The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-02
ELEVENTH HOUR CONVERSION.

ELEVENTH HOUR CONVERSION.
For the second time in the present
week it becomes our pleasant duty as
the official organ Of the Republican
party In Rhode Island to offer to the
Providence Journal the sincere con-
gratulations Of that party and to ex-
tend to it, after its long ostracism, a
hearty welcome to the rank and file of
those who love Republicanism, not only
for what It has been, but for what it is.
At such a time it does not become us
to review the Journals record of the past
ten years, during which time it has
had only sneers and contempt for the
party of Garfield and Lincoln, and Bit
terest denunciation for the principles of
protection to the American labor and
the advancement of this country's indus
trial prosperity. Neither is it fitting to
inquire by what means it has thus been
induced to abandon it's assumedly indie
pendent doctrine that whatever is, is
wrong; whether it has in fact been re-
generated by II own modest teachings
or whether it has been induced to change
front 70 suddenly by a lucrative means
Of persuasion which dignified journalism
prevents us from more explicitly decrib-
ing, is not the important question.
Nor, lastly, is it important to question
how long the present partial virtue may
last; it is to be hoped that it may be per-
manent. for if SO, we shall be able to
prove that Poor Richard was wrong
when he said "a wolf may change its
coat" occasionally, "but never its char.
acter." The paramount issue is that
yesterday and to-day at least the Jour-
nal is partially advocating the princi-
pies of the Republican party, and for
that we rejoice.
While, however, we may not have
great confidence in this eleventh hour
conversion, we may at least be honestly
thankful for so much. But lest we may
be guilty Of that 'too liberal praise that
doth not befit the tongue" we shall be
compelled to correct convert and
follower in some respects. The Journal
must remember that at present, what
ever may have been its distant past, it
not for any political party or for
any considerable number of men, but for
alone. Its individual opinion
so far as it goes, is a good one, but it can
only be an isolated opinion for years to
come. and unless the Journal can prove
it's right to speak for more than itself
we must place it in the same category al
it SO tr~uthfully places Grover Cleveland.
that is among those who have as yet to
"show tho credentials Of their author
The Republican party does not need
the Journals assistance nor does it now
care. for its uncertain advocacy. What
the Journal should do if it intends to
prove its sincerity of its present con-
.victions, is not to advise the election of
one man, but to urge the necessity of
the election of the whole ticket from the
head of il down. The issues at stake
are not national alone. They are local.
And their influence is national only as
the local results are complete and entire.
The partial success Of the Republican,
ticket would be severe local calamity.
but it would be at the same time a ma
tional disgrace to the party. What our
new convert needs TO realize moro fully,
therefore, is that the complete ticket
should be elected when that is assured
all secondary issues will take care OF
themselves. Let ms have the Republic
can Governor, State officers and Legis-
and the national Republican
party need not fear that either the State
will be a disgrace or that our senior
Senator, who has honored MS so much 10y
his untiring labors in the past, will be
forgotten.
We must remind the Journal that the
party has entered this CAM
TO win as a party, and that if il
us. n the official organ of the |
,arty. to accept its free will Offering. il
must first accept the full list Of Repub-
lean candidates. must heartily endorse
Is principles of protection and honest
money, for the party must stand or fall
IS n whole. and with all its doctrines,