The New York herald., 1869-09-03
Third Party Agitations.

II seems to be based upon the nomination OF
Chief Justice Chase to the Presidency, and all
sorts of dove-tailing processes are given, show
ing how certain democrats with easy con-
sciences can be made to coalesce with certain
radicals with no consciences at all, all culmi-
mating in the grand climax of Chase's nomina-
ton and triumphant election. 1t is even broadly
limited that Father Chase has winked at these
doings; that in Maryland and Virginia, and
in other parts of the South, he has given his
consent and encouragement to these opera
tions but when all things seem to be working
smoothly in favor Of this third party Chase
programme, 10! and behold, the learned Chief
Justice writes letter to q friend in st. Louis,
in which he says:-'I am out of all future
political contests, and no one need be jealous
Of me hereafter" Here, then, unless the
Judge is coming the ''pity-me, Harvey" dodge,
which was so successfully practsed by Sey-
mour in obtaining the democratic nomination,
Chase may be counted out of the ring alto
gether, and thus one third party phantom dis
solves into thin air. And then another third
party is proposed in the Southwest, to be COM
posed of democrats and conservative republi-
cans but here the republican doctrine of con-
solidation comes in contact with the democratic
doctrine of State rights, and in the conflict an
other nice little third party scheme is knocked
in the head. There is also third party tenn
perance movement, organized in New England;
but while it seems to be in hopeful condition
in the State of Maine, with its Good Templar
lodges as recent auxiliaries, it is we'll nigh
detection of large portion of the republican
vote. There is likewise third party labor
movement pretty well established in the East
and West; in Massachusetts, it is said to have
q secret organization numbering fifty thou
sand voters. Still another third party notion
has just been aired in South Carolina,
which is described as a cry to the demo-
Gratis Of that State to reorganize as conserva-
tive republican party, 80 that ''the virtue Of
Carolina may be introduced into the republi-
can ranks and fright away with the dignity of
purity its elements of weakness and vice."
All of which sounds very pretty, but it is oil
empty jingle. The South Carolina democrats
are as likely to affiliate with the imps of dark
ness as they are with those other dark-minded
imps. the Northern republican party, the after
birth of the vicious and hated abolition party
of old tines Therefore that third party plan
may be considered as blown to the winds.
Last, but not least, grand national tenn
perance Sanhedrim is now being held in
Chicago, in which Gerrit Smith figures con-
spicuously, and in which another third party
movement upon large and comprehensive
scale, with ''Prohibition" as its corner stone
and cap stone, is contemplated-a movement
supported by Gerrit Smith and other great
temperance lights, but opposed by others
equally influential. Therefore even this third
party movement, strongly supported as it is,
meets with opposition in the house Of its kin
dred, and will probably collapse. 1t is and will
continue to be so with every attempt to start
a new party so long as the political situation
remains as it is at the present moment. Such
and agitations at this time are
perfectly absurd-the silliest chimeras Of vain
and addle-brained political tyros. They will
remain such so long as General Grant holds
the destinies of the country in his hands.
His discretion has won for the General the
position of the foremost man in the country.
His popularity has been tested during his
lately extended tour among the people, who
have everywhere received him with testimo-
malls of respect and confidence. He gains
strength every day, and has become so far
committed to q policy Of peace and modera-
ton that it is difficult to arouse any formidable
feeling of opposition to himself or to his
administration.
The unterrifed democratic party is the
only party possessing any degree of vitality
that can bs arrayed at this time, and probably
for the next seven or eight years, against
General Grant and his platform Of common
sense. But even the democracy are in a
muddle. They are fighting among them
selves, the prize being the Craftsmanship of the
National Executive Committee-one faction
| claiming 1t for the German democratic element
in the person Of August Belmont who has
nine points of the law in his favor, being
| already in possession, and the other for the
Irish democratic element in the person Of
| William M. Tweed, who represents the Irish
masses comprising the bulk Of the sturdy and
steady democracy Of the country, and espe-
cially of the city of New York. Tammany
Hall wields the sceptre over all the demo
cratic hosts, and its power is becoming more
and more puissant every day. II viii
soon become as potential as the power Of th'
Albany Regency was in Its palmicst days
This, from all the signs Of the times just now
is the only party General Grant will have Il
oppose his unobstructed walk over the Presi
Dental course in 1872, and all third part
agitations intended to impede his progress ar
the sheerest folly and nonsense, and all Presi
Dental aspirants in opposition to him shoul