The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-27
Political Movements and Indications
OF tho Day.

OF tho Day.
While there are certain established princi-
pies at the bottom of all great political move
ments, changes are continually taking place In
the current of events to modify the actual
situation and prospects of parties. As the
mercury in the barometer indicates atmos-
pheric changes from time to time, while the
world and seasons move on in the general
way according to fixed laws of nature, so
popular sentiment varies with the develop
ments and exigencies Of the day and passing
events. This was never more apparent than at
the present time. Public opinion fuctuates
almost as much as the face of the sky changes
There is restlessness and feeling of uncer-
tainty arising from dissatisfaction with the
actual state of things and desire of change on
one hand, and from o conservative instinct on
the other. There are no great party and
no leading representative men that fully
meet the wants of the people and
country. We appear to have entered upon o
transition period in our political life without
any competent leaders to carry US through.
The great parties which have governed the
country seem to have fulfilled their mission,
and are left without living issues. Their plat
forms at best are but negative or are based
upon the dead past. By the great parties of
the country we mean the democratic and reg
ular republican or administration parties. No
others can be considered as having national in
fuence; for should the revolving republicans
who nominated Greeley and Gratz Brown
have any chance of success it must be only
through the support of the democrats. OF
themselves they are the mere fragment of
party, and cannot rise to the dignity Of pow
erful national organization.
The regular republican leaders and press
may assail the Cincinnati boilers as disap-
pointed and ambitious politicians, as reckless
disorganizers, and SO forth-and no doubt
many of them have been influenced by no
higher considerations-but number Of the
leaders in that movement as well as
large body Of citizens who 60
with them, do not deserve such
an accusation. They are actuated by q diff
ferent and better motive. Whether they are
right or wrong is another question. They
honestly believe they are right They were
convinced that the party with which they
had affiliated had become corrupt and needed
purgng; that the administration failed in
bringing the country back to harmony and
the supremacy of civil rights and law; that one
term in the Presidency is a wholesome rule,
and that change is necessary to promote the
interests Of the republic. 1t was the opinion
of many, undoubtedly, that the old organiza-
ton had finished its work, and that q new
departure was in order The movement OF
first did not promise much, but there was
such combination Of able men from all parts
of the country at Cincinnati that 1t assumed
more formidable character than had been
anticipated. The harmony Of the Convention,
the views and policy enunciated and the
prompt manner in which the work was CON-
pleted rather surprised the public, and
awakened the anxiety Of politicians A de-
cided impression was made at first. Though
some were disappointed at the nomination of
Greeley by the Convention and lapsed into
feeling Of Indifference or disgust, the an
nouncement of the nominees was received
generally with favor. Though there were no
stirring popular elements in Mr.. Greeley, peo-
pie were rather pleased as well as amused by |
his quaint peculiarities, and, remembering his
liberal views of late with regard to the South
and his earnest denunciations of the cor
ruptions and failings Of the administration
party, he was hailed as o reformer and as hold
ing out hope Of better state Of things. A
great number Of the men Of the press were
disposed to support him because he was q
journalist. Numbers in the South were favor
able because he advocated universal amnesty. |
friends, and those who were disappointed with
the administration and certain class of pro-
tectionists, signifed their approval of his nom-
ination. Such were the earliest impulse and
phase of this new political movement at Gin
cinnati
The first act of the drama, farce, tragedy, or
whatever people are disposed to regard it, ac-
cording to their predictions, has been closed,
and we have entered upon the second. There
was not much enthusiasm with the great
audience Of the public at the beginning-hardly
more than little earnest attention to what
was going on because of the novelty. With
the opening of the second act that even has
subsidized. The prominent performers fail to
awaken enthusiasm. The novelty is passing
away and the public begin to discuss seriously
the merits Of the work and the gentlemen on
the stage. Loud murmurs of disapprobation
are heard already, particularly among some of
the prominent leaders Of the great party the
support of which is necessary for the success
of the Cincinnati candidates. housekeeping,
drinking copiously of spring water and nothing
else the old white hat or other peculiarities Of
Mr. Greeley will not arouse any electioneering
Juror. There is nothing either solid or anus
ing enough in these They do not come up to