The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-11

be much more agreeable to believe that
Senator Morton is mistaken, but the South
ern Democrats are too outspoken to admit
of any question on the subject It is there
fore useless to say that the next Presidential
election will be conducted without any refer
ence to the war, or the measures growing out
Of it. Republicans would be very glad if it
could be so, but, misled by the Democratic
success in New Hampshire, the Southern
people are showing their hands little too
freely, and il is quite evident that we shall
have to meet them on their own ground. At
the same time, we cannot agree with Senator
Morton in his recent remark that none but
''war issues" are likely to be thought of in
the Presidential canvass. The people at
large expect from us q progressive policy.
To secure what we have already gained is an
important work, but it is not the only work
waiting to be done. There must be greater
wisdom shown in managing the national
finances. Imposts which produce little money
and q great deal of irritation-sHch as the
income tax-must be got rid of, and the
Republicans must show that they are in earn
est in identifying themselves with the
great cause of political reform as against
political corruption. The Democrats will
give them plenty of opportunities. The
Presidential canvass is to be conducted on
their parts with wild disregard of all con-
siderations save the single one of coming off
victorious. 1t would probably be impossible,
and is certainly undesirable, for the Repub-
licans to spend one half as much money on /
the election as the Democrats are prepared
to spend. Our strength will consist in gain
ing the respect and confidence of the people
by waging warfare against the very tactics
which our opponents will rely upon for gain
ing success.
A very large part of the money to be spent
by the Democrats will come from New York.
Arrangements are already made for collect
ing it. The ''Yiaduct bill" signed on Wednes-
day last by the Governor-as we predicted it
would be-will place millions as the disposal
of the Tammany clique. The money which
appears in the bill itself is ''hea-bite" CON-
pared with the amount which it enables Gov
ernor Hoffmans proprietors to raise under
its provisions. Those who are familiar
with the subject estimate the sum
which can be made under this one bill
at so very large a figure that if we
mentioned it the general public would
suspect us of exaggeration. They will find |
out all about it by and by. In the mean
while, they may safely take our word for it |
that the ''Yiaduct bill" is one of the fattest |
and richest jobs ever forced through cor
rupt Legislature by the Tammany crew. |
Now, part of the plunder will undoubtedly |
stick to the fingers of the men who "run the |
machines" but they intend to put something
aside for the Presidential election. New |
York is like gold mine to the ring-people |
are pretty well off, and as a general thing |
they would rather pay any amount of taxes
than make fuss, or put themselves to |
any inconvenience. That is why they have
seen thirty millions added to the city and
county debt this very year without a mur-
mur. ''Mr. Tweed's Legislature" as his
own hired organs have the impudence to
call it, never feathered the nests of its
eta haffa has n,
Tammany, then, will unquestionably have
the longest purse but it is great mistake to |
suppose that the contest can be settled by |
that circumstance alone The Tammauy
chiefs Judge of the whole people by the |
standard of political morality in New York. |
They think that it is simply impossible for
any man to refuse bribe when it Is offered |
to him. Connecticut ought to have taught |
them lesson, but the Democrats, like the |
Bourbons, learn nothing and forget nothing.
We can make tolerably certain of beating |
thom by going before the country |
with wise, liberal, and progressive mea-
sures. No doubt some dscouraging |
circumstances surround us. The party |
is a good deal divided-most parties
are which have held power for a long period |
unchecked. In this State and In some others |
there are feuds going on which exhibit in a
striking manner the mean and ignoble side |
of political life, if that were anything new in |
the world. Experience, however, shows that |
all this sort of cut-and-thrust business counts |
for very little in the presence of really great
crisis. The people will, as usual, be wiser
than those who fancy they lead them. Let |
Southern Democrats go on vaporing in their
present fashion, and Northern ones tie them
selves little faster to the skirts of Tam
many, and the quarrels of local politicians will
be swept away like chaff before the wind. A
tempest in teapot may attract attention in
quiet times, but when the real storm comes
nobody thinks of looking at it,