The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-22

EditSrial Opinions Of the Lendina Journals
Upon Current TOpics-OOmpiled EVERY
Day for tho Evening Telegraph.
THE MEANING OF THE DEMOCRATIC
STRIFE.

.
The present struggle in the Democratic
party has a meaning which will not appear to
a casual observer. We see two factions
eagerly warning upon each other sacrificing
the triumphs of party and their principles to
personal spite and ACKNOWLEDGMENT The
Manhattan Club and the Sixth ward have
formed an alliance, at the head Of which we
see Samuel j. Tilden and Mike Norton, sup
ported by sensation opera bouffe newspaper
and a subsidized organ of the roughs and
thieves of this city. Thus far they have done
nothing except to prevent the party from
carrying out It's pledges. The end of the
intrigue, as it now seems, will be to destroy
the Democracy as an organization, continue
Republican ascendancy for twenty years. and
secHre the reelection of General Grant in
1872.
This proposition may seem to be rather
sweeping. But let us consider it. At the
Last election the Democratic party, mar
shalled by the Tammany chiefs, carried New
York against the tremendous popularity OF
General Grant. The soldiers reputation
swept over the country and overthrow every
element of Democratic strength Far off in
California there was little successful oppo-
sition from local irritation eccasoned by the
Chinese immigration. In Kentucky and
Maryland and Delaware there was a kind of
feudal Middle Ages devotion to slavery
survived the war, something like the
whipping pott and pillory and lottery
wheel, which in those States even yet resist
the march of reason and religion. Here in
New York we had liberal, progressive Demo-
cratic organization, recognizing the lessons
of the war and willing to bring itself in line
with inevitable events. Upon war issues 1T
made battle and won it. In the submerging
food which covered the country with radical
To- N for
q Democratic dove to rest its feet, the De-
mocracy of New York remained intact, lumi-
nous, organized, and triumphant. To New
York the country looked for deliverance, and
to its Democracy the beginning of the reac-
ton, which would enable it to elect General
Hancock, or Judge Chase, or some acceptable
leader, in 1872.
On the contrary, what do we see? The tri-
umphant army is dissolving into a mob.
What is its earliest duty? Certainly those
municipal reforms which even Republicans
believe to be necessary for the good govern
ment OF the city of New York. We have
charter which is thing of shreds and patches
rag after rag sewed on to the original until
nothing remains but an ungainly and insult
able garment. Plainly the first duty of this
triumphant party, pledged as it is to the am
plest measure of reform, and committed over
and over again to the destruction of the ex-
1StlnB cOHlAlSSlonS, is W give uS u cuarter
which shall be the enactment of the peoples
will into law, the establishment upon sub
stantial basis of the true Democratic prin-
oiple. There can be no easier, no more neces-
sary work. The party is pledged to 1.-THE
Democratic party of the country looks for it
with anxious eyes, Upon its success will
depend the general triumph of the Democracy
in the Presidential campaign.
harmonious Democracy quietly proceed
~ Il -.E.- e Il l.
the energy and vigilance of its legislation,
that moderation which is the strength and
beauty of victory, would have produced upon
the country profound impression. 1t would
have been as a beacon set upon hill she'd
ding its light far and near. Its example
would have stimulated the enthusiasm of
followers, added new recruits, and organized
successful campaign for 1872. All this is
sacrificed to petty and disgraceful struggle
for spoils, and to-day the Republican mana
gers virtually dictate the policy of the Demo-
with the radical politicians, control the
legislation of the State. They are
cheered on to their work by couple
of newspapers, which profess to be Demo
cratic, but are really Republican in disguise
Under the pretext of reforming the party
they are paralyzing it. great part of the
session has passed and nothing is done-no
thing Is heard but the quarrelS OF SWeeny
and Norton, Tweed and Genet. What doe
the country care for these mentor thei
griefs their ambitions, their aspirations, thei
sorrowsP Is there anything in Mr.. Nortor
and Mr.. Genet that the Democracy of the
country shall prefer them to Mr.. Sweeny o
Mr.. Tweed, or, at least, SO strenuously tina
all good works and every wise measure o.
legislation must be arrested? Are their am
bitions and quarrels so sacred that the Demo
cratic party must be destroyed at their whim
Here the quarrel is, and it can have bu
one result. General Grant Wal be the mex
Republican candidate for the Presidency AM
walk the track as easily as Lincoln did il
1860, when the Democratic party was rent b
the ambition of Douglas and breckenridge
If the party cannot hold together in NeV
York, where its power has stood every assault
and triumphed in the darkest hours, wher
can it stand, of what use is it, and why nc
say its usefulness is oyer-cut it down O
something that cumbereth the ground? Thi
will be the answer of the country to the VI
seemly quarrels that now disgrace the Demt
cratic councils at Albany. The wisdom m
patience and moderation of General Gran
especially his financial policy, will strengthe
the Republican party. The folly of the d
mocraoy will make him representative rad
cal candidate, and the radicals will profit
the weakness and unholy ambition no
shown at Albany, to sweep the country Wi
Grant, and re-elect him by even larger m
iority than that he received in 1868.