The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-03
The state Election.


1t is reasonably certain that the Democratic
party in this State will make no more by the
Albany movement this year, than it did by its
Syracuse dodge year ago. That was the first
election after the close of the war. Up to that
rime their actions, as a party, had been against
the national administration, against the prlnci-
Piles by which the war was justified, and the
measures by which it was carried on, against
coercing the seeding States, against abolishing
slavery, either as war measure, or by amend
ing the Constitution, and against the whole sys-
tenn OF policy oy which the administration had
sought to suppress the Rebellion.
AT Syracuse, in September, 1865, the Demo-
cratic Convention abandoned their old platform
and adopted new Cne-accepting the results
OF the war, acqulesclng IN the abolition OF
slavery inoorsing the Administration elected
by the Union party, affirming principles almost
identical with those of the Republicans, and
selecting most OF their candidates from men who
had been prominent and active in the Republi-
car ranks. Their object in all this was perfectly
apparent. They sought their own reinstate-
ment in power. Accepting Union principles,
they were not willing to accept the Union party;
they accepted the principles, indeed, only 70
secure the overthrow OF the party which had
always held them. The purpose was not an
honest one, and the people refused to aid or
abet 1t. They would not trust the Democratic
party to carry into effect principles and mea-
sures they had always resisted, and which they
espoused now only 10 oregain place and power
They we're overwhelmed at the November cleo
tions, as they deserved to be.
The Albany Convention was only q repetition
OF the same trick after better preparation, and
under what were supposed to be better auspices.
The Philadelphia Convention had indicated q
strong desire, on the part of patriotic men in
both sections, for a restoration Of the Union
upOn Just and constitutional principles; and
there was a large body OF the people ready to
waive their party relations for tnis specific pur-
pose, and cooperate in measures TO give this
desire effect. The Democrats believed they could
use this disposition Tor their own party purposes.
They seized upon lt-not to cooperate III carry
ing it out,-Out to make it do their party work
make 1t reconstruct their shattered organlza-
tion, regain the public confidence they had for
teited, and restore the Democratic party to its
old asccndancy in the Stale and nation.
Every consideration connected with the
should be defeated. No disaster could be
graver OF more serious to the country than
the return OF the oo Democratic organiza ton
10 place and power. The public good i'm
DeIativey demand the defeat OF Mr.. Hoffman aud
the reelection OF Governor Feuton, by a majority
! at least as large as that which he received last
! year. In no other way can the determination
! ofthe people not to place the Government in the
hands OF that party which tailed to defend 1t IN
It's hour of peril, be made clear and unmis-
taxable. The Democratic party, as such-as
an organized political body-is utterly and
hopelessly discredlted with the people. IL has
| lost the power, If it had the Will, to render
! the country any useful service Its control is
in the hands OF the least patriotic and the most
selfish and corrupt OF its members. 1t aims
only at selfish ends, and seeks them only by the
most corrupt and interruptions means. Tht
action of the Albany Convention was dictated
! by those who WELD the power and share the
spois of Office in the City OF New York. The
! dominant purpose which controlled that Con.
venion was the determination to resist reforms
perpetuate abuses, and augment the corruptionS
1 which yield such lavish returns to men il
office; ana the welfare of the State, as well as
the interests of the city, demand that this
design should be defeated.
The election Of Governor Fenton and the
Union ticket by q decided majority at thu
coming electlon following, as we have no doub
it will similar results in other States, will breat
up effectually and finally the Democratic party
as it has been organized and directed for the las
| five years. It will compel ITS dissolution an(
| reconstruction. Thoroughly defeated nov, tina
/ party can never regain its strength or renew it,
successes. Properly reorganized, and animated
by new and higher spirit, it may still have
J useful mission to perform in connection witt
the future career of the republic. 1t may modlf,
| and moderate the action OF rash ana eXtrem,
men in The Union party, and so help bring tht
Government to that golden mean which is al
ways the path of practicrl wisdom and of ma
tonal safety. But it can never regain publ,
confidence, or be again intrusted by the peopl
of the nation with the coatrol of its public
| policy.