The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-05
Opening of the Presidential Campaign In
Nexx uamnsI.ira md Cannec dent.

Impressed with the Importance or the electlons
in New Hampshire and Connecticut and con-
sequently are making extraordinary exertlons
for the event In a few weeks these elections
will be held, and, looking at the programme
and work of each of the political parties, it
| will undoubtedly be the most exciting contest
of the kind in the history of those States. The
canvass of voters is most thorough, great deal
OF money has been and will be spent, little
army of speakers from the halls of Congress,
other States and these States themselves will
penetrate every nook and corner where there
are voters. The granite hills Of New Hamp-
shire and the mountains and valleys of Con-
necticut will resound with the slogan Of the
radical chiefs and the war cry Of the conserva-
tives Tue whole country will feel the excite
ment and watch with the deepest interest the
progress OF the political campaign.
And why is this! Why will numbers of Sem
ators and members of Congress leave their seats
at the Capitol to stump these States! Why do
orators pour in from other States to interfere
with the local elections of these two small
New England States? Why is there SO much
excitement and why are such extraordi-
binary efforts made? The answer is plain.
Presidency. 1t will be the first show Of
strength or weakness of the two great parties,
and, in a measure, of the factions of each party.
II will indicate to great extent the current Of
popular sentiment, and will be guide post
to show the politicians which road to travel
IN wi nj ha fha 6rr,t hot
of in November, seven months after. but it
viii be an important encounter, showing IN
mistakably the relative forces Of the contest
ants and their future prospects. Then the
prestige of success on one hanl and Of failure
on the other will have great influence in
determining the final result. There are
great number OF neutrals, OF people that be-
long to no party or that are Indifferent about
parties, that 60 with the side which promises
victory. Besides, there are numbers of
others, also, political rats, that inva-
r.ably abandon sinking ship and
hang on to the one that will carry
them safely to Office or popular favor. Again,
these coming elections in " Hampshire and
Connecticut will have great deal to do with
disposing Of the different Presidential can
didates and their factions, and with pointing
out to .he national nominating conventions,
which will meet shortly after, VINO will be the
safest men to run Tor the White House and
who should be abandoned.
1t may be seen, them from this explanation
of the motive, object and character OF the.
contest now commencing in New Hampshire
and Connecticut that the struggle must be
desperate, and that the people, from Maine to
the Gulf OF Mexico and from the Atlantic to
the progress OF the campaign. The people of
these two small New England States never
occupied more prominent position. The
future OF the republic may depend in great
measure upon their action; for, as we have sad
before, it will exercise great influence over
the policy OF par les and the public mind
generally.
There will be in the speeches, campaign
pamphlets and general elsctioneerng ma
chnery good deal OF fraud and misTepresen
talon. The main Issue will be avoided, and
all sorts OF side issues will be introduced TO
confuse and humbug the voters. That Is the
case more or less in all elections, for Il is the
stock IN trade OF politicians: Dut we shall see
more Of it, probably, in ID Sc elections than
ever before As Ia as the politicians are coa-
cerned, the stake at issue j. tie control Of tn.
government and the i've or SIX hundred mil
lions OF spoils, aud 10. m rely w1o shall
n
Hampshire and Connecticut With The leaders
add Presidential aSpir4nts il Is am ,ilioD Dai
win the mas n liz people i i good o. b
gov rnment, the preservation 81 tue eOasiit0.
ton or insidlous revolution. Under Ties cir
cumstances il becomes The duty OF the ig1e-
penien: press to present 1he real issue and "
warn the honest vo.ers against the misrepre-
sent tons and subterfuges Of politicians
Let Us see, then, what IS the true AMI great
issue 10 be decided In the Presidential cam
pagn, which, as has been said, Is now open
ing in two OF the New England States. II i
whether the glorious republican government
which WIS handed down 10 US by the fathers,
and which has made US mighty, prosperous
and happy people, shall be subverted by the
rad cal revolutionary party now 10 power or
be preserved by the reputation OF that party
| al the polls 1t Is whether military dictator
ship-the assumption OF despotic power by one
branch OF the government and virtual abolition
| of anothcr-and The creation Of a negro barba-
ran balance Of political poNH in the republic
| are TO take the place Of constitutional law and
| those wise checks aud balances between the
different departments which the constitution
| established, or whether the best government
ever devised is to be perpetuated. Our radI-
cal Congress is fast destroying the constitution
and the government, both in theory and prac-
tice, Tor no other object than to perpetuate
| power in the hands Of the radical party.
| The Jacoblns OF the French Revolution
we're not more reckless or ambitious All