Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-23
Northern Elections.

The Connecticut elections are exciting much
interest, aud, as was the case in New Hamp-
shire, the contest is between the Republican
and Democratic parties. This being the case
there is no use in looking for any other result
than Republican success. No new party has
been formed, and moderate Republicans, how
ever much they may approve the Presidents
policy and disapprove the excuses Of radical
ism, are not going TO transfer themselves to
the Democratic party, thus recognizing II as
the Presidents party Speakers representing
both political parties are going from Washing
ton to canvass the State Each side is making
vigorous efforts. If the Republicans succeed,
as they are likely to do, the radical wig will
Immediately claim the result as defeat Ofthe
President, and a rejection Of his restoration
policy. 1t is much to be regretted that old
party ties and affiliations should be regarded as
of paramount importance, and should be al
lowed TO smother the real opinions and wishes
Of the people. Under the present organization
of parties, there are great numbers Of men who
cannot so vote as to give expression and effect
10 their real wishes and opinions. If they have
been Republicans, they vote against the Demo-
Gratis if Democrats, they vote against the Re
publicans. But there is no way by which a
voter can express by his suffrage simply his de-
sire TO sustain the President. It is true that
the Democrats, with one accord, support the
President, without being the Presidents party,
but thousands who are warm friends Whis ad-
ministration, from habit, distrust and old pre-
JUDGES, refuse to ally themselves with that
party. They would be happy to cast a vote
for the Administration, but are not willing to
surrender to the Democratic party, against
which they have so long commended.
The Republican managers have acted with
their accustomed shrewdness. Anxious to
preserve their organization, they have fallen
upon the plan Of so constructing their plat
forms as to reconcile the support Of President
JOHNSON with the support Of the Radical Con
gress. They declare in favor of both. This
may be rank hypocrisy and proaigacy, but it
has thus far answered the purpose. The man
who condemns the Presidents policy and the
man who approves that policy go to the polls
together and vote the same ticket, the effect
being to sustain and strengthen Radicalism and
to weaken and cripple the President.
This anomalous and unnatural condition Of
things grows out Of the want Of a new party
an Administration party-and unless such a
party shall soon be formed the people will be
swindled by the leaders, their most anxious
wishes thwarted, and the President will be
placed in the attitude Of being condemned by
those who are his warm friends and admirers.
There is but one mode by which effect can
be given to popular sentiment the policy OF
the administration be successfully maintained,
and the country rescued from the ruin with
which it is menaced and that mode is by the
formation, OF the looming together" as the
President expresses it, Of new party. To
this work the people should at once address
themselves. They must form a party, and it
will have to be formed by the fusion Of all the
conservative elements in the country. All old
party names and organizations will have to be
abandoned. Not single one will suffice as a
nucleus on which to form the new party. They
are all alike corrupt, selfish and etete. The
individuals composing them hate one another.
They will never agree to act together. This
would involve a humilisting surrender that
none are willing to make. Until the names OF
Democrat, Wing, Republican, Radical, Copper
head, and what not, are sacrificed, there can
be no accord between the people that cOnstitu-
ted these organizations. Each Of these names
is hateful to all but those called by it for, in
politics at least, names are things" fresh
start must be made under a new name. Nor
must this new party, if it would be sue
cessful, be compounded of organized factions,
with their separate flags and their appointed
leaders. II must be formed out Of primary, in
dividual elements by the people, without bar
gains and pledges, and all must enter it upon
equal terms.