The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-09


especially in New York and New Jersey. are
very interesting and significant In New York
the democrats have suffered heavy defeat,
although their standard bearer was that able
tried and trusty Union soldier, General Slo-
cum, and their platform the sound and popular
restoration policy Of President Johnson. But
the republicans held the vantage ground Of
occupation, the prestige Of the war and Of the
September and October elections in other
States, the party claim of possession in regard
| to the President, In addition to a soldiers
| ticket and Johnson platform. Moreover, a.
the comparative losses Of the two parties will
show, the virus Of copperheadism operated
more to the prejudice Of the democrats than
did the mutinous spirit Of the abolition radicals
against the discipline and unity Of the republic
can party. And again, while the demands upon
the republicans in support Of the administra-
ton were generally consistent with the ante
cedents ideas and purposes of the party, the
transformation of the democracy at Albany
was too much and too violent for harmonious
right about face of the rank and fle The dis
lance between the Chicago and the Albany
platforms was too great to be crossed at .
single bound.
These are our conclusions from the narrow
view of the results in New York as mere
party affair. We shall touch upon q broader
solution presently. 1t comes upon us irresist-
IDLY as we approach the result in New Jersey.
Here the republicans had q democratic major
ity to overcome of seven thousand--equal 10
fifty thousand in New York-and they mastered
it. How? BY tho folly Of the democratic
managers in adhering to the dead issues Of the
past, and in ignoring or fighting the living and
controlling issues of the present. For example,
there is the constitutional amendment for the
abolition and prohibition ofslavery throughout
The United States. 1t wants a ratification from
three more States to make 1t part and parcel
Of the supreme law OF the land, and so to
secure the peace of the country against any
possible attempt to revive the discord-brecding
institution in any State hereafter. The demo-
cratic Legislature OF New Jersey last winter
refused TO ratify this amendment. II was sub
sequently proclaimed as leading feature OF
President Johnson's restoration policy. But
while the New Jersey democracy professcd an
approval Of his policy they set up a candidate
for Governor who fatty denounced said amend
mcnt "a naked usurpation by the consolidated
despotism at Washington" The people of New
Jersey have decreed otherwise, for, in adhering
to President Johnson in good faith, they have
chosen Governor and Legislature that will
ratify the amendment.
Here, in this emphatic verdict OF New Jersey,
we discover something Of the popular strength
Of President Johnsons policy. The people
recognize the important fact not only that
great rebellion has been put down, but that
much towards great revolution has been ac-
compiished and that Andrew johnson has the
work still to be done properly in hand, and
that it must he finished. Fitzpatrick and his
legion of soldiers, warm and dusty from the
battle fields of the South, have said so, and the
voice Of the people is the voice Of the army.
II is Andrew J0hnsOn's restoration policy,
therefore, which, against their copperhead
abominations and affiliations, has routed the
democracy from Maine to California, and
broken up even their last stronghold Of New
Jersey. The Disguised cOpperheads and the
disafiected radicals have largely staid at home.
The administration and Its honest supporters
among the people, including the intelligent
soldiers of the Union, have carried all these
late elections.
The republican party are naturally jubilant
over the results; but they must not forget the
agencies through which they have been Sc
cured. They must not forge, that they
owe their successes 10 their professions
of cordial support of President Johnson
and they must bear in mind that,
as events have proved they have acted wisely
in rejecting the disorganizing counsels of such
radical fanatical leaders az Charles Sumner
and Thaddeus Stevens. President Johnson,
from his sagacious and satisfactory reconstruc-
ton programme has become the master of the
situation. SO recognized by the republican party
let them adhere 10 him in good faith, and they
may prosper The chances for resuscitation
of the unfortunate democracy appear to be
gloomy. But we are still in the transition
epoch from the old to new order OF things,
aud its constantly changing phases may greatly
change the relations Of elements and organize
ton OF our political parties. even within the
next three years. Experience, too, has shown
us repeatedly that when a party becomes so
powerful as to bear down all opposition, it be-
comes so unwieldy as to fall TO pieces from its
own weight.
The old democratic party, poisoned by the
rebellion, is dead and done for. Like the old
federal party, il cannot be revived with its re-
cord against peoples war. But its broken
fragments like the Southern States, may be
reconstructed upon better foundation; and
from the chapter Of accidents and vicissitudes
in our public affairs new dominant party
al Washington may form its nucleus, and
within the interval to the next Presi-