Year: 1868

Inc new OrK 1tncS, lcadlng repuD-
lican paper, in discussing the Chicago
platform, thus shows up some of its weak
points, and also few of the weak spots in
the radical party:


AS matter of policy not less than pro-
priety, we think that the whole subject OF
impeachment should be avoided. There
was no necessity for an allusion t o it, and
certainly none for specific endorsement of
the proceeding, or All implied censure of
those who refused to concur in the desired
result. Nothing would have been easier
than to exert the whole weight of the con-
vention in the support of congress and its
policy as opposed to the president and his
course, without raising question about
the merits of which the a5lest and most
useful members of the party honestly diff
fer. The resolution touching the subject
might, perhaps, have been worse.


The incorporation of the amendment
suggested by Mr.. Cochrane and with
drawn-in terms censuring the senators
who were unable to convict on the / 1th
article-would have rendered what is in
judicious and in bad taste absolutely offen-
sive. 1t would have been, in effect, a sem
tence of prescription against cstimable and
influential men, and would have tended to
impair the unity and weaken the moral
strength IF the party in the contest. Per-
haps We ought to be thankful, if not sur
prised, that this threatened difficulty has
thus far been obviated. The disposition
to create it is there in strong force and
the resolution as adopted probably expires 3
es the best attainable compromise. If it
does, the sentiment Of Carl Schurz, tha t
"yictory will be true to the republican
party as long as the republican party is
true to ITSELF" has in the resolution a very
equivocal commentary. That party is not
" true to itself" which confounds judicial
forms with partisan ends, or brands con-
scientous difference of opinion on questions
of legal construction as recreancy to right
and principle.


In certain other respects the platform
sounds ironically Declarations in favor
Of rapid reduction Of taxation and the
strictest economy in the administration of
the government, are unassailable as ab-
stract propositions. Every man not fed at
the public expense will hold up both hands
for them. Buta republican convention in
1868 ought to have been able to present
something more effective than promises.
The party has been In power long enough
to have gathered rich store of perform
ances. 1t should have been able to go be-
fore the country with record of services
rendered in regard both to retrenchment
and taxation. The public purse has been
for years altogether in its hands. 1t has
had exclusive management of the appro-
priations and exclusive power over the
forms and amount of taxation. How hap
pens it, then, that in a platform intended
to set forth its claims to continued conf
dencc it has nothing better to offer than
resolves in favor Of reforms which it has
obstinately and culpably neglected Why
is it that no serious attempt has been
made to enforce even moderate economy,
and that, in consequence, the abolition of
taxes must be followed by their reimposi-
ton or by large addition to tho debt !?
These are weak spots in the party's rec
ord. They are condemnation of its re :
cent congressional career, and sorry ex-
emplifcation ofits fidelity and capacity in
fiscal and financial affairs. OF course its
shortcomings III the past are not a reason
for emitting pledge for the future. But
they detract somewhat from the strength
of SO much of the platform as relates to
these subjects. and may also serve to mod
crate tho confidence every republican is
supposed to feel in the hold Of his party
upon the intelligence and patriotism of the
country.