The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-07-06


hold OF the right end of the main question.
The Disbandment or the Democratic
Party.
After having been divided and subdiyided
BY the free-soilers, the Southern seccssionists
and the peace faction at the North, the demo
cratic party is at length officially disbanded by
manifesto from its representatives in Con-
grcss. The organization, which lost the conf
dence Of tho people by its course in regard to
slavery and the rebellion, will now, in all
probability, be merged in the new party
which is to be started at the National Union
Convention called to meet at Philadelphia
in August Since the conservative repub-
licans could not come into the democratic
ranks nor the democratic army place it.
self under the command of conservative
republican leaders, compromise has been
effected by which both parties may unite in
forming new organization and fight together
under new name and new ban
ner. The Southern men are expected
to join this novel coalition and to re-
cruit it to formidable numbers. If the plans
already made public can be successfully
carried out, and if the democrats, conservative
republicans and repentant Southerners can be
fused into one harmonious mass, the result may
indeed be a National Union party that will
have a working majority at the North and be
absolutely unopposed and supreme at the
South.
The new movement did not at first present
any very threatening proportions. That the
johnson Club at Washington should call a
national convention was by no means
surprising. Political clubs occasionally
indulge in that sort Of thing, and yet
nothing serious happens. Neither was it
so very strange that such Senators as
Dixon and Doolittle should endorse the call;
for !! was naturally expected that they would
take part in any demonstration intended TO
support President johnson and oppose the
radicals. The organs Of the destruciives,
therefore, affected to ridiculc the movement
for while, and outsiders regarded II with
philosophical Indifference. But since then 1t
has gained strength every day, and from
cloud no larger than mans hand II has grad
ually increased until 1t now almost obscures
the political sky. The radicals have begun to
abuse it in the most extravagant manner, but
their wrath seems 10 assist it, and 1t Is now
generally recognized as extremely dam
gerous, not only to the party Of Sum-
ner, Greeley and Thad Stevens, but
also to the old democratic organization,
whose leaders and organs have been endeavor-
ing TO aid the radicals by arguing feebly against
il from its FIRST inception. There is evidently
general bolt on the part Of the conservative
republicans in favor Of the Philadelphia Con-
vention. The idea Is well received by the
South, and delegates are promised from every
seeded State. And now, wheeling into line
at precisely the proper moment tho demo-
cratic representatives disregard the orders OF
their leaders and the appeals Of the corrupt
democratic organs, and urge their constituents
to go with them into the National Union camp.
The manifesto of the democratic Congress-
men is very similar in tone and spirit to that
Issued hT the conservative republicans 1t
warns the people that dangers threaten the
constitution and the county, and urges them
to send wise, moderative and conservative del.
egates to the Philadelphia Convention to con-
suit with their fellow citizens from all parts of
the Union and decide upon the means by which
the constitution and the rights which it guar
antees may be practically maintained. But
the important point is, that just as the con-
sentative manifesto recognized the inadcquacy
Of the republican party to the demands Of this
crisis, so the democratic manifesto tacitly ad-
mits that the old democratic party is powerless
for good, and must be superseded by some
other agency. Reverdy Johnson, Garrett Davis,
General Rousseau, James Guthrie, Thomas
A. Hendricks, Andrew jackson Rogers,
Il, C. LIE Blond, and ell the other rep
rescntatives, small and great-with the excep-
ton Of those from this city, who ore completely
befogged and at sea-unite in this view. They
point out the evils to be averted, but they do
not pretend that the democratic party can
avert them. On the contrary they distinctly
advise thepeople TO look outside Of that party,
and Of all other existing parties, for the hope
ofsafety. In effect, then, the old democracy is
disbanded. Its dag has passed; its prestige is
lost; Il is AZ dead as the old whig party, and
nothing remains but to give II decent burial
and write its obituary and It's epitapb. whe-
Their the Philadelphia party will inherit Its
effects and be strengthened by Its rank and Ole
IL for the future TO determine; but at any rate
II will never figure again as a great power ct
the polls.
A long time ago we predicted that The era Of
~ nx .
full OF astounding incidents and revolutions,
and we also warned the democratic leaders Of
the decease Of their organization. But while
politicians from ell other sections Of the coun.
try gave heed to our words, and The repub-
lcans here have been wise enough 10 build
themselves an ark TO be launched next August,
in which to weather the storm The democratic
leaders in this city are still confused and help
less Al the very moment that their organs