The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-04

QuenceS Wnl0n would nave Deon ln0vltaOlo nH0
Yellow Jack arrived here when the thermome-
ter was in the nineties.
Opening Of the Political Canvs.s--rhe Usual
Compliments Of tho Sens"n-
The political canvass for the fall election is
now fairly opened. The diminishing parties
are thrown out on both sides, and brisk out
post firing has commenced. We are sorry
that better spirit does not prevail among
the leaders and the party organs. We should
like to see little more courtesy and decorum
exhibited in the method Of conducting the
campaign than the course adopted, which is
so offensive to public TASTE OF assailing the
character Of the candidates with the most 0p-
probrious terms Of abuse.
Why cannot an election be conducted upon
the merits Of the political issues at stake,
without scattering mud upon the private lives
Of the candidates? No such tactics are prac-
tised In other countries. Men meet upon the
'shustings' in opposition on public questions,
but they meet and part like gentlemen. In
this respect we have not improved since the
time when Dickens csricatured our political
leaders, our election scenes and our news
papers twenty-five years ago. The first bugle
note of an election seems sufficient, now
as then, to Danish all sense of decency from
the party press, and substitute therefor per-
sonal rancor Of the bittcrest kind, expressed
in language Of which any newspaper pretend
ing to responsibility should be ashamed.
Cannot the politicians fight with measures.
and leave the private character of the men
who represent them out of the argument?
What, for instance, is the propriety of attack
ing General WOodford because he happens to
opine-though we know nothing about him
that man could not attain the various posi-
tons he has occupied unless he were entitled
to some regard in the community. To be-
spatter him or any other candidate with con-
tinual abuse is one of the vulgar evils which
the excitement Of an election gives rise to;
but it is an evil practice to which the growing
dignity and responsibility of the country
should oppose barrier. Half a century ago
political canvasses were conducted in the
it may have been; but there was some
chivalry about it for all that. When q
man made personal attack upon political
opponent he assumed personal responsibility.
We cannot see that our present method is an
Improvement upon that Of the early days Of
the, republic On the contrary, our political
leaders do things In a meaner spirit now.
Surely it is not essential to party success that
candidates should go to the polls despatched
with the vilest abuse, as with filth from the
gutter.
In this regard the present campaign in the
city and State has opened disgracefully. 1t is
not surprising, perhaps, to see some OF the
party journals, in their eagerness to show a
newly awakened devotion to The principles of
the party, exhibit all the blind zeal which is
peculiar to converts; for there are none so
conspicuous for bigotry nor SO violent in de-
| nuncation as those who have suddenly
| changed their faith. i. is not 20 rcconcilable
| to good sense and good taste, however, to see
| a respectable journal lapsing into "A course so
widely at variance with The spirit OF its
| founder.
| We hope TO sec some improvement. as the
canvass proceeds, i'll the tone Of the party
papers and stump speakers. Let them stick
to the ssues-such as they are, and they are
not much either to discuss or scold about-and
| let personal abuse, disgraceful slang and the
language Of the slnms stand aside in this cam
| paign. 1t will be more to the credit of all
! parties and will certainly impart more dignity
| to the results Of the election. We suppose it
| may be conceded now that the power of Tam
many will prevail throughout the State gene
rally. There is less need, therefore, that the
advocates of that party should descend to
yituperation in dealing with their opponents.
| We hope to discover no more of this style OF
conducting political canvass. II is no credit
to any of the parties concerned We ought to
have learned better after nearly century $
! experience and the example Of other countries
than to reduce our civilization to SO low a
| level. s'@s','--'..i - I,
| We call now upon the leaders OF the recon-
structed democracy, Peter B. Sweeny and
| Samuel J. Tilden, TO draw off the dogs and
to see that, on their side at least, the campaign
| is conducted in a dignifed manner.
l ---------.------
~--s--- = The Rs.eslsaits j. Asa 7;,-,,2.
| Fifty thousand to fifty IS the reforted vote