The New York herald., 1863-04-23

i
| Peep Behind the Political Curtain.
Political intrigues seem to be the order of the
day. What with the divisions and subdivi-
sions, the cliques, "rings" and splits of the
democratic and republican parties, the or
| ganizatiOn of. cOpperhead associations and
Loyal Leagues, the uprising Of great popular
conservative party, and the Independent raids
of those free lances, the war democrats, 1t is
difficult to understand what is the real posi-
| ton of political affairs. A few days ago we
found John Van Buren abusing Fernando Wood,
at a meeting presided over by General Scott,
and arranged by the members of shoddy COM
mittee, while the Albany Regency on the one
hand and the abolitionists ON tie, other looked
down upon the contest, and Commence Cassidy,
Peter Cagger, old Dean Richmond, and WetmOre,
Greeley, Dudley Field and Opdyke, secretly
| soliloquised, in the words of Iag0:-
Now whether he kill Cassie,
Or Cassie him, each do kill the other,
Every way makes our gaint
The State elections of last October and No
vember came like clap of thunder from
clear sky. Since the amalgamation of all par
ties, during the popular enthusiasm for the war
after the fall of Fort Sumter, there had been no
| opportunity Of testing the relative strength
of the administration and its opponents. When
State after State declared itself opposed to the
imbecility and incapacity which had distin-
guished the conduct of the war, the republicans
were astonished at their losses, and the demo-
Gratis were still more surprised at their victory.
The younger, more violent and hasty leaders of
the democracy straightway imagined that the
people were tired of the war, and that the Oc-
tober and November elections were the express
sion of this sentiment. Thus began the copper
head movement, originating in the Legislatures
out West, and finally obtaining the endorsement
| of Mozart Hall. The great body of the demo-
cracy still remained true to the conservative
platform of "the war for the Unien," however.
and the result was split in the democratic
party. The copperhead faction ran their tick
cts in the New England States upon peace
platform. The conservative party had no choice
but to oppose the copperheads. Consequently
| we find democrats joining with republicans to
secure the success Of the administration candi-
dates, and copperheadism received its death
blow from this combination. Had the issues in
New England been the same as the issues in
Pennsylvania New York and the other Central
States the conservatives would have achieved
still greater triumphs.
| In the meantime the abolition party, alarmed
by the October and November elections,
changed its name and assumed a pretence Of
loyalty. Hence came the Loyal Leagues. The
abolition leaders had ridden the negro to
death. All their hopes had been staked upon
| the emancipation proclamation, and, when that
failed, they dishonored their promises, disavow.
ed their predictions, and, like dishonest bank
rupts, attempted to conduct their business
under another sign. A scrutiny Of the names
| Of the originators Of the Legal Leagues will
show that they are the same men who en-
gnecred the abolition party. Negro-worship-
pers protesting loyalty are like wolves in
sleeps clothing aud cannot be trusted. A few
good and true men have undoubtedly been in
veigled into Loyal Leagues by the prctences
OF loyalty and professions of no-partyism so
abu ndantly made by Greeley, Opdyke and
Company; but day by day these pretences are
more apparent and these professions weaker,
and the real purpose of the Leagues will soon
be officially acknowledged, as it has been al
ready unoficially acknowledged by the Che
| valicr Forney, in his declaration that the
Leagues could elect President in 1864.
The few democrats who, like Van Buren,
and DAILY, have spoken at the League
meetings. have an object to accomplish
viz: the annihilation OF the copperhead
faction of their own party. To open fire
upon this faction from the regular citadel of
the party would occasion an internecine war.
The Albany Regency think il more prudent to
send olt Van Buren,, Brady and other flying
artillerists to take up position upon the
League platform. and thus out1ank the copper
heads This explains the strange complications
to which We have alluded and when the real
battle begins, in 1864 we shall see this flying
artillery rssuming its place in the democratic
line. and opening fire upon the enemy.
We have but little sympathy, we confess,
with any OF these struggles and intrigues for
position in the future. Let us be assured Of the
integrity Of the country before we dispute in
regard to the next Presidency. The letter of
General Sickles, published on Tuesday last,
points out the duty Of every loyal citizen. II
is to aid in filling up our armies and maintain
ing them at their maximum strength. This
speech making and President making cones at
least a year too soon. We have no faith what
ever in such Vaccinations. While copperhead
societies and Loyal Leagues run their brief
course. let us attend to the war, and bring 4 to
speedy and triumphant conclusion. When
the proper time arrives we shall kill off this
Loyal League humbug as easily as we have de-
molished the copperhead deusion, and the
people will sweep aside all intrigues, as =
housewife destroys oobwebs, and elect their
own President unanimously.
MOVEMENTS or GENERAL BANKs--Like Gene
raj Foster in North Carolina Banks in