The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-25

all Presidential contests their State holds the balance
OF power and ultimately decides tho question. This
opinion has been very generally accepted by polt-
ticans OF all parties throughout the coun-
try, and hence the anxiety to know how
Pennsylvania is likely TO go in Presidential
campaign. Just now 1t would be difficult TO
predict how the State will go in the campaign
OF 1872. Both parties are somewhat divided-the
republican party on candidates and the democratic
on principles. The breach between what Is known
as the ''Curtn'' faction and the Cameron" faction
in the republican party is far from being healed,
while the "new departure" recently adopted by the
Democratic Convention which met here threatens
to create half dozen factions within the ranks Of
that party.
On my way here happened TO meet Colonel A..
K. Mcclure, who is very generally regarded as the
author of the ''new departure" platform. 1t was
engineered by Lewis @. Cassidy, democratic poll
tcian of great local influence IN Philadelphia. but
1t is believed by many to have been drawn by
Mcclure. The latter was for many years leading
republican, and, prior to Grants administration,
was one Of the most active men OF his party IL
will be remembered that soon after Grants election,
and before he was inaugurated, Mcclure had an In
terview with him, whereat the Pennsylvania poll
tican was canddly told that his friend Curtin
could not 20 into the Cabinet Ever since Mcclure
mated by President Grant disappointed men,"
In the absence OF Governor Curtin, now United
States Minister at ST. Petersburg, Mcclure Is the
leader OF the "Curln faction" In the state, and 1t
is shrewdly suspected that he has taken hand In
the new departure" movement, with view OF
carrying his faction to the other side, so as to de-
feat Grants reelection and give Pennsylvania to
the democracy. or course, he still claims
10 be q republican, but ne makes no secret OF the
fact that he Is opposed to the reelection OF Grant.
COLONEL A. X. MCCLURE ON THE ''NEw DEPARr-
URE."
"what do you think OF the new departure move
ment ~ inquired.
"Well, sir, there Is more in 1t than some people
are disposed to cOncede. 1t means mischief to the
republicans. especially If they renomnate Grant"
''But the democrats don't seem to be unanimous
about accepting the situauOnf'
There are some democrats In this State, the old
personal friends and followers OF Buchanan, for
instance, who are opposed to all change. They
would never change, don't think 1t necessary and
of course they Will Kick In the traces for short
time, but the men VINO control the party, and the
masses for it, They see that the great questions
that have held the republican party togeLher are
svv,.Uu, LuaL Ilme mas come wnen new issues
must arise. Now, during the war and since, all the
republicans had to do was to go before the people
",
cept the situation; put them In power and they will
upset ali that has been done That was SUFFICIENT
But with the new departure platform before the
people the republicans can't do that. They will
find that 1t won't answer 10 get up the old cry. 1t
won't have the meaning it had before. This move.
ment Is gong to be general all over the country.
The truth is Pennsylvania Is behind In the matter"
WHAT HE THINKS OF GRANT AND CAMERON.
"what do you think Of Grants chances for re.
and reelection"
"wer think he will PROBABLY be renominated;
but hts reelection Is another question"
..Do you think he will carry Pennsylvania"
Doubtful. The truth Is, Grant has very little
hold upon the masses Of the republican party Out
side the Offlce-holders nobody seems to care much
about him. When he comes to Philadelphia,
for instance. there amt dozen leading republicans
ever call upon him. They don't seem to pay any
attention TO him. When he was here the last
time 1 think ne stopped with Tony Drexel, a
democrat, and went around with George w. Childs
another democrat. 50 far the State is concerned
Cameron runs Grant, and you know that's enough
OF itself to damn him. Cameron has strength with
the masses OF the people When he gets INTO con-
vention or the Legislature he can manage to carry
his point; but we all know how he does 1t. Cameron
mas absolute control here now. because Grant has
hands or course he viii carry the delegation from
this State for Grant in the Convention.
SCRAP OF HISTORY.
"The republicans, Colonel, don't seem to have any
other candidate but Grant ~
ITO me that is very significant. I have an idea
that they will nominate him, and then let him be de.
feated. II seems to be the only way to get rid of
him. II Grant Is reelected 1t will only be by the
most objectionable stupidity on the part of the
democrats. l have not been deceived in Grant.
After he was nOmnated-and worked both for his
nomination and electlon-l said 70 number OF our
leading republicans, I'VE must go to work and elect
this man; but tell you in advance there amt q
man Of you will ever reap the fruits OF the victory.
z; 3; washburne was standing by and he said, II
will do the square thing. Now know the man,
and tell you he will never allow simon Cameron
to run him. replied. Politics and the war have
bankrupted me, and I can't AFFORD to take any
place; but predict that Cameron Will run Grant
and and not man VIII t get anything except through
Grant was elected he would call Curtin to the Cabi.
els Curtin coming home. COonelr"
mo, not TINS summer, except they recall him. I
though IN time to take hand IN the next Presiden
tla election
How does he stand in the states'
Gle stands well with the people. Curtin Is really
the representative man OF his party IN the State In
q contest between him ana Cameron before the
people, Cameron would be beaten out OF sight Cur
tin, you know was twice elected Governor right ID
the teeth OF Cameron. He was declared the choice
OF the state for Vice President in 1868, against
Cameron's wishes. and he Is the strongest man IN
the State to-day before the people,"
"What side Will he taxeW
"Ihat am not prepared to state. He Will hardly
play into Cameron's hands, though"
THE REPUBLICAN MISTAKE.
"Some republicans, Colonel, seem to think that
this new departure movement Will demoralize the
democracy and weaken them In the Presidential
'Ihat Is just where the republicans make mis-
take. There may be some growing at first but you
Will find when election day comes around every
man who is now democrat will vote the straight
ticket So they Will not lose any votes.
Now, by accepting the situation, they hold out IN.
ducements Tor men who have hitherto voted with
the republicans. for the reasons have already
stated, aud who are dissatisfied indifferent to the
present administration, to JOIN their ranks. There
Is no telling how many votes they Will get from this
cass.u
now THE DEMOCRATS MIGHT CARRY PHILADELPHIA.
could The democrats carry the city OF Pniladei-
phia, COlone"
.They have the votes to do It II they could only
get them counted, but you see the election
IL IN the hands OF the republican ana
they can count the democratic votes not Just as
they please.p
do you think the republicans will carry the State
this fan ~
~ doubt It. There Is a great deal OF indifference
among the republicans IN Pennsylvania towards