The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-05
A THIRD PARTY-NoNsENsE

No NbBhII 6NCI CuttIeu tD6 OThlu Oh mAO
more futile and preposterous than the idea
of forming third part in a country where
the entire ground is occupied by two oppos-
ing organizations The term itself is a
misnomer. Discomfort and disaffection may
become so general in party ns to menace
its integrity and presage disintegration to
ruinous extent. And this is the present con-
dition of the Republicans. The official head
of the organization has not that informing
and controlling mind without which disci-
plino, harmony, and effective cooperation
are impossible. The party is not wanting in
able and enlightened statesmen; but they
have no universal recognition as leaders, and
hence are comparatively without influence in
shaping its policy. And then they are
divided upon some of the most important
questions of the day.
Many Republicans in the Northwest differ
with some Republicans of New England aud
Pennsylvania on the tariff, the finances and
cograte topics, including the method aud
time of extinguishiDg the public Indictment.
The interest of the producer is believed to DO
in conflict with the interest Of the consumer.
Iowa and Illinois have little sympathy with
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. and the
bonds of material interest are stron ger than
any ties growing out of political affiuity.
These things will have their effect in en-
feebling and demoralizing the Republi-
can organization-to what extent, it
is now impossible to estimate or
predict with much confidence. STINT
lar causes are also at work, though
to less extent, to weaken the Democracy
But the notion that third party can be con-
siructed of dimensions sufficient to accom-
plish anything sffirmatively is the greatest
falacy imaginable. Such thing is simply
impossible. One might as well expect to see
the deserters from two hostile armies consti-
tute force strong enough to overcome them
both, or man standing on a railway with
stand two locomotives approaching each other
under a full head of steam. No intrigues or
management of any kind ever achieved any
thing in the way of such organization. The
experiment has frequently been tried, and al
ways with similar result.
The two most noticeable instances we're in
the cases of John Tyler and Andrew John
son. Millard Fillmore attempted to avail
himself of the Know-N Nothing folly, but he
had nothing to do with organizing the party.
Tyler supposed it practicable to re-elect him.
self by forming a third party, the basis of
which should be the patronage and power of
the Federal Government The failure of the
scheme was utter and ridiculous, covering
everybody concerned in it with universal de-
rision. Jobnsons exhibition OF himself was
more pitiable still.
Parties spring up spontaneously when new
issues are presented, or new questions arise.
A party may be divided and temporarily pros
trated, as was the case with the Democracy in
1913, by the introduction of an element so
potent as to override discipline and break
down the lines of demarcation. But it is
difficult to conceive a condition of things
wherein the malcontents could muster in
force enough to make headway against sub
sisting organizations. And there is nothing
anomalous or unusual in the present condi-
ton of parties in this country. For nearly
ten years past Republican supremacy has
been SO absolute and resistless that the Demo-
Gratis have not been ableto oppose force suffi-
cient to operate as O wholesome check upon
the action of the Government or political
movements. The Republicans have been too
strong for their own welfare. There has not
been external pressure enough upon them to
compel discipline or circumspection in the
administration. The adversary was feeble in
numberg, and distracted by intestine divi-
sions.
And now we see the inevitable conse.
quences of these untoward circumstances in
a broken and demoralized organization. And
these embarrassments are increased and eX.
asperated by the imbecility of Grant, his
prostitution of the patronage of the Govern.
ment to promote his own selfish schemes and
to reward unworthy favorites. The best mer
of his party are so dlsaffected and disguised
that his denomination two years hence is
quite out of the question.
The power of President with a strong
supporting party measurably satisfied with
the course of his administration, is ire.
sistible in the early part of dis term; but il
becomes feeble and dwindles away to nothing
as the years roll round and the means o.
rewarding partisan service become exhausted
| Six successive Presidents, ending with Mr.
| Buchanan, vainly tried to compass renomi
nation by the free use of Executive favors
| They were all men of large civil experience
familiar with the popular wants and expecta
tions, and not inexpert in political manage
ment; and yet every one of them failed igno.
minously in the work he had set himself t.
| perform. Is Grant--s raw, crude man o
defective culture, untutored in the ways o.
politicians, with no policy, no experience, NJ
power of appreciation, imperfect knowledg
of men, selfish and egotistical, caring NOR
| to give fat offices to his family. than to pro
mote the welfare of his party-is he likely t.
| win a game in which such men as we hav
named were baffled and overthrown?