The New York herald., 1872-10-18


ture.
In less than three weeks from to-day the
people of the United States will be called
upon to perform the most important duty i'm
posed upon them as citizens of republic-tc
make choice of their Chief Magistrate, and by
this act to shape the policy of the national
administration for the next four years. II
would be fortunate thing for the country il
we could rest assured that this duty would be
discharged conscientiously and honestly; that
every man would vote in accordance with his
convictions, and that the honor and welfare OF
to be rendered at the polls But the party
organs have done their best to degrade the
present contest into one of mere personalities,
and passion rather than reason is likely to
control the result At present it appears
almost certain that General Grant will be
last four years, and that the lease of life Of
the republican party will be nominally
extended for another Presidential term, despite
the recent serious secession from its ranks.
The preliminary trials in the States all point
to this consummation; for, Notwithstanding
the fact that the opposition has succeeded in
carrying Indiana and has managed to cut
down the Ohio majority in marked and sig
nifcant manner, its failure in the latter State
and its overwhelming defeat in Pennsylvania
may be considered conclusive evidence of its
inability to overthrow, in the November cleo
tions, the party now in power. The fact ap-
pears to be that the country is not at this time
prepared either for a sudden and violent
change or for an experiment that may lead to
disturbance of the present financial situa-
ton, and hence has made up its mind to sup
port General Grant rather than to turn over
the government to Mr.. Greeley and his singu-
larly constituted band Of supporters.
There has, however, been sufficiently pow
erful and dangerous rebellion against the
existing administration to mark serious dis
affection in the public mind toward the party
in power. The strength Of the opposition has
again rally in threatening manner. Without
any regular organization, with old parties
shattered and scattered, without money or Off
cial patronage, it has forced the administration
to extraordinary efforts in order to prevent it
from becoming an overwhelming success. In
North Carolina, at the opening of the cam
paign, it struck down the usually large repub-
ican majorities and won q substantial victory
for the liberals. In Ohio it seriously impaired
the administration strength in Indiana it
achieved brilliant and decisive triumph in
Georgia it showed a strength that shook the
accepted belief in the position of the Southern
States. All this was accomplished, it
must be remembered in the teeth Of
patronage that is becoming alarmingly in
huential, and of moneyed power probably
unequalled since the initiation of political
contests in this country. While the republi-
cans have had millions of Offices to draw upon
for contributions to defray the expenses Of the
elections, and have thus been in a position to
meet all claims made upon them with liberal
hand, the opposition has been driven to depend
upon the meagre subscriptions of individuals,
and has been sometimes destitute of funds to
cover even the most ordinary expenses of a
campaign Yet in spite of these drawbacks
and disadvantages the struggle in every State,
with one or two hopeless exceptions, has been
vigorously maintained, and the result has
shown the unsettled and dissatisfied condition
of the public mind. Leaving out of sight
the serious allegations of frauds against
the winning party in Pennsylvania,
there is sufficient evidence to satisfy every i'm
partial and dispassionate mind that the State
elections by no means settle the question Of
the Presidency, although they unquestionably
greatly strengthen the chances Of an admins
tration triumph in November
If, as we predict, the republicans should be
successful in the now rapidly approaching
battle, and General Grant should be reelected
for another Presidential term, we shall not
suffer the administration to lose sight of the
lesson taught by the closeness of the present
contest. We shall insist that the voice
of the people, raised SO significantly in this
campaign, demands reorganization Of the
Cabinet, looking to change of policy in ou,
foreign relations and in our financial affairs.
Whether Mr.. Boutwell, may 60 to the United
States Senate or to private life, we shall de.
mand his removal from the position he now
occupies. Whatever may become Of that
highly respectable citizen, Mr. Hamilton Fish,
we shall press for his retirement from his
present SecretaFyship and for the appointment
| Of successor who will impart more digni-
| fed, more American and frmer tone to
our foreign policy. We shall keep a
sharp eye upon Congress, and shall
watch jealously for reversal Of all those laws
| by which the Southern States are now dis
tinguished from the Northern States and sub.
| jected to federal interference, direct or indi.
rect, in their local governments. We shall
call upon General Grant for such a broad,
comprehensive liberal treatment of the South
as will effectually blot out all remembrance
Of the War of the Rebellion, all resentments