Year: 1875

B1D TACTICS.


If we might give word of advice to the
leading minds which are expecting to shape
the Republican canvass in this State, we should
say, Don't be too smart. Better be simply
honest resort to no tiickcry or drmagogIsm at
tempt no sharp practice, but stand straight up
and take whatever fate has in store whether
il be defeat or victory, or something between
the two which il neither 1t is not good
time for pettilogging. There 5 been so much
of il in cur politics in the past few years that
most people know it at first sight They un-
derstand the nature of pleas in abatement,
pleas to the jurisdiction, and most of the
shystering tricks by which avoidance of the
actual issue is effected and judgment upon the
merits prevented or postponed. II we might
venture a suggestion to the exceedingly able
persons who directed the proceedings OF the
Saratoga Convention, and who inspired that
body to make Its most bOisterOus demOnstra-
tions of approval at the references III the
speeches and the platform to the subject OF
sectaiian Interference with the schools, We
should he tempted to quote to them ,he slang
of the street, "lt's too thin" IL is ingenious
as a political trick; smart" as piece OF
tactics; but fortunately the time has passed
for such things TO succeed with the people.
Whatever may be the issue iii Ohio
or New-Jerscy, there is at present certainly
10 pretoxt for thrusting that question
into prominence in the canvass of New
York. Tie sudden interest in this subject
manifested by the Republican managers can
ONLY be accounted for by their anxiety to
distract attention from other questions. Nothing
in recent legislation or public discussion could
provoke such demonstrations as those at Sara
toga The people, instead Of being aroused by
the appeals which were so effective in the
Know Nothing spuIt of twenty years ago, only
look on wondelingy at the unexpected break
ing ont, and naturally inquire the cause II is
not far to seek. Men who have observed the
WAYS of politics and the methods of politicians
for many years past-and the number is not
small, thanks to Independent journalism-havc
no difficulty in discovering the motive and The
purpose which undrrlie this sudden feryor.


1t will not do The Saratoga managers can
not change the issue, choose the field, or force
the fighting. What they can do is to accept
the present situation, be honest and above
board in their treatment of the questions which
are actually pending, and wait patiently. The
most sagacious of them, all OF them, indeed,
who have any sagacty whatever, admit that
they are at disadvantage ; that Gov. 1ilden
by his zeal for reform, or his consummatc
managcmcnt-call it what You will-has put
his party in a commanding position from which
they cannot be dslodgcd except by their
own blundcrins 1t is the pl!t Of
worldly wisdom to admit this and consider it
seriously a. the most important factor in the
situation. If this state of things produces dis
couragemcnt it calls also for patience and
resignation. 1t has been brought about By the
blindness and persistent folly of the Republi-
can leaders, and they will do well to accept
the penalty with becoming nechDcss, and no
unnecessary and useless struggle against fate.
BY this we do not mean that they should
abandon the field, or abate i'll the slightest
degree their efforts for the success Of their
candidates. But they must remember that they
are on trial before the countryupon the sincerity
Of their professions. They could not afford,
in view of the larger stake of 1876. to in
dulSe in pcttifogging even If it promised sue
cess They certainly cannot afford 20 try it
when it 50 obviously not only cannot help
them, but must seriously injure their standing
with the people next year. A Republican de-
feat in this State i'll November will be in no
sense a calamity to the State or the party.
Honest Republicans may console themselves
with the fact that the Democrats have been
forced to take ground in favor of reform, and
to put their reform professions in practice.
They may be cOmforted, too, by the further
fact that if there are rs many rogucs in the
Democratic party as their opponents have rep
resented, the prosecution of Reform measures
will inevitably divide and destroy that organ
ization. SO that they may well consider the
prospect with philosOphc cquanimity.


If other encouragement is needed by any
honest Republican who breads the effect of a
Democratic victory in NcwYOrk upon the
country. he need only consider that the party
here is not the same as in Ohio and PennSyl-
vania and many other States, end tht ST.
cess here is much more lincly t, II E.. !: AL