The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-06
THE CANVASS In MASSACHUSETTS,.
The War Against the Administrat ton
Butler or Grant-Which l-Is tho Opp0-
sttf0n q Eizzlee

The War Against the Administra ton
Butler or Grant-Which It's tho Opp0-
sition q FizzIes
From the Boston Advertiser, straight republican,
rs secondary artcle-sept 81
general rule that local elections are the least inter-
esting and most Improbable of all political con-
tests, for the reason that for once q
great principle Is involved, beside which per-
sonal questions between candidates sink
untness Of Genegs Butier for the once Wsich he
his public and private character, are not to be
dwelt ON here, because they are OF subordinate
consequence. II the republican party, In good
faith and by free expression OF opinion, choose to
governor they have an undoubted right to do so,
ana dissatisfied persons can take their measures
S u OF tse eon aho ia
all political parties; and on this issue, II on no
other, ali honest men are republicans, all demo-
Gratis.
1t Is here on this ground that great question
presents ITSELF and here great fight Is being
cobwe6s Of convention must be brushed away and
people must be PLAINLY told what lies before them,
that they may at least walk with open eyes. The
on republicans rests q tremendous responsi.
bility. It seems as though we had arrived
e u w s% to IN direct history s nne
Of the nation right, for in few years
from now 1t may be too late for retreat 1t Is for
them to say whether the United States Is to remain
what 1t always has been-a federal republican
whether 1t is to be ruled by paid army OF officials
under the control OF the central government. Be-
side this great question, all personal disputes, dis
like OF obnoxious laws and local jeal0uSeS vanish
into nothing; and II 10 for the voters OF Massachu
sets now to declare whether the ancient traditions
OF the nation shall be preserved far 1t lies in
their power to preserve them or whether they will
Commonwealth was the first TO establish.
1t Is not difficult to explain how 1t has come to
pass that the central government should under
take to interfere with local politics. Men thinking
alike on certain great questions must have party
organizations for the purpose OF concerted action.
With the growth OF the country, and one or other
OF them necessarily controls the government. 1t
u then tnar INSCRIPTIONS men see their opportu-
nifty, seize on the vast patronage and power
which is thus placed at their disposal, put their
retainers into office at home, and form little
tunes, which from its discipline and compactness
may well hope to govern that very party which
governs the coantry IL We'll to reaect t. where
this tends. In all great political movements, the
course OF events rs 30 slow. 90 gradual and so COW
significance, that men often do not take alarm
until 1t Is too late. France Is an example which
that whoever ~ can seize on the orsanizaticn Of
onicehoiders which centres IN Paris can cause the
provinces to vote as he pleases and 1t is In
treading leads. Does sucn an idea seem
absurd and Impossible Look at the facts.
fdence of the body of the people. He was, as 1t
seemed, utterly crushed two years ago; he has
the support OF ndruly one respectable newspaper
In the State; but he has the support OF the office
holders, and BY their help he proposes to pack a
convention to nominate hun. Once nominated, he
feels surg OF an election, because having stolen
from his party their organization they can form
plan OF united action, and are lett helpessly bound
hand and foot. II such things are possible to-day,
how many years Will elapse before Governors OF
States are sent down into the provinces Dy the
party who for the moment holds power at WASH
ington with as much regularity as collectors and
postmastersf
1t may be that such is the destiny Of America;
fyp,nU In hat nfo atr han and
that the end must come, but 1t shall not come
without struggle, and the State OF Massachu-
sets shall not lead the way II any means now hu-
manly in our power can prevent 1t. This Is no
contest between individuals, but part of that
great struggle which is taking place throughout
the United States between honesty and the manly
traditions of the Republic on one side. and that in
stdious poison OF corruption which Is everywhere
eating into our national life on the other. The
battle must be fought squarely and on the true
ground. The sooner 1t comes the better, for the
longer the disease neglected the deeper 1t strikes
its roots. II we act now with honesty and courage
we shall do our duty, and We shall gain at least
victory for what Is right over the degraded cham
piUn OF degraded cause.