The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-01

RK HERALD, SUNDAY, I
mocracy after the October State elections GER
tain cliques and rings of spoilsmen, gamblers
and Bohemians got up regular hue and cry
for change Of the democratic ticket, pleading
that Blair was the Old Man of the Sea upon
the back of poor Sinbad the Sailor, and that
be must be takeR off, This cry OF distress
came too late. The ticket could not be
changed; but, peradventure, Mr.. Seymour,
I'm swinging round the circle" Of Johnson,
might still do something to divert the cur
rent of the fight. Hence Mr.. Seymour has
made his expedition on the money question
and is returning homeward by way of North
ern Pennsylvania, while the red-hot demo-
cracy of New York are rejoicing over the pre-
sence and speeches Of General Blair on
reconstruction, thus keeping that issue still
in the foreground. The attempt to change the
Issue, like the effort to change the ticket, is
failure, and so the general result on Tuesday
is a foregone conclusion. General Grant is to
be our next President.
What, then, is the prospect from General
Grants election? 1t is good for the country
in reference to both our domestic and foreign
affairs. Our business men are already dis
counting it, and the decline in gold since the
Vermont and Maine elections indicates pre-
vailing confidence in General Grant in our
financial circles. The impression prevails
that he will be a sound conservative Pres-
dent-that under his administration we shall
have peace and progress at home and in
creased respect and influence in the general
family Of nations. II is probable, neverthe-
less, that under his administration we shall
have regular war of the roses in the repub-
lcan camps and reconstruction of parties in
1872; but the immediate result and the great
relieving idea in Grants election is embodied
in his brief but comprehensive platform, s'Let
us have peace"
Secretary Seward on the Political situation-
A Remarkable Speech.
We publish this morning in full the remark
able speech of Mr.. Seward, the Secretary Of
State, delivered yesterday at Auburn. We
say remarkable speech because it is SO from
the general line of the argument and the con-
clusion, or want of a conclusion, at which the
learned expounder arrives in his summing up.
He eulogizes Abraham Lincoln and his policy;
the reconstruction policy of Andrew John
son he necessarily condemns the policy
adopted by Congress and deplores the present
condition of things. AS usual, he is disposed,
however, to look upon the bright side of the
picture and to believe that all has been, all is,
and everything will turn up for the best in the
long run. But it is difficult to understand
what he ia driving at beyond q defence
of Johnsons administration and of Mr..
Stewards adhesion to it through thick
and thin. The democratic party in Tam
many Hall failed to come up to the place
of the political situation in Mr.. Stewards
opinion, yet while this is understood to be
the opinion of Mr.. Johnson we have had
proclamation from the White House in favor
Of Seymour. We cannot positively assume,
then, that this latest Auburn speech of Mr..
Seward means that he intends to vote for
General Grant. All that we can see with any
distinctness is that the Secretary of State
recognizes the fact that he is under a
cloud, and wishes to set himself right
with both parties, in view of his
approaching retirement to private life;
and that he is a statesman and politician,
whose mission ended as political leader with
the abolition Of slavery. We only see that
since that day he has been completely adrift,
and the unquestioning and faithful follower
OF the President. like one who has ceased to
have any viii or any policy of his own, good,
bad or Indifferent. save in his temporizings
with England and France, and excepting his
Alaska and st. Thomas speculations
This Auburn speech gives us few grains of
wheat in bushel OF chat. 1t is exceedingly
clear, and yet somewhat muddy; it is model
Of frankness and a iabored string Of reserva-
tons. 1t suggests more than.it says; it says
more than was necessary, and yet not enough
II prepared upon instructions from the
President not to say anything to hurt
Mr.. Buckalew, nor anything directly in
favor of General Grant, this speech is
a great success; but otherwise it is twaddle,
of no use to either party, useless to the adj
ministration and superHuous as vindication
Of the orator. Lastly, we guess, and it is only
a guess, that Mr.. Seward expects the election
Of Grant, and, as ia everything else, is re-
signed to the dispensation. We have here but
the wreck of politician who has outlived his
day aud generation and does not know it, Let
him pass.
Dur Local Finances.
There is an agreeable fiction that much care
full legislation makes much safety in public
affairs; but the old adage that the bes.
poverped are those who are governed lpast ia