The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-18
The Lull I'm Politics and Outlook OF
tho FIXTURE.

OF the party he represents in securing an over
whelming majority in the Forty-third Con-
| gress, there has followed lull in party poll
tics amounting almost to apathy. The recent
State and Congressional elections in New
Hampshire and the local elections in this State
were scarcely an exception to this apparent
general indifference, though there was an evil
dent reaction against the dominant and admin
istration party The vote was not full one
and there was that absence of political inten-
sity which characterized the Presidential cleo
ton and other elections last year. True, the
opposition, which now includes the disaffected
Greeley republicans with the democrats,
gained upon the administration republicans,
and their success might have been greater had
| they been well organized and more determined
The Credit Mobilier developments, which
involved many of the leaders of the republican
| party, the high-handed and partial conduct of
the administration in the State affairs of
Louisiana, the act of Congress for largely in
creasing salaries, including those of its men,
bers both prospectively and for the past
session, and other damaging acts of commits
sion and omission, gave the opposition good
opportunity for attacking and signally defeat
ing the administration party in these first
elections. The public mind was prepared for
that; but as was said, there was lack of
organization and interest, and consequently
the gains were less than they might have BEEN
As in nature calm follows the storm, in
accordance with the principle Of reaction or
compensation, so there is always more or less
political quiet after the excitement of gen.
eral or Presidential election. But the quiet at
present has more the appearance of collapse.
The democratic party was inspired with hope
when it united with and adopted the
candidates of the boiling republicans.
When, however, the coalition failed
to develop as much strength as the demo-
Gratis alone and united could have shown, the
party lost heart and became demorallzed
The democrats saw in the end that they had
made false step-had lost the prestige of
integrity and consistency, and, like a fallen
woman, felt bowed down by adversely and
incapable of showing bold face. The break
ing up and division of the party in the great
State Of New York, and the consequent success
of the republicans, through the corruptions
and overthrow Of the Tammany Ring, left the
democrats powerless where they had been
most strongly intrenched New York was
their. great stronghold. Now, in place of
powerful and vigorous organization, with
abundant means, there are not only divisions
in the party, but the Tammany clique, which
claims to inherit the power of the old
| 10
ing men have no energy or ambition,
and they seem to hold Office in
the society merely for the sake of the honor
or to serve their individual interests in con-
nection with certain railroad magnates and
schemes or to promote certain jobs. They
are, for the most part, political fossils respect
able nonentities or selfish SPECTATORS I'm
der their rule Tammany which was once so
vigorous and powerful, has lost its vitality.
We do not see, therefore how Tammany is to
become controlling power again, at least not
for some time, in the democratic party or in
national politics.
Then, as to the National Committee, or the
party representation in Congress, where are
we to look for the proper men or for any Wig
|
democrats have been thrown out of Congress,
and others who have taken leading part
heretofore have become so tainted and IN
popular that whether in or out Of public life
at Washington, their career Of usefulness is
ended. Not only do we fail to find any such
democratic statesmen, or even active and
energetic politicians, as formerly, either
ut Washington or in New York and
other political centres, but there is neither
life nor organization to be found anywhere.
All is dead level and whitening mediocrity.
Nor do We see any towering men of the party
who could be taken for Presidential candi-
dates-men who have the elements within
them to arouse popular enthusiasm. Mr..
Hendricks of Indiana, and some few others,
are respectable enough, but cannot awaken
any stronger feeling than ordinary respect.
Such is the situation at present with regard to
the democratic party, its most prominent men
and its organization. What change may take
place in the course of two or three years, or
by the time of the next Presidential election,
no one can predict The prospect at present
is by no means fattering. The minority Of
the party in both houses of Congress is so small
that it will be powerless in matters oflegslation,
and it is almost as powerless in most of the
States. With abundant elements in the cor.
ruption, mistakes and short comings of the
dominant republican party, the democrats
have not the ability or organization to make
use of them effectively.
The republicans, having the administration
and the enormous patronage Of the federal
government, an overwhelming major ity both
in the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives, and the control of most of the States,
are in position to paralyze any ordinary op-
| a,,d "a fhoir rnicdaoda