Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-01-25
The Republican Party.

The New York Herald says that if the Dem
ocrats be progressive and national, and will
adopt policy suited to the present and look
ing to the future, they may secure the Presi-
dental successor and long lease of power
Looking" it says, 'at the division in the
dominant party on vital questions of public
policy, at its violated promises and shortcom-
ings at its reckless extravaganza, at its want of
defined principles In the management Of public
affairs, and at its indifference with regard to
supporting the administration it has chosen,
we are naturally led to inquire what prospect
there is for perpetuating its power, and what
chance there may be for tie opposition party.
There was positive issue on the slavery ques-
tion-the one, in fact, which brought the re-
publicans into power-as there was, too, in the
prosecution of the war; but neither exists any
longer. The Republicans, however, have used
the slavery agitation and the war for political
capital long after the questions were settled and
until they are worn out. The people are tired
OF them, and look for other questions or is
sues that bear upon the present and future
La this respect the dominant party does not
meet the wants and expectations of the coun-
try; for, as was said it has no positive policy,
no platform Of principles, and no unity or CO.
hesiveness beyond that which the spoils Of Of
fee give. Who, then, is to govern this great
country? What party can take the place of
the one in power? Are we to drift along in
this negative way without principles and states
men. Or shall we have a party With defined
policy, that will represent the sentiment of the
country and the living issues of the day?
The Democrats have good prospect before
them, if they know how to use their opportu-
nity-if they will leave the dead past and take
new departure in accordance with established
facts and the spirit of the times They may
elect the next President, though General Grant
may be again the candidate of the Republicans
Even his popularity and glorious war record
would hardly overweight the failures Of his ad-
minstration, the shortcomings of the Republi-
can party and the desire of the people for a
change The great State of New York has ia
ken the lead already in political revolution ia
vorabe to the Democrats. In the last election
for members of Congress they gained consid-
erably, and in many local elections they have
shown signs of returning life Although the
Radicals have made extraordinary efforts to es-
tahlish their power in the Southern States they
have evidently overreached themselves, and
there is little doubt that these States will be
Democratic. A large Tart of the negroes will
go with the white people on political questions,
for they will see that their interests are identi-
cal, and 1t requires no prophet to tell us what
party the Southerners will affiliate with. Judg-
ing from all the signs Of the times the Demo-
Gratis have good chance for the Presidential
succession three years hence. But they will
lose that, if they adhere to their old, exploded
dogmas and attempt to undo what has been ac-
complished by and in consequence of the war.
Our Northern Democrats must accept the plat
form and policy Of the Southerners, with all
the concessions to the negroes and the amend
ments to the Constitution. They cannot go
back and succeed, for the mass of the people
are opposed to a counter revolution. However
much opposed before to some of the changes
that have been made, they accept them now and
want peace Let the Democrats then, drop
the dead past let them be progressive and
broadly national; and let them adopt policy
suited to the present and looking to the future,
and they may secure the Presidential succession
and long lease of mower -