The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-01

Cycles Il f'OittneoI Feft1eos
The old democratic party has breathed il
last and to. day re enter upon new era in
national politics The Convention at Charles
ton has split, and, whether it be on men or on
measures. the practical result is the same.
The late proceedings at Charleston prove
,hs, the democratic organization has worn
itself out. and that party divisions In the
country have TO be ranged hereafter on other
issues than thost on which the political battles
Of the past have been fought The democratic
party has fulAlled its allotted time. Like its
great predecessor, 1t has run Its cycle, and
buried the entire generation Of men who
founded and led 1t. A complete generation
has grown up since, and the new men who are
now on the Geld find new circumstances around
them, and new necessities TO meet The politi
cal history OF the republic exhibits two COM
plete political cycles, which have long ago been
classed In the popular mind a. the times of
the founders AMI the expounders Of the con-
stitution. Each Of these cycles ran through a
period Of thirty six years, being equivalent to
the passing awsy Of an entire generation Of
men.
The fret political cycle, that of the founders
of the constitution, began In 1888, and ended
In 1924, with tte Presidency Of Monroe. He
was the last Of the Revolutionary list Of Presi-
dents. The patty divisions of the 6rst cycle
were mainly on the question of sympathy with
one or other of the forms and spirit Of govern
ment then existing In Europe. The republican
party, with Mr.. Jefferson at Its head, leaned to-
wards the new order OF things then sprineing
M In France. while the federalists led BY
Hamilton, inclined 70 the form and spirit of the
English government The contest was in
sensely bitter, and eliminated in the war of
1912. and the Hartford Convention, which gave
the last blow 10 federalism. The triumphant
party, losing is great antagonist, and with II
iu own cohesive power, fingered on through
a the era Of good feeling" with no particular
object or polly in view, and impelled in It's
action BY new circumstances which did not ex.
ist At The time Of la organization. Among its
acts were the creation OF the National Bank aud
the incipiens consideration Of the free trade
theories that we're then beginning to sgitate the
political world. In 1924 i've candidates ran
for the Pre.idsncy, and the three which obtain.
ed the largest popular vote went before the
House Of Representatives for election, a. pie.
scribed by the constitution
Here began the second political cycle, Ia
which parties ranged themselves on domestic
questions. under the leadership Of men almost
exclusively from the ranks Of the old republi.
can or Jeaersonian party. The tariff in all its
bearings on rsvenue and industry, the national
bank with IL relations 10 currency aud ex-
change. and ihe question whether internal i'm
provements should be made by the federal GO
vernment or by local and individual exertion.
called for frequent and constant interpretations
Of the constipation. The founders Of the Union
had passed away, and the greatness Of the exi-
r,pcy called forth the highest powers among
the vouns lsaders. Jackson developed vast
political agfc''y ana sam'n''"suFe sohhy'
C.lhoun go unsurpassed In analysis, Web.ters
.rouueu,a,ive power was unequAlled, and
Cnsv "a. A. peerless orator Of his time. The
...,u,,. ran pigh. andthe intensity Of popaisr
s..,,rg for . tbile equslled Ia s,,srassstss Of