Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-08
palp Argus.
The Presidential Election in ASIA
-Ehe Chance for the Demo-
Gratis.

otna |
Two or three years ago the democrats
were in a hopeless condition, apparently
That once powerful party has gone down 80
far, though the Anti.war policy and other
blunders of many of its leaders, that 1t
amounted to little more than q faction.
The South. where a great deal Of its strength
used to lie, was not reconstructed and was
in the grip Of the radicals. 1t was expect
cd, indeed, by the radical party that the
South had been revolutionized politically,
aud that through the negro vote and carpet
bag governments il was lost to the demo
cracy. Nearly all the Northern State gov
ernments were in the hands of the radicals.
In both houses Of Congress they had over a
Iwo-thirds vote. The democratic Senators
could be counted on ones fingers, and the
democratic Representatives were but q cor
pcrSl's guard. The late President johnson
had no party, and al the power of the gov.
eminent was welded by the republican
Congress. General Grant, the great hero of
war, came into Office with eclat. The eoun.
try was rapidly recovering from the disasters
Of the war, the revenue was enormous and
the Treasury Feplete with money, which
enabled the administrator 10 pay of the
debt at the rate Of a hundred millions a
year. Never was a party stronger. Never
had one such an opportunity or means OF
perpetuatlng its power.
This was the condition of parties 10 1865
and for some time sfterwArds. Whatever
chance the democrats might have had for
%eiecting q candidate in 1868, or, at least, OF
recovering a large part OF their lost ground,
they threw away. Had Mr.. VAllsndigham
and other old copperhesd leaders msde q
new departure NJ that time and nominated
Chief Justice Chase, rs We advised them,
they might have elected their .candidate-Rt
least, they would have gained much strength
and have been in q better position for the
contest in 1872. But the party was not
sufficiently reconstructed then the rival
aspirAnts for the Presidency, factions and
sections would not harmonic; and, under
this state OF things, the National
Convention and party were sold 70
the New York politicians, who cared more
about their State than the federal govern
meut. Seymour was nominated by a trick
by g sort of coup detat IN the Convention
with little ex pectstion that he could be
elected over General Grant, but for the
purpose OF making the State of New York
Democratic. National politics were made
subservient to the selfish objects Of IA NINA
ny and the Democracy of this State. Our
New York politicians were successful in
that, and it must be said they have used
their success to a good purpose. With all
that may be SAID against them they have
given us back municipal seli>goverumeBt,
and have made TAmmsny and our State q
greater power in national political affairs.
Having attained their object they should
now use the power they possess for national
purposes, and 10 make the success Of the
Democrats in the next Presidential election
their aim.
Notwithstanding the powerful position the
radical party occupied, intrenched and fcrti
fed every way, and the depressed condition
of the Democratic party TWO or three years
ago, the latter has been gaining ground and
the former losing. We see this in the largely
increased sumber Of Democrats ia the pres.
ent Congress IS compared with the last.
Besides the larger representation in the
House there are more Democratic Senators
Then several of the Northern State govern
ments, as well IS that of New York, have
been recovered by the Democrats, and even
where the radicals still retain power she
elections lately have generally been more
favorable TO the Democrats. In fsct. the
tide has been setting that way since a short
time after General Grant took bis sest in the
White House. Most OF the Southern States
have gone back TO their old love, tho Demo
cratic party, in spite OF the extraordinary
aud repreheusible efforts made By the rAdi-
Gals TO hold them. And Dow comes the
new moyement-th the new departure Of the
lamented NsllsndiQham-the reconstruction
Of the party upon a broader and more liberal
platform. This, evidently. is making the
dry bones OF the politicians shake. It briug-
into discussion fresh issues, and tends to
overshsdow those Of the war upon which they
still msinly rely. IL alarms the radical party
and inspires the Democrats with hope.
In view of these tendencies and the pros
poet before the democrats the important
matter TO be considered is Who should be the
candidates of the party, Caief Justice Chase
would be, undoubtedly, The st1ongess ana
most svailAble candidate for President Oh
broad national grounds, which the party
could Nominate. he stands precisely where
the democrats HoS stand, as ans Ea..andIg-
ham letter and his whole conduct Of late
show. In 1868, when tbs democratic Con
veutton was urged to nomlnste hID, there
WAS q doubt in tue minds Of some as 70 he
full accord with the party, but there can be
none uoS. be occupies The most prominent
position in the country except that Of The
President. He Is 8 Statesman Of great abiI
ity, as IS well known. He hes filled almost
every position in public life, and, except the
Executive chair, the highest ones. The con
seryatIve masses, particularly those of the
South, would vote for him, because be has
been since the war the most earnest defend
er Of The constitution against the dangerous
and rapid encrOachmeBts OF federal power.
Numbers Of the negroes, it is to be pre-
sumed, would cast their ballots for the man
who did more, perhaps, than any other, to
give them freedom. Nor can we doubt that
many Of the republicans would support him
on the new departure platform of the de
mocracY. Many, in fact, who are tired Of
military e1pedients and experiments in the
White House would vote for this eminent
civilian and tried statesman as q most desir-
able change.
Then, for those who are still infatuated
with military glory OF hero-Worship, that
distinguished and splendid military chief,
General Hancock, could be pm, on the
ticket for Vice President. And, being a
native and citizen Of Pennsylvania, his
nomination might give that doubtful State
TO the democracy. He is known TO be q
solid and answering democrat, has a
brilliant var record, and has shown that he
IS ever ready to defend the constitutional
rights of the people. Chase and Hancock
would be, in every point of view, q strong
ticket, and with that the democrats
could 20 before the public with a fair
prospect Of carrying the election. We
take broad, national ground in considering
this question, surprising the issue may turn
spou the national reputation or popularity of
the candidates. General Grant, who will be,
no doubt, the radical candidate, stands not
upon his local inHuence-for he has none
but upon his national reputation. Chase and
Hancock could complete with him on that
ground. Should it be seen, however, that the
election Is to turn upon any particular state
that ono of the largest StAtas Ia 10 be the