The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-25

sagacity, too, to take for their Presidential can
oudate, at the first election after the war closed,
the General who finished the rebellion, though
he had been lifelong democrat The current
OF popular sentiment was setting against them
at that time for the party had become fearfully
corrupt, extravagant, intolerant and unscru-
pulous; and had the democrats in 1868 nomi-
mated Chief Justice Chase, or some other man as
available, there would have been o fair chance
Of electing him even over General Grant AS
1t was the difference in the popular vote of the
two parties was not great The war issue now
is nearly as extinct as that Of slavery. Even
General Grant, the great captain and figure
head of tho war, cannot expect to sail into
power again on that issue. He must stand
upon the merits of his administration and the
merits and strength of the republican party.
Two years ago or less the democrats began
to show renewed vitality and reorganization.
Through that and the corruption and inca
pacity Of the republicans there was some pros
pect of recovering the ground lost in 1860.
They secured q much larger delegation In
Congress, had control Of this great State of
New York, and were gaining in other States
and localities throughout the country. But
the stupendous Tammany frauds turned back
the rising tide with great force and left the re-
publicans in an apparently secure position
again; and now we are within a few months of
the Presidential election, with the democrats
demoralized disorganized, with no popular
issues to arouse the people, and not the least
prospect of electing President of their own
party either through the Electoral College or
by the House of Representatives. While they
are in this hopeless condition serious rent is
made in the republican party. Some of those
most prominent men who created that party,
those who have done most in building it up,
and the most brilliant and ablest of it's leaders,
have left the regular organization and nomi-
mated candidates of their own for President
and Vice President Much as the administra-
ton organs may affect to pooh pooh the Gin
cinnati movement, it u.s. unquestionably, a
serious breach in the republican party. The
mission of that party seems to have been &C
complished. Slavery being abolished, and
the war which that question brought about
being ended, the republican party has no
longer any platform of principles or fixed
policy to stand upon. 1t is now simply
party of spoils and expedients. The defec-
ton of the reformers, therefore, shows its rot
tenness and its approaching fall.
Whether it will cease to be the ruling party
Of the country in 1873, or, through the mis-
takes of its opponents, will drag out precari-
Gus existence till 1877, remains to be seen.
This will depend probably upon the conduct
of the democrats and especially upon the
action of the Baltimore Convention. Unless
the Baltimore Convention endorses the Cincin-
natl nominees, or, at least, refrains from maxi
ing another nomination, General Grant will
be reelected, if not by popular vote, in con-
sequence of there being three candidates, GER
tainly by the House Of Representatives. Many
Of the boiling republicans might go back to the
regular organization, and even the Cincinnati
ticket might be withdrawn. Greeley and
Brown would hardly remain in the field if the
Baltimore Convention puts regular democratic
candidates on the course. The Cincinnati
movement was intended, no doubt, as an invk
ton to the democrats to unite for the purpose
of defeating General Grant. That is under
stood. Should they decline the invitation,
both parties will lose and the disintegration
and conflict Of all parties will go on for four
years more.
What are the democrats to gain in the future
by refusing to support the Cincinnati NOM
inees? They would, as we have said give the
election to General Grant and continue the
power of the regular republican party. Those
democrats consequently who oppose this COM
bination are really the friends and supporters
of General Grant and his party. The
speech of Mr.. Voorhees, in the House
of Representatives lately was about the
best campaign document that could
have been furnished the republicans, and
they will, no doubt, use it as such. It has
given rise to the suspicion, whether well
founded or not that he and some other old
line democrats have gone over secretly to the
administration party. There seems to be an
impression on the minds of such men that the
democrats would have better chance of sue
cess in the future if they make no alliance with
the liberal republicans These are the same
old Bourbons who never learn ANYTHING by
the logic of events, that have kept the demo-
cratic party in hopeless minority. Every
thing moves so fast in this age that there may
be- four years hence, new and important issues
and complete change in the relative position
of parties. There may be new combinations,
and the democratic party, as it exists to-
day, may be left where it has been for the last
twelve years. By combining with the liberal
republicans its great weight and influence must
be recognized should the Cincinnati nominees
be elected. It would have the best prospect
of gaining much larger representation in
Congress, of recovering many of the State gov
ernments, of controlling in great measure
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