The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-19

The New. Political Battle In Maane-A
New Organization OF Parties.
The democracy Of the North recognize the
fixed fact that their Chicago platform has gone
down with the Southern rebellion, the Southern
confederacy, Southern slavery and the Atlantic
cable; and in casting about for new point Of
departure they are beginning to rally around
the administration. The radical abolitionists
on the other hand, with the extinction of South
ern slavery, are moving heaven and earth to
get up new sectional agitation and new
division of parties on their demand for imme-
diate and unconditional suffrage to the eman-
cipated blacks of the rebel States, as the essen
ton condition of their restoration to voice in
our national affairs; and upon this issue the
abolition disorganizers are taking ground in
fierce hostility to the administration.
In the State Of Maine, for example, the
Republican Convention Of the 10th instant
adopted platform which, although in general
terms signifying little or nothing, expresses the
confidence of the party in President Johnson,
still emphatically asserts the right of the col
Ored people to the elective franchise, and holds
the ground that the Southern people should be
kept under provisional governments until it
has been proved that their loyalty may
be trusted, and that they ought not
to be admitted to representation in
Congress until they have prohibited slavery
in their State constitutions and removed
color disabilities in all matters of political
rights. This is tantamount to declaration of
war against the restoration programme of Presi-
dent Johnson. But the democrats of Maine,
cutting loose from their party trumpery and
dead timber-the accumulations of the last
thirty years-have emphatically resolved that,
"banishing narrow considerations we will cor
daily support Andrew Johnson in the policy
he has taken towards placing the rebel States
in their proper position. and harmonizing con-
6icting questions"
Thus upon this new issue Of negro suffrage
the republicans Of Maine have boldly entered
the field in hostility to the administration,
while the democrats as boldly declare that
they will cordially support Andrew johnson
in the policy he has taken" This new divi-
sion OF parties will probably eliminate in an
attempt TO Tylerize President johnson; but
there is every prospect that, should the attempt
be made. the consequences will be even more
disastrous to the party concerned than they
were in the case of Captain Tyler. At all
events, from this new order Of battl. between
the republicans and democrats of Maine the
results Of the September Maine elections will
be Of tbe highest political importance 10 the
whole country and to all parties concerned.
From the beginning Of the present century
Maine. as district Of Massachusetts and as a
State, has pretty faithfully given The Grst popu-
lar manifestations Of the various political revo-
buttons through which the country has passed.
From the time Of the first Presidential agitation
Of the claims Of Andrew Jackson, especially,
have the elections Of Maine revealed the chang
ing currents Of public opinion from one party
and one policy to another party and another
policy, down to this day. She has almost as
surely sounded the signal of each Of our great
political changes as the Empire State Of New
York has given the decisive blow. Therefore
we shall look with more than ordinary interest
to the results Of the Maine election of the
AAess N"y VI HOAS OOPoCiAOCi- ~ Will kO very
far to show whether the public mind Of the
Northern States is settling down to the calm,
considerate and conservative policy adopted
by Andrew Johnson for Vie full reclamation of
the Southern States, or is ripe for the immedi-
ate experiment Of unconditional negro suffrage
in the South, with all the hazards Of violent
political agitation and q bloody conflict be.
tween the two races Of that section.
: From all the signs of the times around US
East, West North and South-the great body
of the people Of all parties, and all races, too,
have confidence in the wisdom and sound
patriotism, liberality and humanity of Presi.
dent johnson. The prevailing belief is that hc
is laboring faithfully to restore the Southern
States upon solid basis Of loyalty that be is
aiming to do justice TO Southern whites and
blacks, and that If he is moving slowly be is
step by step moving safely and steadily on.
ward. The American people, we cay, place
great confidence in the wisdom of Andrew
Johnson, from his long and eventful experience
ia The South as q public man, and from his
thorough knowledge of all the difficulties TO be
considered In changing the Southern black pop
ulation from the restrictions, the ignorance and
Of slavery to the political rights Of
freemen. A Transformation In the relations of
these people to their white neighbors so vast
and comprehensive cannot be made in day,
nor suddenly attempted by outside pressure,
without danger Of a violent collision between
The two races. This collision President John
son Is endeavoring to avoid, 10 policy which
looks to the ultimate concession Of negro suf-
rage by gradual approaches. He does not wish
10 step from war Of sections TO a war Of
races, but wishes rather, by every practicable
'oncilistion, to harmonic the two races of the
south under the new order Of things before
even agitating the question Of negro political
equality.