The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-18

nation OF these two journals wonld have slept.
The families Of the men might have suffered
the destruction which the labor Of their hea 1s
had been necessary to avert; the men them
selves might have benefited the community by
penitent contemplation OF the chinks Of
whitewashed wall for several months instead
OF being turned out, with smarting backs, TO
earn their livings-the sm ,rtinq backs serving
ss memorandum that It would not do to
steal them; and all would have been serene.
Suffering aud waste are nothing If only our
sentimentalism is saved. Yet the Philadel-
phisn paper had nothing to say against the
Rallows, much more venerable implement
than the whipping-post, when Twitohell was
driven by fear of it into the exhibition of that
ineffable poltroonery which has lately soauds-
lized and nauseated a nation. In disregard OF
such tender sensibilities, people in general
will continue to think 1t right that murder
should be punished by death, and not a very
horrible wrong that the larceny of ham should
be expiated by thirty lashes. 1t is possible
that, as in Solomon's time, the rod should
visit the FOOLS back, nAmby-pamby to the
contrary Notwithstanding.
PROSPECTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
From the NJ Y. World.
Time enough has elapsed since the Presi-
Dental election, and events have made a
sufficient march, to justify taking observa-
tious with a view to determine the latitude
and longitude Of the ship which has been
moving or drifting on the never quiet sea of
republican politics. Is the Democratic party
sinking into an eclipse, or is it emerging
into brightness, by the events of the last few
monthsP
The first thing that challenges attention, in
an inquiry of this kind, is the organization
and working of the new administration at
Washington. The Republican party has
stsked its future fortunes on the SUCCESS of
President Grant. II his administration should
be strong, judicious, and popular, the Demo-
cratic party could make but little headway
during the next four years. It's opponents,
being at present in majority, would probably
be able to hold their own if the policy and the
measures of the new administration were of
nature to command public confidence, and
were supported by a shrewd and ng-sighted
use Hof the Federal patronsge-slwsys
formidable influence IN our politics if
welded by President of steady, cohe-
rent views and trained political sagacity.
But General Grant has, thus far, been
of greater service to his opponents than
to his partisans. In the first place, he has
shown that he has no policy on the ques-
tions that must form the chief topics of po-
litical debate for the ensuing four years.
He appointed for Secretary of the Treasury,
first, Mr.. Stewart, pronounced and vigOr-
GUS free-trader; and then, Mr.. Boutwell,, a
lie
For Secretary of State, he appointed, first,
Mr.. Washburne, headlong, aggressive
radical; and then, Mr.. Fish, perhaps the
most cautious, moderate, and conservative
statesman OF any real ability in the Repub-
lcan party. OF the other members of the
Cabinet it would be difficult to say what their
opinions are, or whether they have any, on
the questions which are looming into promi-
nence. Certain it is, that the Cabinet has
not been composed with view to
combine great weight of personal iniu-
enee in favor OF any definite policy
on any subject requiring the future
action of the Government. General Grant has
bestowed the other offices in such way as to
shake and undermine the confidence of his
own party. His errors and shortcomings have
been widely blamed by the newspapers of his
own party. There is a general confession
that his administration has started badly and
feebly, and that there is little likelihood that
this novice and his Cabinet of nobodies
will be educated into sagacity and vigor by the
purposeless houndering which marks their
dealing with public questions. Even in the
affairs of the department which is presided over
by the only statesman in the Cabinet, we wit
ness nothing of the consistency, strength, de-
termination which proceed from coherent and
settled views. Who knows, for example what
the administration means or intends respect
ing Cuba? The inclinations of the President
Of State another; and with regard to the ex-
petitions fitting out to aid the insurgents
the Government wRvers between secret con-
nivance and open repression. Respecting the
Alabama claims the Government does not yet
know its own mind, and Mr.. Motley is to be
sent abroad without any instructions that
touch the core of the subject-a messenger
without definite errand. The Treasury De-
partment changed its mind every day last week
as to the use 1t will make of the bonds it is
purchasing against the judgment of the whole
business community. The administration
drifts; it founders; it gropes; it knows not
what it would be at on any important subject.
| OF course, the party which placed such an
imbecie and purposeless administration in
power is put to shame and weakened by the
exposures it is making of its incompetence.
Pre-, ident Grant and his Cabinet are plough
ing the ground deep for a great Democratic
| harvest.
But is the Democratic party growing in
| public confidence, and gaining the strength
nt eded to enable ii to take advantage OF the
blupdering imbecility OF its adversaries The
Democratic party must be judged, like the
Republican party, by the vigor, sagacity, sue
cess, and credit of the officers it has elected
to conspicuous stations. In the Federal Gov
eminent we have no power, and consequently
no responsibility. Oar chief triumph in the
late election was in the State of New York,
where, although we lost the Legislature, we
elected the Governor. The GOVernorship OF
New York is the most important and respon-
sible Office at present in the hands of the De-
m )cracy; and so far as the party can be said to
have any official representative and leader,
that position must be conceded to Governor
Hoffman. So far as the party staked its credit
and reputation on him, it has no reason