New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-12
TIE OPPORTUNITY FOR REPUBLICANS

THE OPPORTUNITY For REPUBLICANS
There are two kinds of Democrats at WASH
ington, each oontendng for the interests OF
faction of one party. There is nobody left to
look out for the interests of the Nation except
the Republicans in Congress, and that crcum-
stance constitutes their rare and golden Oppor-
tunity.
One faction of Democrats angrily declares that
the election of Mr. Mills as Free Trader, point
ing to the nomination of Mr.. Cleveland as Free
Trader would have meant for the Democratic
party death and burial The other faction de-
clares that the defeat of Mr. Mills, inasmuch as
he represents the only cause which has drawn
to the party great army OF voters and has won
its successes, means defeat and destruction. The
supporters Of these factions arc doubtless as sin
cere as they are passionate. Meanwhile, the one
thing altogether plain is that they are thinking
of party politics, and not of the public welfare.
They are fighting about the distribution of Offices
during the next Presidential term, and evidently
care infinitely more about that than about the
prosperity of the country. TO them the cry OF
Free Silver on the one hand, or Free Trade on
the other, is nothing except tool with which
to unlock the Treasury, a weapon with which to
beat down political opponents; in other words,
device by which to get the Offices for themselves
But somebody ought TO be thinking about the
good of the people OF the United States. During
the coming session. it is already obvious, all sorts
of questions concerning the business, the indus
try, the prosperity and the honor OF the people
of the United States are going to be passed upon
by the majority in the House of Representatives,
with strict and sole regard to the possible par
tsan advantage expected from action or nom
action. Neither one faction nor the other will
in fact care a thousandth part as much about the
result of measures to the people and the pros
pelity of this country as it cares about the po-
ltical effect of those measures respecting the
nomination for the Presidency, the election OF a
President and the subsequent distribution OF
offices and contracts. But who is to look after
the interests of the people of the United States?
Whom each question comes up in its turn, and
wrangng Democratic factions are talking and
voting with an eye single to the spois, who is
to set forth the effects Of this measure as to the
public prosperity, as to the industries which af-
ford sustenance for millions of American cit
liens, as to the honor and power OF this Repub-
lie among the nations of the earth?
That is obviously the work which the Re-
publicans In Congress have set Tor them. Ihey
owe to the Democratic party an enormous debt
of gratitude for giving to them task so con-
genial and 50 worthy. Happily, it will not be
in any degree necessary for them to dispute
among themselves, with reference to the ad-
vancement of this or that faction, for differences
among Republicans regarding choice of men
do not prevent hearty agreement regarding the
principles upon which the welfare Of the country
is believed to depend So while Democrats are
talking and voting partisan politics, and cheap
fractional politics at that, it is the privilege and
honor of Republican Senators and Representa-
tiyes to discuss and to act for the well-being Of
the people of the United States. If our Demo-
cratic friends imagine that the contrast will not
presently strike the intelligent people of this coun-
Try, and influence their votes, there is a prospect
that they may find themselves much mistaken
before the session ends