New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-30
MISSOURI POLITICS.
LESSONS OF THE SENATORIAL ELECTION


To the Edttor Of The Trfbune
SIR: The first test of the newly naueurated
State Government IN Missouri came in the election Of
Louis f. BOgy to I'LL the place Prank r. Blair IT, IN
the United States Senate. Both this selection and the
manner OF 1t have caused some remark and throw SOMA
light upon tho temper OF the majority In the Legislature
The opposition TO Gen. Blair due 10 many concurrng
influences Some could not forget that be had been An
active emancipationis and conspicuous UDion soldier
but these facts did control the action many Soma
opposition originated In the desire OF former Coniede
rate soldiers 10 be represented the Senate by one of
their number and yet several Of this class voted for
Blair from the first while Others after voting for several
Confederate candidates. cngth to him In prefer
to Bogy, 80 that the decisive ballot. Blair had
the support OF nearly half OF the Confederate element IN
the Democratic CAUCUS Some voted against him on the
score OF locality because St. Louis already had one
Senator (5churz). and became earnest in their
opposition that when all other candidates except
Blair and Bogy. both from st. Louis. we're dropped
they voted for BOgy attburng the lsuccoss Of ther
favortes to the persistency of Blar's friends. Some
Liberals who ated with the Democratic caucus remem
bered the appearance Of Blair and Brown Cinon nat
and voted against the General IN order to defeat that
clique TO whose personal designs and ungracious
ference they ascribed injustice TO Senator SchUrz
defeat TO the compromising Liberal movement. But
these, again. not many IN number and German
members voted for Blair, while others declined ~ vote
at all the decisive ballot. Unquestionably hs NJ
health contributed much to his defeat Oaly
because he was unable 10 enter with his usual personal
activity into the contest but also because 1t TO
doubtful whether he would be able 20 through
his TERM at least with efficiency OF larger i'm
portance was the very general conviction that under
the leadership of Blair tho party had met with dis
astrous defeats part because Of his personal sct and
that time for him TO give place ~ somebody less
potent for mischief If not better fitted for aggressive
effort This argument used with especial force by the
old members OF the partythe men who bad been Demo
Gratis when Blair a Republican. They protested
the old Democracy Of Missouri did nos want 10 10
led exclusively by the Blair Brown clique composed Of
former Abolltionists and Republcans that this
clique had shown disposition 10 &" run things" solely
Tor its own advantage that Blair had been candidate
for vce-Presdent once, and Brown, his cousin, at the
election, and both had contributed greatly TO de-
feat the party that Missouri would have IN schurz one
Senator who represented former RepuDhcans and
ought to have one man who could represent former
Democrats.
DIVISIONS AMONG THE DEMOCRATS.
All these elements OF opposition would have failed 70
defeat Blair had not his friends unwisely made an
enemy OF the most active and efficient worker IN tho
legislature Mr. Huchns OF 81. Louis. True, Blair was
the first choice OF less than 40 members OF the caucus
while co were needed to nominate. But IL extremely
difficult to unite this opposition, and but for MI Hutch
ms. it would not have been sufficiently united. AT the
opening Of the session Mr. Hutchns candidate for
war upon him and defeated hun. He then looked for
revenge and having the aid OF several Of the most
active workers State proceeded to effect strong
alliance OF friends Of other candidates in opposition 70
Blair HIS preference for Bocy originated personal
assistance rendered by BOgy 10 him years before when
Hutchins came to St. Louis, almost without money, and
undertook the difficult task OF starting newspaper
Remarkable as his success with The Times has been be
seems not TO forget those whose early aid made that
success possible. Beng a member with strong force
OF friends the numerous branch OF The Lcgisa-
ture, and having faculties Of work and combination
equaed by other member OF either House, his nfu
ence against Blair and favor OF Bogy turned the scale
The OppOrtunty invited shrewd management. Tho
Democrats are divided into three factons-the Con
ederate fighters the stay-athOme Democrats. or 'tay
stack Rebels" and the Union men, Between tue Con
federates and the Rebels OF the " haystdek" Variety
there is intense bitterness No words can convey an
idea Of the hatred felt by many returned soldiers Of tho
| Southern army toward the old Democratic politicians.
whose advice pushed them into the war aud who then
deserted the cause they had called sacred and stayed
at home 10 snarl aud whine take the oath and to save
their property. Col Crisp calls them qunine patriots
ana relates that when be returned from service IN the
Rebel army he was accosted by OF these fellows
who found II absolutely impossible 10 90 South, yon
know, but then we sent you quinine." Finally. be
| broke out upon one OF them: "StOp that cantl l
| find by careful computation that you fellows ID
St. Louis alone sent 10000 tons OF quinine, and thai
is enough! But the ConfederateS themselves were fi
from united Whenever any one Of them comes forward
for a high office others attack him. They no reason
why he should be honoTed rather than themselves, and
80 unite to hunt him down. Had this element been
united in the Legislature it might hayeinamed the Sen
ator; as it was presented half dozen candidates
and they slaughtered each other. Then some went 70
Blair and to Bogy and Phelps. United IN nothing.
they allowed the old-fashoned Democrats and Hay
stack Rebels" make BOsy Senator; first because no
,,oll lp llu
! in any sense Union man. as Phelps had third, be
cause though sympathzing with the Rebellion, he had
| done fghting and finally, because he was cour'
teous gentleman OF moderate ability, aud with record
generally inofeusye because nearly blank. HIS cleo
don nothing 10 the future tendency OF the
party He has not the faculty disposition 70 use ID
nuence 80 Is to build up power around himself He IA
neither reactonst progressive; neither Free
Trader nor a PrOtectionist in clearly defined pos
tive sense. He chosen because IN the wranee DO
tween those hostile elements he presented less sharp an
tagonm TO either than anybody else, and the contest
between them Will on just as II Ills election lad HO'
happened
CAUSES AND SIGNIFICANCE OF BoGY's TRIUMPH
Possibly this wrangle might have ended in explo
if friends OF Gen. Grant had not interfered bat
they forward, urging Democrats to 10 out Oh
caucus and join with Republicans In eleeting some
Democrat acceptable the President They olaimed'
have pledges Of control all patronage in the STALE
II they could carry ouths scheme or course leaked
out and Democrats, having in mind the North Carolina
operation became determined 10 unite upon some
body In caucus Then there another fear that Gov
woolson's friends would help TO prevent caucus nomr
nation. and then join with Republicans TO secure ms
election so that Leut.-GOy. johnson. Liberal Repue
lican, would become Governor. Absnrdy unpracho"'
this scheme yet served TO frighea some people Ine'
resolved to shut of all danger by nominating somebody
Nobody could be nominated who particularly repre-
sented either faction and the choice fell Bogy
Its said that his friends used money Certain lOpoJ
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