Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-11-27
THE NEW Panty MOyEmENr.

THE NEW PARTY MOVEMENT.
The name of Manton Marble, editor Of
the New York World, was one of those
mentioned in connection with ihe move
ment for new party, sort Of go-be-
tween, neither Democratic nor Republi-
can, but the World takes decided ground
against the new party. That paper says !;
SIN declaring our belief that the move
ment for new party cannot succeed, we
would not be understood to belittle the
strength and wide diffusion Of the senti-
ment which its projectors aim to organize.
The Republican party is full of dissatis-
faction. 1t is divided in opinion, broken
by feuds, disappointed in Gen. Grant,
and feels that il cannot much lsnger sub
sist on the dry husks of controversies
which, settled In politics, have passed
into history. The dissatisfaction is more
likely to grow than abate, but il does not
furnish promising basis for a new party.
The movement now projected would not
be 80 much new party as a Republican
bolt This bolt is planned on the yerdsnt
expectation that the Democratic
party will join it and make it
majority But Democrats feel
no such dissatisfaction with their party as
leads many Republicans to seek new po-
hticsl connections. The free trade doc
trine which the new party proposes as its
cornerstone has been steadily held by
the Democratic party since Gen. Jack
sons first term. The fact that many Re-
publicans have become proselytes to free
trade is an excellent reason why they
should join the Democratic party by and
by, when they get ready; but no sufl-
Gent reason for new organization. The
mountain did not come to Mahomet when
he commanded, and so the self possessed
prophet thereupon did a very sensible
thing in going to the mountain. The
yearnIng for new party is felt by lead
era and prominent men, but not by the
mass of converted voters Citizens who
do not wish to figure in public life,
who care only for good government, and
take no other part in politics than TO
cast a silent vote, will as readily pass
directly over into the Democratic ranks
as stop at some halfway house to save
their pride. Indeed, they have no pride
in the matter, but merely a sense of duty.
With busting politicians it is different.
They wish to save appearances; to change
sides without seeming to surrender. The
maneuvring for middle ground proceeds
entirely from this class. The reason why
they cannot succeed is, that their more
obscure fellow.converts do not share their
sensitiyeness. A citizen who merely
votes can protect himself, if he chooses,
by the secrecy of the ballot; but active
politicians, who wish to make a figure,
cannot change their party relations with
out publicity. They would rather be re-
garded as leaders of new party than
proselytes or csptives in the ranks of the
opposition. But as Democrats are con-
fident of winning the quiet voters, they
feel no anxiety about the would-be lead
ers. We are of course gratifed TO wit
ness the spread of sound revenue doc
trines. Among the new converts we
expect great heaviest of Democratic |
recruits when little more time has been
allowed for the crop TO take root and
ripen.
Poor Grant sees in this movement the |
snuffing out of his ambitious schemes,
and of course those who have pampered |
him that they may use him, are decidedly /
opposed to the proposed new party. 1t
is quite natural that they should be. A
Washington dispatch of Nov 25, says:
"a good many Senators and members
have been here during the last few days
engaging quarters for the session. An
opportunity has thus been given for an
expression of views on the revenue and
civil service reform movement which |
proves TO be quite unanimous against any
attempt to form new or third party, al
though quite general on the part of Dem
ocrats and Western Republicans in favor
of organizing the next house on the basis
of revenue reform. One Western Repub-
lican member declares that the people of
bis section are united in favor of reduc-
ing the tariff TO a revenue standard,
without aff5rding any incidental prOtec-
ton, and he believes that an attempt will
be made in that direction at the coming
session, without waiting for the next
Congress.
ga Pennsylvania Republican member,
whose opinion has been asked, says that
The administration must resist such a
movement with all its influence, and that
the law cOnvcning the Forty second Con
gress on the 4tk of March must be re-
pealed, or else that State will he hope
lessly lost TO the Republican party. The
coal and iron and manufacturing interests
of the State, he declares, will go to utter
decay if the tariff is further reduced.
1.-THE revenue reform Republicans say
that they will show their strength in the
present House by uniting with the Dem
OCrats-vote 10 prevent the repeal of the
law convening Congress on March L.
While there will be no absolute political
coalition, it is pretty evident, judging
from the general talk of the liberal Re
publicans, that members of the two par
ties will be found voting together in the
coming session, as they voted in the last