The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-18

De sumclent 10 Sink any cause. THESE are the
plain facts, and every elector in the rural dis
tricts who votes for the Corporation "ringn can
didate, Mr.. Hoffman, will vote to give renewed
life to the corrupt officials who are now on
their last legs and to prevent any reform in
the government of this city.
JOHN VAN BUREN.-The death of Mr.. Van
Buren, will not only be felt very much in the
domestic and social circles, but in political
circles as well. His genial and humorous
character not only rendered him delightful in
society, but gave him great power as politi-
cal leader. It was in this really, combined
with his fine powers Of eloquence, that his
strength lay. The democratic party Of this
city and State lost one of their chief and last
pillars by his death. This event, following SO
soon after the decease Of Dean Richmond,
leaves that party, already much shattered be-
fore, without its main support. Mr.. Van
Buren's speeches, which were always brought
less effective in sustaining the democratic party
than the political management of Mr.. Rich
mond. The loss of one of these prominent
men was severe blow, but the loss of both is
irreparable. Tammany democracy was in Its
death struggle through its corruptions and the
of these leaders; now its dissolution will be
rapidly accelerated.
Mr.. Van Buren, worked hard to preserve the
ascendancy Of the party in this State last year,
when he run on the ticket with General
Slocum, and believed, no doubt, that the
and he Attorney General. He stumped the
State in his usual effective style, but popular
sentiment was against the party he represented
and he was defeated. Even then he did not
give up, but continued to be a leading sup
porter of every movement to preserve his
party. Latterly, however, it is evident he be-
gan to despair. He could see that only the
rump Of the once powerful Tammany organi-
cation remained, and that the party was
crumbling to the dust, like all other WORKOUT
institutions. The language he expressed just
before he died, to the effect that he would give
final support, shows what he thought Of their
condition. Some say this was uttered when he
was delrious, and others while in his senses;
however that may be, it shows the idea which
was fixed in his mind. He has been taken away
from the political arena just in time not to
witness more thorough disruption OF the great
party to which he belonged than has occurred
to any party in this country for long period.
The death Of the party and its great leaders at
the same time is a remarkable coincidence.
The ALABAMA CLAng-MR SEWARD rs HoPE-
FuL.-We learn from Washington that the Sec
rotary Of State entertains the impression, from
the late speech Of Lord Stanley on the subject,
that the Alabama damages will be acknow-
lodged by Great Britain in the spirit suggested
in said speech, and that mutual understand
ing will be arrived at, meeting all future ques-
tons of the kind, through an international
convention to be held either in London, Wash
ington or New York. This is gratifying in
teligence as far as 1t goes; but still it leads US
to the conclusion that Mr.. Seward is entirely
disposed to await the good pleasure Of Eng
land and to be thankful for any small favors
she may think at to bestow in the way Of the
recognition OF these Alabama claims or the
settlement Of the disputed points Of belligerent
rights, insurrectionary rights and neutral obi
cations.
This will not do. Nor is 1t enough that in
its prompt enforcement Of our neutrality
obligations against the Fenians the admins
tration has won the applause and admxation
Of the British government. The door which
was peremptorily closed In Mr.. Stewards face
by Lord Clarendon, in closing the discussion
with our Minister, Mr.. Adams, on the subject,
must be opened again, and plain, dignifed,
cool and decisive demand for the indemnities
in question will reopen the door and bring
out the cash. II is not the opinions Of Lord
Stanley OF any other lord that we want, but q
damages resulting to our commerce on the
high seas from such Anglo-rebel piraticaa
cruisers as the Alabama and Shenandoah. II
Mr.. Seward is afraid to take this step some
other man who will not be afraid ought to be
appointed in his place. Indeed, we know
from experience that in the worst aspects Of
our affairs, foreign or domestic, Mr.. Seward
can only see them through q rose-colored
medium, so that the country has learned to
place very little reliance on his opinions,
promises or prophecies. He is an old politician
who has run his course, and be ought TO retire,
especially II he can do nothing better than CON-
tinue to dance attendance upon the nddlers Of
England and France.
USsEAwoRTHY VESSELS AND OoR DANGEa0us
HARBoRs. last report which we pub
lished Of the disasters ut sea during the
late gales incidentally mentions the founder