New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-07
HISTORICAL LESSONS.

skilled" again! 1t has more lives than a
cat, this Republican party. Ancient history
records that it "ded' before it was born, in
Democratic estimation, being "crushed as
sectional faction" when Fremont was defeated
It was resusCitated in time to elect Presl-
dent in 1850, but even Abraham Lincoln could
not quite please all the politicians. One dimly
remembers that the Republican party was
killed., and the infamous bloOdthirsty war
policy of the Government trampled under
foot" in several States by indignant Democrats
in 1862. But Abraham Lincoln was elected
again in 1864. Then the same party was
"kiIled' once more by Henry j. Raymond's
arm-in-arm convention, and the bolt OF the
bread and butter brigade with Andrew John
son. But losses in 1866 were followed by
Grants victory in 1868. Once more the party
was completely "killed' when, instead of ITO
Republican majority in 1872 the people elected
House with 81 Democratic majority in 1874.
But it was sufficiently resuscitated only TWO
wears later to bury Mr.. Tlden and his ciphers.
History teaches that every great measure
requires some time to get into the popular APP
probation and the people are exceedingly apt
to be caught and swayed at first by the oe]ec-
tons to a strange policy, before they larry
understand it. Reconstruction and negro sun
rage both cost the Republican party a great
many votes at first, but afterward triumphed'
Specie resumption at first met adverse ma
iorities so overwhelming that even shrewd MI.
Tilden committed himself to an attack upon IL,
and then went down when the people TOOK
their sober second thought. The tariff revision
of 1883 was so completely misunderstood al
first that it really made Mr.. Clevelands success
possible, for angry wOOl-grOwers in ONO re-
torted with a Democratic victory, even while
dissatisfied manufacturers at the East were aid
ing Democrats also, as in Massachusetts they
had helped to elect Butler. But the next year
the same States voted to bury Free-Trade agi-
tation. 1t does not follow because the good,
people fail to see the merits OF measure at
first, that they will never see
II would be safer for Democrats and Free
Traders to take it for granted that the Repub-
lican party is going to be stronger after this
defeat than il was before. When the actual
results of the tariff are realized by the country
many thousand voters are going to be ashamed
of themselves because they were SO easily duped
and scared. 1t is fortunate that this measure
cannot be repealed or radically altered until il
has nau AT IfdSt lOur CARS VI h'"'' ASAO'S 'h"o
time its good results will be seen and felt.
Before that time merchants who have been
putting up prices will be scrambling to under
sell each other, unless sooner driven out OF
business by their foolishness. grave meas
ure which affects countless branches OF indus
try in this great country must OF necessity have
unwecome first fruits for some. All the in
conyenienccs and burdens are felt to-day,
multiplied many times over by intentional or
unconscious exaggeration. There will come
time when the benefits will be appreciated.
The Republican party will also be stronger
in some States by defeat which terminates
unwise Ieaderships. 1t will be stronger IN
Others because local questions, like the Saloon
issue in Massachusetts and School law in Wis
consin and Illinois, will be put out of the way.
In nearly all the Western States it will be
stronger when the farmers discover the Demo-
cratic trickery and purpose under some pro-
fessed farmers organizations. But, be the
season of defeat long or short, there is nothing
for the Republican party but to stand manfu!ly
to its principles. It's voters are not of the stuff
to tolerate any forsaking of duty in the hope
of office.