Year: 1875

II is said by contemporary that thi. lis
an off year in politics, and now is probably
the very best time to overhaul the matter.
weed out the drones, the bunglers and the
negatives. and do the party's work for its
success. The contest Tor the party's life
comes on next year. Can We 60 into that
contest depending on bunglers. drones and
negatives as our leaders, with one-halt of
our forces repelled from the ranks with dis
gust at such leaders! This is the question
that we should first settle. prior to any con
tempiaeed reorganization of our forcee; and.
in fact. without this question being sal!sfac.
torilv settled, it is useless to contemplate
anything beyond it; for men who zealously
strive for success in any cause are unwilling
to 90 into contest under the leadership of
notorious failures


Wise men are not in the habit Of being
taken by surprise. In expectation of a
conflict. they calmly view, the field and
arrange their forces. If this 70 what is
technically called in politics an ''of1 year."
it is year to be succeeded by one of the
most important elections in the history of
the country. The Republican party can
boldly face the people with its record.
though it may be marked by the imperfec.
tions of human nature. What tina. record
is-what the Republican party has done
has been so c!everly formulated by the
New York Herald that We give i: with
pleasure:


..It has done noble deeds. It sa-ei the
Union: destroyed secession: emancipated
the slaves. lifted the republic from the
position OF a group of contending, angry
States. into that of a proud. defiant nation,
ranking with tho great powers of the
world. We are a nation. and this Wa owe
to the Republican party


That there are drones, bunglers and neg.
atives among Republicans in the South. and
perhaps elsewhere, is probably true. But
they form so infnitesimal minority that
they can not effect the great result. In
come localities such persons may be known.
and may depress more sensitive minds.
Such may be even pointed at as among a
prominent few. who became prominent by
accident. But, as the leaders of the Re
publican party are, for the most part, tried
and true men, any other kind of people,
though in high position. is sure to meet its
level.


Never were Republicans more in earnest
in their preparations than for the approach
ing campaign. Depend upon it, men who
have failed when they ought to have sue
ceeded are not the men who will be trusted,
to any great extent. A reorganization Of
forces throughout the country has been go.
ing on, and will proceed until every move
UleUb Will Uc uduc Will tAC pACCiSlOu OA al
army. Of course this implies that defec-
tive and inefficient leadership must give
way to the leadership OF men Of bold and
sterling character. The time that tries
mems souls will soon be upon us. Zeal and
wisdom will be necessary to insure success.
No Republican who values the true prin-
ciples of human progress ~can be in
different to his party. The advance made
by the nation during the last decade-an
advance greater than had been accom-
plished during the fifty years of Democratic
rule-was the work of Republicans. In
deed, the country needs the Republican
party. both to develope and lead it onward.
The Democratic party, if in power. would
only drag it backward into the darkness of
the past. Republicans, however, have an
abiding faith in the national common sense
and the nationa, conscience; and respecting
both, the Republican party viii use its best
endeavors to rectify errors, to put aside
public men who have rendered only q half
hearted service, and to erect Q standard
from which to appeal to the people who will
hear their call and rally to their support
The Republic.