New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-05-25

A Party without Issue.


There is q movement among the Germans in
the city of New York, we are informed, for the
object of forming a new party. or, more cor
rectly, a national German combination, ire
spective and independent Of the existing parties.
BY such action they expect to gain greater in
fuence on American politics, and 10 become q
power outside Of the Republican and Demo
cratic parties. They denounce the corruption OF
the parties now in the field and proclaim their
intention TO make their support OF candidates
for public Office. entirely and exclusively de
pendent on the undoubted honesty and incor
ruptibility of the aspiraats, instead of applying
. political test. Thus far we have always
counted the Germans umoug our most valuable
and reliable allies; it is largely TO their il.
fuence, to their vote, in the Western States that
we are indebted for many overwhelming vic
tories, and consequently We shonld deeply re
gret the movement should it spread. Although
We do not apprehend any lasting hurtful con
sequences, there is no doubt that it ght work
some mischief in the next elections. 1t is ONE
Of those perpicious mistakes which belong in
the category ofpolitical heresies that sometimes
will seize thoroughly honest and we'll meaning
people, and blind them for awhile, until a
crushing defeat destroys their illusions.
In the FIRST place, we fail to see why the Ger
mans should organize as German party, uncon-
nected with our American parties, and yet in
relation to American politics. Are their inter
ests not identical with our own? Do they no
suffer or prosper from the same causes on which
our fortunes are depending? They are not
laborng under any legal or political disability,
not defrauded of their rights, and enjoy all the
blessings Of republican liberty. 1t is true some
pretend that the Germans are wilfuly slghted
in the distribution of Government Offices, and
bitterly complain of nativism but We do no,
see that there is good ground for the accusation.
and are rather inclined to sscribs it osthe resent
ment of disappointed oficeseekers, a class OF
people for whom we cannot feel much sympathy.
Germans have been appointed ministers resi-
dent, consuls, collectors, and postmasters {;
while on the ether side, as i. we'll known, many
prominent and active German Republicans
wisely prefer the independence derived from
permanent, lucrative professional pursuits, to
the precarious honor of positions which are not
expected TO outlast the term Of one Admins.
tration.
Another question is: What new important
issues are there to make the organization Of a
new party necessary, and one. in particular, that
is going 10 act as a separate nation What vital
issue is there that lie not represented in the
Republican partys Thus far We have heard de-
nunciations of the existing parties without learn.
ing on what principle the new party is to form,
except honesty" the only plank on which it
seems to stand. What is this L" honesty" how
ever, but variation on the wellknown time
Of "civil reform" the wa.chworl with which
the enemies Of the President covered their ami
mostly and helped 10 deliver the State Of Mis-
souri, to the Democrats! The dishonesty and
corruption OF the Democratis, and particularly
of the Republican party, is alleged to have
grown to such gigantic dimensions as TO des-
pair of them altogether Now, for the Democ-
racy, We fully assent, and have too often ex-
pressed our opinion Of it to add another word !;
yettbe case Is different when the accusation in the
same breath is flung in the face Of the Republi-
cans. Ii is true that the Republican party il
just now sharing the fate Of all parties while in
power. II has become mixed up with impure
elements but this is an inevitable evil. As
long as party is in a small minority, and con-
sequentiy does not WELD any patronage. none
but men OF earnest convictions will join it,
whose devotion to the cause it represents is
stronger than their love Of power and influence
On the moment Of its accession to power how
ever, its ranks will necessarily be increased by
the legions OF adventures and INSCRIPTIONS
men, whose only principle consists in going
with the ruling party for the sake of the spoils.
This is SO through the whole world. and we do
not see how it should be otherwise. None the
less its objects and purposes are wise and
noble; the means by which it accomplshes
them are honorable; the best men of the nation
are among its leaders, and, since its organiza-
ton, thanks TO its elasticity, it has taken hold
of every new issue urged by the course of
events. With such party in power, and
another in the field, which, though corrupt to
the marrow, yet controls large numbers, it
would not appear that third party could hope
for success
Let US admit, however, the possibility Of
momentary victory; let us suppose that sufh.
cient number of men-Republcans and Demo
crsts-blinded by the watchword of honesty"
and the sympathetic feeling Of common ma.
tionality, should unite under a common banner,
would q combination of such heterogeneous
elements agree any length of time Certainly
not 1t is true the Irish stand firmly united
but they 60 invariably with the Democratic
party; while the Germans, just because they
are more intelligent aad educated, represent
all shades OF opinions. or. as a witty German
himself used TO say, "Where there are two
Germans together. they are certain to have
three different opinions" The intellectual, the
men Of science and culture, have thus far all
gone with the Republicans, and the represents
tives Of the grocers and liquor sellers interests
a. we'll as those whose only principle is money
making. are naturally in their element on the
Democratic side. As matter Of course, these
differences would continue to work, and the
fr't occasion would bring them out. VIVA. 10
the world have conscientious and warm Re-
publicsps-ss, for instance, General SIoEL or
Mr.. SczuEI-ip common with Mr.. OFTEN.
DoRFER, of the Stats Zeiung, or Mr.. MAoSus
GRoss3 How could they ever support them
as candidates! We never have heard anything
vet against the honesty Of those gentlemen as