The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-12
Recent State Conventions--Thc Last Hope
for tho Republican Party.

| for tho Republican Party.
| The proceedings of the democratic conven-
tions recently held in Connecticut and New
Hampshire have an important bearing upon
the present changes and crystallizations in po-
litcal affairs. The total reputation of the ele-
ment In that party which ruined 1t during the
war and the emphatic endorsement of the
restoration policy of President johnson reveal
decided Improvement 1t is, however, simply
the reflection of the sentiments of the great
mass Of the people throughout the North. In
so shaping their course tho democracy of those
States have shown that they comprehend the
present position of affairs, and are ready, in
obedience to public sentiment, to take sides
with the Executive of the nation in the great
struggle between him and the fanatics in Con-
gress In Connecticut, at least, the democracy
not only have adapted their platform to the
living issues, but have also placed candidate at
furnishes conclusive evidence of the honesty
of their purposes. Voting for the abolition Of
slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862, and
then for the amendment Of the constitution in
1865, while large portion Of his party hest
tated or opposed these measures, he has shown
that he comprehended the great progress Of
events at every step during the last five event
full years. His nomination now is an endorse
ment of his past course, and standing, as he
does, on q johnson platform, every honest, con-
servative republican can record his vote in
favor of him. Between him and radical re-
republican they must vote for the former, or
else repudiate their professions.
II is thus that the democratic party is rapidly
wheeling into line, and boldly assuming a
policy which bids fair to regain that prestige
lost by the folly of their leaders in the past 1t
is thus that they are coming forward in this
crisis and pledging themselves to the adjust
ment Of those difficulties which the public
were anxious that the republican party would
accomplish, but which Its representatives in
Congress refuse to do. The whole tenor of the
Developments during the last six months con-
clusively proves that the people approve the
policy and measures enunciated by Presi-
dent johnson. The republicans succeeded
in carrying the fall elections by making
the people believe that they were honest in
their professions in favor of Mr.. Johnson's adj
ministration. But the course OF that party in
Congress, their opposition to the President,
their violation of their pledges, and their efforts
to prolong and delay the restoration of the
country for selfish purposes, have opened the
eyes of the people and given the democratic
party an opportunity to step forward and make
itself the party of the country. This tho man
ayers Of that organization now sec, and are
taking the steps which Will once more place
them in power, unless the republicans in Con-
gress change their course and repudiate the
extreme measures of the Jacobin faction. In
any ordinary course Of events the republican
party, having been tho war party during our
late struggle, would now, by common consent,
DO the ruling party of the country for long
time TO come. This fact Is In accordance with
established prcccdents in history. But no
party can maintain its power long when IL Is
onco seen that 1t attempts 10 administer the
government in violation Of the great principles
which underlie it. The republicans in Con-
gress, In cndeavoring TO defeat the policy
of the President and In arraying them
selves against those measures inaugurated
by him for the reaijusiment Of the country
and Its return TO peace and prosperity, have
not only violated their pledges to the people,
but placed themselves in a position that must
cause their overthrow and defeat. The pres
tige gained by them in supporting the war will
be Of no avail when the public become con-
vinced that they are using II to continue and
prolong our troubles instead of immediate
adjustment.
Their course, not only in Congress, but also
In the Legislature at Albany, Is opening wide
the doors for the early triumph OF tho dcmoc-
racy. The managers Of the latter organisation
are wise enough to see the golden opportunity,
and in the recent State conventions have placed
themselves in position 70 secure the benefits
Of the folly Of their adversarics. Tho rcpub-
icans have already nearly fooled away their
day OF grace, and mus. soon give way 10 tho
onward march OF the modern democracy unless
the, lnge their course. They have yet time
to ydcem themselves, but that time Il short,
and will soon pass from their reach. When once
lost IL will never return. Repentance will then
be too late. and willnot avail them. The people
are daily becoming frmer In their support
of President johnson. With each development
Of The measures Of the Executive his admins
trstion is taking deeper hold upon The affec-
tons Of tho mas.es. rendering II moro fssmid-
able In resisting attacks from oil quarters.
The last and the only hope Of the republican
party is In yielding to this sentiment Of the
people. II will be impossible for Il 10 main
tain itself in opposition TO the wishes and deter:
mination Of the public. The republican leaders
In Congress, In making war upon Mr.. Johnson,
have strengthened him before the people and
furnished their adversaries better oppor-