The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-23
SPIRIT or THE PRzss.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topios-compiied Every
Dayfor the Evening Telegraph.
THE PROPOSED NEW PARTY.

Il
From the NJ Y. World
In declaring our belief that the movement
for ne y party cannot succeed, we would not
be understood to belittle the strength aud
wide diffusion of the sentiment which Its pro-
iectors aim to organize The Republican
party is full Of dissatisfaction. 1t is DIVIDED
in opinion, broken by feuds, disappointed in
General Grant, and feels that it cannot much
longer subsist on the dry husks of controver-
sizes which, settled in politics, have passed
into history. The dissatisfaction is more
likely to grow than abate; but il does not fur
nish promising basis for a new party
The proposed movement has this singu-
larity-that the voters would all be drawn
from one of the existing political parties aud
the principles from the other. But the pro-
per basis of a new political organization
would seem to be some opinion which neither
of the other parties holds or to which neither
of them attaches Importance; and the men,
bership would naturally consist of seceders
from both. The movement now projected
would not be so much a new party as a
Republican bolt This bolt is planned on
the verdant expectation that the Demo
cratic party will join 1t aud make it
majority. But Democrats feel no such
dissatisfaction with their party as leads
many Republicans to seek new political
connections. The free trade doctrine which
the new party proposes as its corner-stone
has been steadily held by the Democratic
party since General Jackson's first term. The
fact that many Republicans 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 suffi-
eient reason for new organization. The
mountain did not come to Mahomet whom he
commanded, and SO the self-possessed prophet
thereupon did very sensible thing in going
to the mountain.
L..
such a fiutter in the Republican papers for
the last ten days, is, in one respect, note
worthy and instructive. 1t has been dinned
into everybody's ears, for a long time, that
the Democratic party has no principles suited
to the present condition of the country.
Well in the midst of this sing-song a new
party comes to the birth, although it has not
yet strength enough to bring forth. TAis
new party, proceeding from the loins of the
old Republican organization, aims to be the
party of the future; to deal with none but
living issues. But 10 and behold, it borrows
all its principles from the Democrats From
whence it appears that the Democratic party
is so rich in pertinent, timely issues that it
can furnish first-rate outfit to young and
aspiring organization yet in embryo, which is
not even hardened into the gristle of infancy,
much less into the bones of manhood. Surely,
Democratic principles have not fallen into
dotage and decrepitude, when the newest
born, unborn, or aspiring to be born politi-
cal come-outers can find nothing fresher or
more full of promise than plants dug out of
the Democratic nursery. The stir which this
new movement is making will convince many
people that the principles of the Democratic
party not so antiquated and obsolete as
the Republican journals are fond of repre-
sentipg.
The yearnipg for a new party is felt by
leaders 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 silent vote, will
as readily pass directly over into the Demo
cratic 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 bustliDg politicians it is different.
They wish to save appearances; to change
sides without seeming to surrender. The
maneuvring for middle ground
proceeds enthely from this class.
is, that their more obscure fsllow-converts do
not share their sensitiveness. A citizen who
merely votes can protect himself, if he
chooses, by the secrecy of the ballot: but
active politicians, who wish to make figure,
cannot change their party relations without
publicity. They would rather be regarded as
leaders of new party than proselytes or cap
Democrats are confident of winning the quiet
voters, they feel no anxiety about the would
be leaders.
There is one glittering prize which dance,
like an ignis tdtuus before the eyes of few
aspiring politicians, whom We warn not to be
lured by it into deceitful hopes. 1t wa;
thought by many Democrats, in 1868, that il
would be capital stroke of policy to run
Chief Justice Chase as Presidential eandi
date. The reasons by which such tactics were
unsuccessfully recommended then, will hav,
no pertinence in 1872. In 1868 there wsr,
widespread doubts whether the Democratic
party would accept the results of tn;
war. Those doubts were felt to b,
the chief obstacle to its success
was accordingly thought by some Demo
Gratis, whose Judgment was even then de
cisively ovsrruled, that the nomination o
Judge Chase would most effeetually remov,
that distrust, and smooth the way to Demo
cratic triumph. We shall encounter no sucl
misgivipgs in 1872. No Democrat will thinl
of going outside of the party for Presidsn
tial candidate. Acquiescence in emancipation
and negro voting will be by that time univer
sal. No extraordinary means will be though
requisite for allaying groundlsss fears. 8
we advise nobody to waste effort in gettin
up a new party under the misleading dslu
sion that it may furnish Democratic sand
date for the Presidency, who will max
things pleasant for his earliest supporters.
We are of course gratiisd to witness tn
spread of sound revenue doctrines. Anon
the new converts We expect great harv es
of Democratic recruits when a little MOI
time has been allowed for the crop to tax
root and ripen.