The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-11

I Too Democracy .ss tLo presidency 81. Tbs
F., sSrs.cs",,us vOnsrc~so"ai Vsucus ana
tho Prospect.
We are informed from Washington that on
Tuesday evening next on the call Of Mr..
Fernando Wood. there will be meeting In
the hall of the House Of Representatives OF
the democratic members of both Chambers, to
consider the political situation in reference to
| the line of action of the democratic party in
the coming Presidential contest, but that an
address from the caucus to the people is not
contemplated. What, then, is contemplated
by this caucus? We suppose that the demo-
Gratis of Congress intend to meet together
to compare notes on the present condi-
ton and prevailing views of the party,
North, South, East and West, on the
Missouri passive or ''possum policy" on the
question of a new democratic departure
embracing all the great issues settled by the
war, and on the question of an early national
convention for the purpose Of relieving the
party of all the dead issues of the war, and Of
placing it distinctly in the foreground on the
living issues of 1872.
The Missouri policy Of sinking the demo-
cratic party in this approaching contest, in
fusion with the anti-G republican party,
though still agitated In Missouri and there
abouts, is generally repudiated by the old
liners throughout the country as a cowardly
surrender to the enemy in advance of the
battle. The prevailing Views of the party
upon this subject are no doubt those expressed
by Mr. Pendleton, of Ohio, in recent philo-
sophical letter on the subject to democratic
committee of Wooster, Ohio, inviting him to
their celebration Of the 9th of January, the
anniversary Of General JaoAss6p--victory at
New Orleans, of 1915, upon which the demo-
cratic party under Jackson came into power.
In this letter Mr., Pendston says of the unter.
riaed democracy:-'If l understand their feel
ings they will neither disband their organiza-
tions nor fee the field before the contest COM
mences. Either course they believe would
give undisputed sway to the present admins.
tratioD, which could then give undivided at
tention to deserters from it's ranks. An adj
vancing army, with the enemy dispersed or in
fight, never loses divisions or regiments, or
even companies, and is generally able to
pick off or pick up treacherous or thoughtless
straeglers."
This Is doubtless the general democratic
view Of the Missouri policy-the policy of
sinking the democratic party in boiling
republican faction. MIR. Pendleton insists
that the cart shall follow the horse. He
says eff there be, as is claimed, many
members of the republican party who disap-
prove the ideas which dominate the admins
tration of President Grant, and are prepared to
oppose his reelection they should declare
their purposes, organize their party, develop
and manifest their strength, and, if may
predict the future, they will have no just cause,
even the most sensitive and timid among them,
for refusing to cooperate with the democratic
party" In other words, Mr.. Pendleton holds
that these anti-Grant republicans must come
out, show their hands and show whether they
can or cannot control the balance of power
the two parties, before the democrats
can enter into any negotia tons with them for
a Presidential coalition.
Now, from all that we can understand Of
their movements, the anti-Grant republicans
intend. first, to defeat General Grant, If they
can, in the regular party convention, and, fail
Ing in this, they have had their eyes fixed
upon Vice President Colfax as an Independent
anti-Grant republican candidate. But Mr.
Colfax, who for some time was supposed to be
q consenting party to these anti Grant tactics,
has recently, with becoming modesty, indi-
Gated bis readiness to run again for Vice Presi-
dent with General Grant; and this, perhaps,
will be the regular republican arrangement.
What, then, will the malcontent republicans
dor Will they form third party, or fall into
line, or join the democracy, or retire from the
field? We shall have definite answer to this
question with the denomination of General
Grant by the regular republican convention,
which will probably be held early in May. The
democrats, in the expectation Of bolt, will
doubtless await the action of the republican
convention before they hold their own for the
nomination of their Presidential ticket. This
point of action appears to be generally under
stood as the fixed purpose of the democrats.
As the offensive party in the coming contest,
they want to know the defensive position OF
the administration and the development Of its
weak points before they form their direct line
of attack.
Meantime, however, while the adminstra-
ton party Is an organized and disciplined
army, with its recognized general-in- chief and
subordinate officers regularly established
through all its divisions, the democratic party
is in the condition of an army demoralized and
disorganized, without any recognized genera
leaders, and without any systematic plan o.