The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-11-02
Total Absence Of Enthusiasm
on Either Side.
CORRUPTION in THE COUNTIES.
The Battle Ground Acknowledged
To Be in the Metropolis.
Money To Be Freely Used at the
Polls on Tuesday.


fact that this present contest for the great prize
OF American politics and for minor principles in
this State possesses anomalous features. Never |
have politicians suffered the agonies or suspense |
and apprehension on the eve OF an election as they
suffer now and In the history OF the country
have coming events cast such unsatisfactory |
shadows before. 1t is time Of much perplexity |
and ''book-makersr are sadly at fault No man |
knows for certainty where his neighbor stands, |
and all is doubt. Then let me again revert to the
of this feeling OF uncertainty and this time
atmore length II may, perhaps have the effect OF
moderating the violence OF partsanship and sooth.
ing the savage breasts OF fiery orators on both
sides. My reflections and observations on the
present condition OF the canvass are the result or
careful and protracted survey OF the field On both
sides OF the Erie and Central lines from Broome
county to where the head of the State butts at
Canada between the lakes. must say, at the very
beginning, that figures are useless as indicating
the drift OF matters political. Figures OF compari-
son on this occasion would be of no more use in
assisting one in forming an opinion as to Grants
or Grceley's chances as would table OF votes In
this State in the year Of grace 1912.
THE CAUSE OF PERPLExITY.
Ihave found in many places gentlemen who have
voted the regular republican ticket since the forma-
ton of the party, voted for Grant last time, and
worked with much enthusiasm for the regulars in
all local contests but who, though DESTROYS OF vot-
ing for Grant for second term, for reasons TO
them satisfactory, assert that the alliance between
portion Of the democracy the republican party
has hitherto fought and the Custom House, repre-
sented by Tom Murphy; the adoption into the party
OF known thieves and ballot box suffers, has had
great effect upon them. Time was, they say
when the republican was, in reality, the party Of
'great moral ideas;" but that now, owing to long
lease OF power-proyoking recklessness OF ways
and MEANS as 1t always doesit has fallen from its
high estate. 1t no longer depends for success on
the PRONUNCIATION OF high, broad, humanitarian
views OF public poity, but upon the mean devices
OF low, charactercss politicians. These gentle.
men, though not OF the liberal republican party,
would. think, vote for Greeley in preference to
Grant for the reasons stated. But here comes the
rub II they vote for Greeley they will be expected
to vote for Herman for Governor and the old leayen
OF Know Nothlngism is strong within them still.
Greeley Wilson and Dix Will probably be the ticket
OF these people If they vote at all
Then again, as l have heretofore remarked, a
large number OF the liberal repubcans-those who
have come out openly and squarey and abused the
administration party in the orthodox style-while
heartily in favor OF Greeley for President can't see
their way to voting for Herman. There Is quiet
feeling-strongcr as the eventful day approaches
against having "Catholic GOVERNOR and the
claimed by the administration that large number
OF democrats VIII vote for Grant. think that
boast will be justified. Not from principle, how
ever. Some hundreds will undoubtedly be "Penn-
svvanianzed," as the saying Is, and for the price
OF weeks irolic will vote
GRANT INSTEAD OF GREELEY.
But very few will vote against Herman. Certainly
no Irish democrat will do so. Ii Mr.. Herman in
stead OF beng-as he Is acknowledged to be even
by his opponents-an upright, honorable gentle
man, was villain OF the deepest dye, 1t would
make no difference now. The religious issue is
made and 1t will have to be decided. The Irish,
German and French Catholics WILL to q man,
vote for Herman; and as. | suppose there
are enough OF liberal minded men In the State to
back them up, Mr.. Herman will probably be the
next. Governor. There are some thousands Of
people in the State who viii vote for Herman
merely because in doing they vlndicate in them
selves the principle OF religious liberty, but who
will not vote for Greeley Had the religious ele-
ment not been introduced these men would vote
the straight-out administration ticket. General
DIX will have the strong support or
THE uLTRAPRoTEsTANT COMMUNITY
In the counties through which have passed, be-
Sides OF course, the rank and file OF the republican
party. The General Is curiously regarded In this
part OF the State. There are some who yehemently
insist that Dix, sngle-handed put down the rebel
lion, as TnackerayS highlander won the battle OF
Waterloo; and these are bitterly opposed by Others
who as strenuonsly maintain that he never did
ANYTHING said ANYTHING or deserved anything.
Very few OF the rural lights, opine, have an in
teligent opinion concerning either Of the candi-
dates 1t would be wonderful II they had. The
dunderheads who vociierate nightly on behalf OF
county committees OF both parties lie and calum-
Mate Mate at the rate Of four columns ,0 an
POLITICAL ''EpIzooTYn
Indeed It may be question worth considering
by the medical faculty whether the violent storm
NM
sweeping the State is not the real cause of the
shaky condition OF that intelligent animal, the
, But the one influence which. more than any
other, except perhaps the religious, will carry the
form OF nicely folded roll OF Treasury notes or in
clinky coin, has wonderful effect in doubtful com.
be ready to acknowledge that under the teachings
Of Greeley orators they had seen Grant
ten dollar bill and would profess und iH s see
miration for the Cincinnati platform for the same
money; This seems q severe assertion, but 1t is
made deliberately though mournfully. promin-
ent liberal republican OF this city told me last night
that "the Grant party rs he named the regular
republican, were sure OF success in this county.
And his explanation was that the Grant men had
money in abundance and the liberals were hard
up. WITH $500 he said, he could get In Erie
FOR GREELEY. GRANT OR THE DEVIL
r TN that ne nad Just n rom
election TO the regular republicans. l promised to
withhold his name and do SO. He was the most
practical party man have encountcred-that is,
ne spoke from a business point OF view. Most poll.
tlclans-aye even those who have acquired great
fortunes by audacious robbery OF the public-prate
OF REFORM ana are ever eager to overhaul the
record OF their opponents in search OF ear marks
OIL inconsistency and dishonesty. But this man
canea q spade spade. He spoke with
Ing away money on torchlight professions,
pIacards and the hike The intelligent people OF
the land were In his opinion, DESTROYS OF change
IN the that more intelligent
part OF the people who were In onice-and the only
way to reach the ignorant and the unscrupuous
was by money. Fifty dollars judiciousy Distributed
1T the polls on election day would do more than
81 900 fired away In rockets "Look at the repu.
Iars'r he almost whined. "They arc under
almost military discipline and the worst Of n IA