New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-23
OLD AND YOUNG STAGERs.

ternal quarrel there. 1t seems that the youth
fnl. and therefore the least sophisticated re-
tanners of the sO-called Democratic" party
are inexpressibly disgusted with the way in
which "The Old Stagers" of the organization
have managed matters for the last twenty
years. Accordingly, it is proposed to dethrone
"The Old Stagers" from the altitude of tho
box seat and to put tie ribbons into the hands
Of more athletic Jehus, so that the insides may
at least be driven somewhere, instead OF
"round and round and round" We confess to
q feeling of cOmmiseration for the poor passen-
gers but we think that they would show better
sense by getting out of the vehicle altogether.
A Democratic sold Stager" is phenomenon
which, after many years of observation, we
hatter ourselves that we pretty fully compre-
bend. Mainly, he may be described as one
who is fully satisfied with being an "Old
"Stager,r and who fancies that he does his
whole duty to his country when lie calls him.
self and insists upon being called "a Demo-
"crat.n He goes to Convention and passes
string of resolutions, in which he declares that
he by no means approves of matters and Things
in general During the continuance OF the
Rebellion, his rule was to discredlt the Union
victories and smile over the Union DEFEATS
There is absolutely nothing in the present
constitution of public affairs which is likely TO
be essentially changed, and nothing which,
from the inception to the settlement he did
not resolntely denounce. But the occupa-
ton of "The Old Stager" is gone Now
that they no longer need him, he has lost the
gentle affection of the Southern wing OF the
party, and has even incurred its hatred by not
doing during the Civil War what 1t was aoso-
solutely impossible for him to do. All that
"Tbe Old Stagern can now accomplish IS TO
keep continually growing and heaying signs
over a Constitution which he VOWS has been
violated. This, with constant use OF TIE name
of Thomas Jefferson. is his chief business as
politician and as for any permanent hold upon
place and power, why, experience has already
taught him that it is something which ne must
not hone for. Being in the seventh state OF
longevity, with none to succeed HIM, we may
safely affirm that "The Old Stager" will soon
become as scarce as the dOdO, the griffin, or
any other extinct or fabulous creature.
But, after devoting TO the subject considera-
ble Thought. we must admit, while we feel
reasonable degree of admiration for " The
"Young Stagersr that we do not understand
what they intend to do or how they intend to
do it.. One hates to see the noble energies OF
youth wasted upon impOsslbilites, and its
brilliant opportunities lost in the pursuit of
phantoms What do 1.-THE Young Staeers' OF
Wisconsin wantR Not, surely, the restoration
of Slavery. Not the Reputation of the Ma
tional Debt. Not the withdrawal OF the Right
of Suffrage from those to whom, in the new
order Of things, it has been granted. what
then? We hope that nobody will think that
we do not appreciate activity, that we do not
admire enthusiasm, that we do not sufficiently
approve that rare combination of the virtues,
public and private which goes to make up a
Young Democratic Stager But tins Is piae-
teal world; and, unless a party Mt least prom
Uses to do something, it must be content, we
fancy, to remain from year to year IN chronic
minority. "The Young Stagers" have before
them the frightful example of 1.-THE Old
Stagers." They see well enough. we sup
nose, the appalling insgnilcance at which these
politicians have arrived for want of princi-
ple. Unless they can better supply themselves.
this is the SAVIOR to which even the Youngest
Stager must come at last. Parties are consti-
tuted for the purpose of promoting some den
mite policy, and not merely to swear at and
otherwise abuse each other. Now the Demo
cratic party, whether considered rs senlle or
juvenile, has no such policy; for it 10y no means
indicates policy simply to pass resolutions
about Thomas jefferson, or even Gen. jackson.
Mere opposition without proposition amounts
TO nothing, and only keeps up purposeIess
and injurious controversy. lt would nave Deen
ditferent if, during the war, the Democrats
had heartily co0perated with the Unlonlsts'
instead of opposing them. The Republic
can party bore the brunt of the terrible strug-
gle, and, now that the physical contest Is con-
Guided. it is forced to take up and carry
through whatever legislation is necessary to
make pacfcation complete. Substantially, there
is no more ground for difference between citi-
zen and citizen now than there was during the
very tempest of the battle; but it can hardly
be nossibe that the Young Democracy OF WIS
consin, or of any other State, desire to renew
their energies for the poor purpose OF oDstruc-
ton Most of the Reconstruction measures
demonstrate their own necessity, ana there
will he no footsteps backward. If 1.-THE Young
" stocersr desire full liberation from the
"body of this DEATH" they must come, with
such grace as they may be able to MUSTER
into the Republican ranks. Otherwise, they
will continue to be not so much party us
faction. In nine elections out OF ten, they VIII
be beaten, and in the tenth they Will achieve
only an accidental and temporary success;
while it is not only possible but extremely
probable that they viii find "The Old Stagers"
too much for them, should they continue to
retain the much-abused name of democrat
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There is nothing in tho ms-educatlon OF