The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-13

cal parties, and the unsettled state of the
various questions before the country, the APP
preaching fall election in this State, for which
the plans are now being industriously laid
down, will be the most important since the
time of the contest between Jefferson and
Adams, and the rivalry of Jefferson and Aaron
Burr which succeeded it. At that time the
first formation of parties occurred since the
triumph of the Revolution Of '76, when they
arrayed themselves against each other under
the titles of the republican and federal parties.
The issue then was clear, distinct and broad.
1t was based upon the foreign policy of the
government, to be shaped upon the existing con-
flict between the two leading Powers of Europe.
1t has been said that State rights and other
questions made part of the difference between
the two parties. But that was not so. The
leading issue was upon our foreign policy, and
nothing more. The party which obtained
ascendancy then in the government of the
country has preserved it since, with the eXcep-
ton of a few brief intervals. The nomencla-
ture, it is true was changed, but the principles
remained.
Parties at the present moment are divided
into three divisions:-The radical, or shoddy,
republicans; the old democrats, and the admins
tration and its friends. If we can judge from the
declared ideas and certain circulars of the
shoddy radicals, their principles comprise: first,
inveerate opposition to the reconstruction
policy of President Johnson, upon the allegation
that the Southern States are still under military
law, and that they should be kept in that con-
dition for an indefinite period /; next the advo-
cacy of universal negro suffrage in the South,
without any condition as to such qualifications
as intelligence or capacity to exercise the fran
chise with judgment; and next, the absurd
doctrine of Jay Cooke that the national debt is
a national blessing.
Judge Chase appears to be the leader of this
party, and Jay Cooke, who is the appointee and
organ of Chase, its "guide, philosopher and
friend" This latter doctrine is utterly opposed
by the President and the Secretary Of the
Treasury. Mr.. McCulloch, most able financier,
has pronounced the national debt great ma
tonal burden, and recommended that it should
be discharged as soon as possible. In this
view the great mass Of the people cordially
agree They are not willing that the debt
should assume the proportions of four, five, six,
or perhaps ten hundred thousand millions, &C
cording to the philosophy of Jay Cooke & Co.,
and Chase, Wendell Phillips, Greeley & Co. The
people have to bear the burden on their
shoulders, and they have no desire that the load
shall be increased.
Upon these three main questions, then, the
shoddy radicals declare themselves explicitly.
The old democrats-the disihtegrated me mbers
of that party which was defeated at the last
election for want of common sense and a super
fluffy of bad leaders, together with mistaken
policy-wou!d, no doubt, favor President john
sons views on negro suffrage But the demo-
cratic party has now no policy nor any leaders.
Among the floating particles of all parties-the
waits and strays who have lost rudder and
compass on the sea of politics, whose troubled
waves for the past four years have washed away
all the old landmarks-are men of sound sense,
with no strong political affiliations at all. All
these will probably be found on tho side of the
administration.
In this state of affairs we are drifting towards
the fall election; and hence it's Importance.
New York is the controlling State of the Union,
and of all the States is the only one that can
define the organization of party and mould
it into shape from the dscordant materials at
command. This city is the centre point Of the
State. It sustains the interests and ministers
to the prosperity of all the other counties, and
it pays nearly half the taxation of the whole
State. These facts might suggest an issue
which any party looking to success at the COM
ing election could select to run upon If the peo-
pie of the State generally take proper interest
in the metropolis, they will aid any movement
to obtain for it a good and economical govern
ment. The interests of the entire State are
bound up in those Of the city, and party ad-
vocating the reconstruction of the city govern
ment as q leading portion of its policy would
undoubtedly have immense strength. Gov
ernor Fenton is the reputed head of the radical
party in the State. Let him accede to the de-
mands made upon him to clear out the whole
government in toto, including the Mayor,
Comptroller, Street Commissioner, City In
spector and Croton Board, and appoint new
men who will carry out new policy. If he
have the sagacity to do this he may save his party
for another year. 1t is only by flank move
ment like this that it can be done. II he runs on
the basis of opposition to President Johnson's
policy the party has no chance at all. 1t will
be inevitably smashed up.
So much for the radicals. As for the pros
poets of the democrats-who are no doubt
willing to sustain the President in his ideas
upon negro suffrage-they have permitted the
party to fall to pieces through the stupidity Of
its leaders and the Introduction Of false issues
and 1t is only by remedying past evils and by
sustaining boldly the political views Of Mr.
johnson with regard to the negro, and the
financial views of the Secretary of the Treasury
on the speedy liquidation Of the national debt
that thew can carry the masses with them