The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-24
Developments of the acknowledgements
Political and Financial.


party. and have both better choice of mate
rails and wider field for operations. The
republicans are acting on the defensive an"
exhibit less energy and enthusiasm IL Is sa'o'
however. that when the campaign ID drawing
to an end and the democrats nave expended
most of their fire the republicans VIII make an
extraordinary effort, that they have more OF
the sinews of war, and that they will raise and
spend vast sums of money to win the election.
But thus far the democrats have most conf
dence. while the republicans evidently are in
doubt and state of trepidatiOn. The earnest
appeals of the radical organs show this to be
the condition of their party. Then the first
struggle of the campaign, which will have b
powerful influence upon the final result is
about to be determined in Maine and Vermont,
and a few weeks afterward in some of the great
Central States, so that the comparative mac
ton or want of enthusiasm OF the republicans
cannot be regarded as feigned or temporary
with a view to making bold strike-a sort Of
c0up de Dl0in-in the end.
The chief orators among the democrats,
particularly those from the West, as Pendleton
and Valandgham, dwell mostly on financial
questions as the main issue of the campaign,
though they do not ignore the negro altogether.
This was seen in the speeches of the former in
Maine and in that Of the latter at Fort Wayne.
The Northern and Eastern speakers rather
shrk the greenback question, being more
l. under the influence of the boudholders and
more interested in getting gold for the five
twenties, aud consequently cJnfne themselves
! chiefly to the negro supremacy policy OF the
radicals AS to the republicans, they are not
united, earnest or explicit on this greenback
| and iive-twenty issue; they rather ignore it,
! but talk good deal in glittering generalities
about the national honor and credit which
may mean nothing or anything. Their stock
in trade for the campaign consists in reviving
the old charges OF apprehension, opposition
to the war aud want OF patriotism against the
! democrats.
The democratic orators and press, as was
said. have the hest materials to work upon,
! but they do not use them well They lack
comprehension Of those subjects which would
be most effective with the people they do not
understand the public pulse; they are more
| intent on making pretty speeches and oratorical
fourshes than on making telling hits. Even
! Mr. Pcndlcton's speeches in Maine were devoid
| of point or force. With the exception of Val
landighams speech hardly one bias been de-
! livered expressing in concise language the
| fearful extravaganza and corruption Of the
radical party. While credit must be- given to
Mr.. Pendleton for his moderate tone and
smooth language. he failed to- make lasting
impression on the great issues oe the time.
His speech was weak, diifuse and pointlcss
even on those financial questions which he
claims ~ his special thunder and OF which he
makes hobby. ~ 10 most OF the rest of the
democratic campaign speakers, ~ well ~ the
democratic newspapers. they cannot raise
themselves above vulgar abuse Of the repub-
lican candidates and stale political twaddle.
The question as 10 whether the ive-twenty
bonds shall be paid 10 legal tenders or gold is
not practically before the country II belongs
to the future. circumstances aud the progress
of events will solve that hereafter This is
not live issue. If the country he restored
! To harmony. the taxes be reduced aud economy
in the government be established, the debt he
put under process of liquidation and the in
! dustrial interests Of all sections be simulated
| by wise legislation. the currency will gradually
and healihiuliy come TO par with gold. and
there will be- no longer any question as to how
the fye-twenties shall be paid The living
issues, then are the abominabe corruption of
the party in power. lis reckless extravaganza
its atrocious negro supremacy policy, It's des-
potic, unconstitutional usurpations and the ne
cessty of an economical and better govern
meut. In these there is matter enough. II
properly handled. to sink the radical party in
the lowest depths OF infamy and beyond the
hope of resurrection. But the facts must he
put tersely and squarely before the people or
they win be smothered up 10y the adrot man
agement of the radicals in confusing the pub
lie mind with past and side issues and political
claptrap. With all these advantages on their
, side the democratic speakers and managers 81
I the campaign have failed up to this time IL
making good use of them. In fact the want o.
, the country now Is able men--statesiuen who
can comprehend the situation Of affairs. BIZ
unfortunately we find only little stump speech
! makers and narrow minded politicians
The Metropolitan Fire Department.
or the metropolitan organizations. perhaps
in the saving of life and property none is Sc
important TO the PEOPLE as the Fire Depart
ment, and yet we find IL presided over 10y
gentleman who cannot pretend that his cxpe
4 r;,,,a warraufc him in assuming active co,
troll of men and apparatus at couaagra
ton, thus virtually ignoring the presence o
its Chief Engineer.
( To be more explicit. Until Wednesday La
!. l,Lial I.si.x E;xss<slssd aed u ..