The New York herald., 1871-12-11

| General Grant, under the existing cond-
tions of the political parties and leading ques-
| tions of the day, is evidently master of the
field for the Presidential succession. From
the April contest in Connecticut down to the
overwhelming November defeat Of the demo-
Gratis in New York, the State elections of the
passing year are accepted on all sides as
broadly foreshadowing the reelection of Gen.
eral Grant. In 1867 the State elections were
so generally carried by the democratic party
that they were confident of carrying the
White House in 1868. How, then, with all
their defeats in the State elections of 1871,
including New York, can they hope to gain
the Presidency in 1872? AS matters now
stand they give it up. They admit that the
democratic party is in minority in the couu-
try, and they are casting about for new
party coalition with the disafected republi-
cans, whereby the balance of power may be
drawn off from the administration camp.
The plan of operations most extensively
advocated by the democratic journals of the
country is what is called the passive, or the
''possum" policy-the policy of merging the
| democracy, rank and file, in liberal anti
Grant republican movement, and upon an
anti-Grant republican ticket. But as famous
cook book, in its instructions how to cook
rabbit, says you must first catch your rabbit,
| so the sorely perplexed democracy, before
they can effect this proposed coalition against
General Grant, must first secure their anti
Grant repuS.icans. How, then, are they to be
secured and brought TO the front? Mr.. George
| Wilkes proposes the plan of series of
private consultations and confidential oys-
| ter suppers at Washington between the
| anti-Grant republicans and democrats of
Congress as the readiest method of
coming to an understanding. General
Blair favors the Missouri plan of allowing the
anti-Grant republicans to lead off as new
party on the Carl Schurz platform, aud then
fusion Of the democracy with this new party
for this fight only-and all the Bars second
the motion. Mr.. Voorhees,, of Indiana, pro-
poses National Democratic Convention right
of for the reorganization of the party, so as to
make an opening for all the loose materials of
the country and we are inclined to think that
his plan Of putting the horse before the cart is
better than General Blar's plan of putting the
cart before the horse.
Through some one Of the many plans pro-
posed the general idea Of the democrats is
fusion with the republican elements of all
sorts whose first desire is the defeat Of Gen
eral Grant, and the Carl Schurz platform is
generally recommended for the holy alliance.
But what is this platform? 1t is economy,
retrenchment, revenue reform, civil service
reform and general amnesty. All these are
very good things for buncombe; but, unfor-
tunately for Mr.. Schurz, all this political
thunder has been appropriated by General
Grant in his late Message. 1t is unfortunate,
too, that free trade will not serve as bait for
your anti-Grant republicans, because some of
the chief apostles, among them such as Sum-
ner, Fenton and Gr eeley, are opposed to free
trade. And yet again, the project of the an
nexation OF Mexico. Ia Texas, though it
would be very popular movement, would
not suit those anti Grant republicans who
bolted on the St. Domingo scheme. In a
word, upon the current political topics of the
day General Grant in his Message SO CON-
pletely covers the ground that he leaves
nothing for his adversaries to stand upon.
This Presidential contest, then, under the
present conditions of the inside and outside
forces, will be mere fight for the spoils; and
how such fight will terminate it needs no
Daniel to tell US. What the opposition forces
want is some new idea, some new departure
on the fundamental principles of the govern
ment which will rally powerful party to
point blank fight with the administration.
The impeachment movement, as reported by one
of our Washington correspondents in last Satur-
days HERALD, furnishes the elements required
for this new departure. In this movement it
is proposed to arraign the President before
Congress as guilty of 'thigh crimes and misde-
meanors, in various usurpations of the powers
of Congress, and in various unlawful and
unseemly acts of Intervention in the affairs of
both Dominica and Hayti, and the prosecution
of his ST. Domingo scheme of annexation.
Our correspondent on this subject seems to
think it probable that if impeachment resolu-
tions are introduced in the House covering
these charges they may, with junction of
the anti Grant republicans and democrats, be
passed aud if they are passed, though
the impeachment may fail in the Senate,
as 1t failed in the case of Andy John
son, there will be, from the general ag-
tation of the subject, such Generalization Of
the republican party in reference to General
Grant that it will clear the field for his defeat.
These usurpations Of power, including his
Ku Klux policy, thus brought into the tore
ground against General Grant, might be made
as decisive against his reelection as was the
agitation Of the alien and sedition laws
against the reelection Of the elder Adams.
In 1888, from the fantastic tricks of the
French republic Of that day, though no de-