New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-28
ys THE 1EAGrE IND ITS MISSION.

The great gathering Of Republican Clubs at
Cincinnati and the election of the Hon. j. S.
Clarlson as its executive leader should be the
opening OF n more earnest sustained and Wig
orous campaign of education than the country
has ever seen since that which closed with the
first election of Abraham Lincoln. 1t is not
new idea to thoughtful Republicans that the
work of popular education and information has
for many years been far too much neglected.
The great army of Republican journals has done
what it could, but each with its own limitation
of circumstances, of local and sectional feel
ing. and of individual interests and needs. For
thorough enlightenment Of the public regarding
the principles and objects Of the Republican
party another force altogether has been required.
Leaders have too often occupied themselves
mainly with the distribution of Offices the COM
bination of diverse elements and personal in
forests or the direction and perfecting Of party
organization, all good things in their way, but
far from satisfactory substitutes for the en-
hghtenment of the people. When contcStshave
come such leaders have too often taken short
views addressed themselves to the task Of
manipulating local interests or prejudccs, and
hidden the glorious principles of Republication
lest they should offend or brighten somebody.
Thirty years have been spent in this way in
some States with scarcely an effort to bring the
people to understand what Repubcanism means.
Not. long ago, when vigorous speaker had set
forth in a certain Western city the reasons for
Protection he was told by an intelligent and
experienced leader who had heard him: "That
is the first genuine Protective speech that has
been made in this State to my knowledge for
thirty years" II had been the fashion of local
politicians there to echo in every campaign the
empty and meaningless clamOr for reduction Of
duties as if that were OF necessity reducing the
burdens of the people. Straightforward advO-
cacy of the principles Of Protection had been
almost unknown in that quarter. During al!
this time generation of new voters has grown
I'D. Millions of new voters have come hither
from foreign lands who have no conception of
a genuine American policy. 1t is a marvel that
in spite Of all this neglect in some quarters the
belief of the people has moved steadily toward
more uncOmpromisng support OF the Repub-
lican policy and it is a striking proof of the
power of that policy to yindicate itself by re-
suits which men recognize in their own expert
ence.
The Nation must now be educated as thor
oughly and Systematically as II was IN the
favor of Free Soil. Free Speech and Free Men
to a we'll grounded and unqualified belief in the
protection of American suffrage, and the protec-
ton of American industry. This is not a work
to be done in a month or in a year. Il will re-
ouire patience, eamestncsS, Seh-sacrifce in
thousand ways. 1t will require the zeal OF
youth united with the experience of age. No
other force is so well fitted for this great and
most necessary work as the League Of Repub
lican Clubs and if this directs itself 10 that
labor, rather than to the carrying of conyen-
tons and partition of Offices, it will become the
very life and soul of the Republican party.
1t is unfortunately too easy for clubs. as for
individuals, to seek local and temporary success
rather than the enduring triumph OF principles.
1t is easy for clubs. for individuals. TO spend
more time in contending about honors, offices
and spoils than in missionary work. But clubs
that suffer themselves to be thus degraded from
their truest and highest Office always have short
lives and limited influence. That great BODY OF
Republican voters which cares little about offices
and spoils. but much for the welfare and honor