Year: 1873

The publication in connection with Mr..
GrOesbeck's refusal to be a candidate for
Governor of Ohio, of that gentleman's letter
written last May giving his views of the
political situation, has revived a somewhat
languid interest in the discussion of the Ques-
ton whether there is or is not any vitality in
the mOribund Democratic party, and whether
it is worth while to undertake to resuscitate
it. The insuperable- difficulties in the way
of such an undertaking were set forth at
length in THE TRIBUNE last April in connec-
ton with a cOnvulsive effort on the part of
one Democratic organ to galvanize the body
by the application of Free-Trade test. The
situation since then has changed in but very
slight degree.


Mr.. Groesbeck is a statesman whose utter
ances ought to command more attention and
have greater weight than almost any other
of his party. 5 A lifelong Democrat, he has a
record of loyalty to his party without stain of
inconsistency or deviation from its principles
or candidates. From the opening of the
war he was War Democrat, supporting the
Government in all the essential features Of
its war policy, though criticising frankly and
oftentimes severely its departures from what
he had been educated to consider the prin-
ciples of the Constitution and the spirit of free
government. When the war closed be- was at
one with his party, and was active and in
fuential in the advocacy of its distinctive
measures. The depth of his attachment
for the old party is exhibited in the
letter =, which is the subject Of com
ment, q wherein, - after stating his belief
that it has lost its usefulness-"is is spoiled ~
oid In ri ori1 ION
"and enter into new one,n he says /" If they
refuse and prefer to tarry where they are for
the balance of the century, and until they can
fix the meaning of the resolutions of '0S,"
he shall tarry with them )" for after all he
likes them and likes the old political home
stead.n "There are no banners on its walls,
I" and victorious shoutings are no longer heard
q" within, but it is home still,n he says and
he "shall not leave it until it is pulled down."
Such an exhibition of affection for the old
party must give weight with his associates
to his words when he says the party is
dead, and the house should be pulled down.
But is not alone his sincerity that commends
him. Mr.. Groesbeck is man of affairs, q
statesman of very clear vision, ripe expert
ence, and unimpeachable integrity; natural
leader. Without having ever been a politician
in the later agnifcation Of the word he has
been always more or less in public life, not
seeking Office, but accepting public station, and
giving faithful, conscientious service whenever
called on. No one of all the Democratic lead
ers is better entitled than he to advise, and no
counsel could be freer from self-interest or
safer to follow.


The main feature of Mr.. Groesbeck's letter,
that which excites most remark, is his frank
admission that the Democratic party has no
longer any pretext for existence. His sum-
mary Of principles, or body of doctrine for
the new organization, is perhaps clearer and
more concise statement, but does not differ
substantially from the general plan of oppo-
sition to the tendencies and policy of the pres
ent Administration, which has been suggested
heretofore and was practically the basis OF