retired in 18g2, or is It's new
lease n long one? Senator Morrill, answers
these and cognate questions in temperate
article which he contributes to tho July number
OF "The Forum" on Republican Party Pros
poets" He argues that with tho aid OF the
younr and vigorous forces which are being
mustered into its service IL Is the party whose
tenure Of political power will be maintained
for a long period and be likely to embeilish
the advent of the twentieth century" In sup
port of this proposition the Senator presents
number Of cogent arguments growing out OF
the history, the present condition and the ten
dency of Republicanism and Democracy. The
contrast thus presented is full OF interest and
admonition to the voters.
The past Of the Republican party bears the
great seal of popular approval. No other po-
litical organization ever rendered greater or
more faithful services. During the war and
the reconstruction period ID was indeed tho
right arm of the Government. Mr.. Morrill,
mentions nine notable acts which stand to its
credit. These arc the Tariff Act OF 1851 the
District OF Columbia Emancipation Act; the
Free Homestead Act; the Anti-Polygamy Act
the act providing for internal revenue Tor the
support OF the Government; the act giving
lands to establish colleges in every State and
Territory; the Natl nal Bank Act the Eman-
cipation Proclamation, and the act (of 1889 to
proyide ways and means for the support Of
Government during the war period. tree
Is known by its fruits, and such are son'e u .,
the magnificent fruits of Republicanlsm' 10
is easy b find flaws in the past OF the party
an organization composed Of fallible men can
not in the nature Of things be infaihnie-ou'
the shortcomings, the sins Of omission and com
mission are as the small dust Of the balance In
comparison with the patriotic achlevemepS'
And in order thoroughly to appreciate this fact
I. is only necessary to remember what tho Dem
ocratio party was doing while its young nVai
was rendering the country services OF meal
culable value During the war II was the nope
Of accession and after the war, while the ne
pubhcans were earnestly engaged in framing
legislation which was designed to preserve the
fruits of the great struggle it played the paru
of stumbling -block
Ii is right to argue q glorious future Tor the
Republican party because its past Is glorious.
With parties as with individuals, what has been
generally determines the character of what is
to be. Passing from the past TO tho present
and future of our politics Mr.. Morrill,, while
expressing the conviction that his party will
be found equal to all Che demands Hade upon
il, points out the perils to which it Is i'm
mediately exposed" vexed questions that Will
require a full measure Of sound Judgment Tor
their prudent consideration and determination"
These are the administration OF the Civil ser
vice law, the silver question and the negro
problem. Will the Republican party overcome
these perils or be overcome by them? In
virtue Of It's history one is fully warranted in
asserting that 1t will overcome them. They
are difficult problems but it has successfully
solved many equally arduous. And what OF the
Democratic party Of to-day? The rum power
of the North and 152 solid votes in the South
give it considerable strength, but it is wrong
ON the great issue Of the tariff, and with the
general knowledge Of It's lack Of nearly all
sound National principles its chances Of pO-
litical success have been seriously diminished.
CHANGING ahead, Mr. Morrill, is encouraged TO
hope for Republican success for several addi-
tional reasons. The new States are all likely
to be Republican with the possible exception
of Montana; the votes Of our foreign-born cit
liens are getting TO be pretty evenly distributed,
with a growing prcponderance in favor Of Re-
publicanism; the sons of soldiers can be ex-
pected to vote as their fathers fought while
" the memory Of Henry Clay and the American
(tariff) system has become fragrant and is no
longer provocative Of harsh criticisms in South
ern attitudes"
Republican party prospects are good. Tho
facts presented in the Senator's paper lead to
that conclusion and cannot be controvcred.
Our Democratic friends will find what Mr. Nor
rll says painfully interesting.