The union Democrat., 1871-11-04
The Democracy and the Presidency.

Our suggestion of passive policy on the
part of the Democracy in the Presidential
contest of 1872 has had and is having the eff
feet we intended it has provoked an earnest
and interesting discussion of the subject in
all its bearings by the opposition to President
Grants administration. This discussion will
90 to the bottom of our political condition ;
it will reveal the whole truth about that con-
ditioa as disclosed from point of view above
the present and whatever the result of this
calm and dispassionate review may be, it can
not but be salutary.
AT TIE VERY THRESHOLD OF THE DISCUSSION
Stands the fact that President Grant is dis
turbing element in the Republican party,
and that large and influential element in
that party who will certainly either vote for
him as against a Democratic nominee, or not
vote ct all, would welcome an opportunity to
oppose and defeat him if they could do SO
without placing their lifelong opponents in
power. As between Grant and a Democratic
nominee, they would reluctantly support
Grant as between Grant and any other pos
sible Republican candidate they would gladly
SUI oport the latter. This malcontent, anti
Grant element Of Republcanism is no insir-
u6cant power it is represented by Senators
Shurz Of Missouri. Sumner and Wilson Of
Massachusetts. Fenton Of New York. West OF
Louisiana. Horace Greedy. Cassius NJ.
CLAW Governor Gearv of Pennsylvania. Cox
and Moves Of Ohio. Trumbull and Logan OF
Illinois. the Chicago Tribune the Cincinnati
Commercial. the New York Tribune and the
New York EreaiRg Post In Massachusetts.
New York and Ohio it emhoiies the better
part of the Republican party in Missouri.
and indeed the whole West, it embraces the
Germans and the Liberals who supported
Brown in 1870 and if it does not include
the better part Of the Republican party in
Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas, it en-
braces even there portion which. in point
Of numbers, at least is not to be despised.
THE POWERFUL ELEMENT,
DISCONTINUED with the maintained proscrip-
ton of the Republican party, alarmed at its
progress towards Capitalization. and dissatis-
fed with the personal uSurpatiohs of the
President. has not been able thus far. to as
sert its independence 1t is held in thraldom
bv power which gives it the narrow choice
of supporting Grant or going over to the De-
mocracy and while an honest Democratic
partisan would easily solve the difficulty for
them by telling them TO east their fortunes
with the Democracy. II should be remember
ed that an honest Republican may not find
it so easy to accept such a solution Party
allegiance is powerful sentiment in this
country and while independent and eonsci-
entions men are ever ready to oppose the pol
lev Of their own party. they do not readily
espouse the policy Of IT'S opponent.
A passive attitude by the Democracy in
the next Presidential campaign would give
liberal Republicans the freedom which they
cannot secure for themselves. They could
assert their own policy, proclaim their own
platform and nominate their own candidate
without any violetion of their party obliga-
tons and appealing to the people for sun
port they would have an immense moral adj
vantage over the Administration party, whose
adverse appeal would he necessarily limited
to the Presidents parisans.
TIE PROFIT AND LOSS.
1t is true, this passive attitude would in
volve sacrifice on the nart of the Democ-
raey which they might find il hard to make.
Democrats have a right to say that, it their
principles are worth any thing. they are
worth struggling for, even in the face Of de-
feat /; and to withdraw. as q party. from a
great national contest, might argue lack of
devotion to their PRINCIPLES and willingness
to see their party dishaud. But in answer
to this may be adiuced the universal eonsie-
ton among Democrats that our constitutional
polltv cannot survive reelection of Grant
and the four years of increased Capitalization
thas would follow. 1t is the Democratic or
position and the fear of possible Democratic
triumph that cause the Administration party
to resolve that the Democratic party shall not
lnJn II Ia