The New York herald., 1868-04-04
The Presidential on,est-The Reconstr"c
tion of the Democracy.

The Presidential Con,est-The Reconstruct
tion of the Democracy.
Is there ghost of chance for the demo-
cratic party against General Grant in the ap-
preaching Presidential contest? From present
appearances there is not. The republicans,
under the banner of Grant, are cohesive, because
they are confident Of success. The democrats
evidently feel that he cannot be beaten. This
prevailing impression is naturally operating to
attract the floating materials of the country to
the republican camp, and especially 80 when
the adverse party is not only without field mar
shall but at loss where 70 look for one equal to
the emergency. Tammany Hail. for instance,
knows th.t ..eisi,cr rcrruieton, nor Seymour,
nor Fillmore. nor Buchanan, nor poor Pierce,
nor even Mcclellan, will do to set up against
Grant; and yet the Tammany Sachems can
find nothing better to do than to keep swing
ing around this circle while waiting upon the
chapter Of accidents till the Fourth Of July.
They have whistled poor Andy Johnson down
the wind, disregardful of the last bequest of
the lamented John Van Burcn; they have
turned the cold shoulder npon General Han
cock they have given the go-by to General
Sherman Mr.. Seward is too old, Grandfather
Welles is played out, and it is useless to talk
of Chief Justice Chase.
In this extremity we are reminded of Mr..
Fillmore's opinion that old Francis P. Blair is
the greatest man that ever lived; but, alas
he is older than Seward. Francis p Blair,
Jr., however, is in the prime of life, and
Is man Of talents, o scholar, good
lawyer, first rate stump speaker, an expert
enced politician, and has fine record as
Union soldier against the rebellion. But here
comes in growl from the Albany Regency
''Say no more of those Blairs. Our kitchen is
too small to hold them" What, then, are we
to do? The democratic organ of Messrs. Bel
mont and Barlow has been spreading broad
c,eida foncier of George Francis Train; but
outside of this island, and even inside, the de-
mocracy cannot understand it, Train, in fact
will not answer. Suppose, then, the demo-
Gratis put up, say three Presidential candi-
dates-one in the East, one In the West and
one in the South. How would that plan work !?
Pretty much, VIC fear as the same plan worked
when tried by the wings in 1882 against Gene
raj Jackson, and in 1886 against Van Buren,
II would operate rather to weaken and divide
than to strengthen and unite the party.
Are the republicans, then, under the flag of
Grant, to be permitted to walk over the
Presidential course !? Perhaps so ; but we
hope not. We believe that a decided
majority Of the American people, from Long
Island to the Pacific Ocean, are opposed to the
radicalism, and If the opposition elements
were placed under a new organization
with new set Of books, new leaders,
new departure and popular Presidential
champion, identified with the Union side
in the late war, we believe that the present
complexion Of things would be wonderfully
changed within a month, and that before
November the radicals would be taxed to their
utmost efforts to secure another four years
term Of power at Washington. With Andrew
Johnsons removal, on or about the LIST of May,
and with the transfer of "Old Ben" to the
White House, there will be grand rush for q
new division Of the spoils, and new impulse
to radical enthusiasm thereby. This must not
be overlooked; for there are many hungry
ones who, like the warhorse of Job, ''snufY
the battle afar of" and shout cha, ha!" John
son disposed of, JEFF Davis will, perhaps, on
his new indictment, be next brought to trial,
for electioneering purposes, iffor no other for
thus, in reproducing the events and the
managers Of the rebellion, Davis, with the
postponement Of the judgment in bis case, will
serve as ga good enough Morgan till after the
election, and then he may go scot free.
All these things considered--the popularity
of Grant, the removal Of Johnson, the exalta-
tion of Wade and the trial of JEFF Davis 70,