The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-01
NEW YORK HERALD.
Wv 1o.a, .unany, Nov. NIB r ,, $50.
Progressive Democracy-The Revolution In
Parties.

short time since alluded to the progress
sive spirit that has lately become incorporated
with the pol teal parties in the United States
a spirit that is really progressve-that despises
all rules and all checks-which rs daily and hour
ly creating changes and innovations, and which
seems uncomfortable II would seem as if it is
new impulse that had been nshlled into p,litics,
which laughs at the experience of the past, and
is precptatng men and things on a course hi
therto untred and unknown. The old men-the
heroes of many campaigns, attempt to check it, but
their attempts are useless-the spirit is ungovern-
able and laughs at the bride 1t shows itself in
various phases, but cannot conceal its identity
II shows itself in advocating abstract principles
of rght-of changes involving reconstruction of
society--of Fourierism, abodonism, anti-rent-
ism, nfdelity national reformism and all the
other isms of which the day and generation are
so prolific. No sooner does it conceive princi-
pie to be right than it seizes it, and without look
ing back at the landmarks of the past for guide,
IT madly proceeds to carry it out, if the history
of the world had but Just commenced
We see evidences of this progressive spirit
daily in both the wing and democratic parties
Look at the composition OF the wing party and
see the many discordant elements OF which it is
composed. Compare that party as it existed ten
years ago, and as it is now, and one would hardly
recognize it. Then it had its metes and boun-
diaries, certain and defined. Now it knows no
limits, and embraces Fourierism as one of its
cardinal principles. Look at the democratic
party ten years ago, and compare it with the
party of that name of the present day. Then
you will see it under the control Of the
sages of Old Tammany, who, in the great
HaGn ne,fin md ito act
Piles. Look at it now, and you will see it under
the control of new men, of young men, and those
sages are hardly allowed to participate in its di-
rection, but are compelled to stay in the back
ground, and shake their grey heads at the new
order of things.
We have strong evidence of thi, new spirit
at the meeting at ! ammany Hall on Friday even
ing last, when prominent man of the party got
up in the face of the Old Hunkers, and proposed
a precedent, involving the reorganization of the
party, and subverting all the principles on which
it has hitherto been based. This precedent was
Immediately adopted by the thousands present,
with reclamation, and practically carried out by
their submitting 10 him candidate for office,
IN the face Of his constituents, number of queg-
lions touching his political opinions. This prece-
dent having been adopted and practically follow
Gu, IL Is embodied win tnose OF the party.
Another instance may be cited at the same
meeting. A resolution was proposed by young
man, and carried emphaiicaly, declaring as the
opinion of those assembled, Or in other words, of
the democratic party, that the public lands should
not be looked upon a source OF revenue, but be
let to the actual cutvator in small quantities. free
ofprice. This is new elemen, in the democra.
tic party, and embraces the principles advocated
by the National Reformer., who will now, we
suppose, be merged into the democrats
Here are two great and fundamental changes
made in one OF the great political parties in one
night, without reflection, but on the spur of the
moment, both of them being, undoubtedly, the
offspring of that progressive spirit which we have
attempted TO describe.
We shall carefully watch and note the progress
ofthis new spirit, as it developes itself in all par
ties and associations