The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-19

army and navy, we understand, intend to do
him all honor. Let the Captain of the Niobe
have a right royal welcome; and let it be
known the wide world over that New York
understands how to honor man who knows
his duty and does, at the right time and in the
right way, perform it. So long as Sir
hampton Lorraine lives the grand old race of
sea kings will have representative.
The Significance OF tho New Hamp-
shire Election.
The republicans, a. far as we can Judge
from the expressions of their party papers, do
not look upon the New Hampshire election as
indicating any change in public sentiment
generally, or as seriously affecting their future
prospects,. They pretend that their losses
result from mere local issues or feeling, and
from the fitful capriciousness of q people in .
particular section-that in fact, they have no
national significance or influence. The demo
cratic press on the other side, is jubilant, and
argues that the partial success of the demo-
Gratis is the beginning of q political revolution.
This is the usual course of party politicians
and is a sort of special pleading for effect
Still, there is no denying that the democrats
have the best of the argument The result
shows that But their victory, as far as it goes.
is not very great, and has been achieved moro
upon negative than positive issues. The adj
ministration republicans lost because OF tho
errors and declining popularity of the party.
The democrats gained correspondingly for
the same reason, and not because
they had any popular or great measures upon
which to appeal to the people There are ele-
ments enough in the mismanagement OF tho
national finances, in the extravagance and cor
ruption of tho dominant party, in the Louisi-
ana ''monstrosity," in the success of "Butler-
ism in Massachusetts,, and in other damag-
ing matters, to break down the republicans:
but the people naturally ask what the demo-
Gratis have to offer. The democrats labored
and after our late civil war, and have been in
Q minority both in the federal Congress and
most of the States. The local and spasmodic
reaction in their favor which has been seen at
times never went far or amounted to much.
Though there has been disposition on tho
part of the people to revolt against republican
misrule, corruption and incompetency, par
ticularly of late, the opposition has done
nothing remarkable, either in action or prom
Use, to win over disafected voters. The coun-
try then, is Just in this situation, that, while
the party in power gives dissatisfaction and
there is growing desire for change, the OPP
position has not overcome the objections
against it or done anything to regain conf
dence and popularity.
IF the republicans and administration will
take lesson from the New Hampshire cleo
ton and public sentiment generally, and. to
use the words Of the President will UNLOAD
the weight that rests upon them, they may
continue to hold power. In the absence of
new and stirring issues the sentiment of con-
servatism and dislike of change which is en-
tertained by large class of the people may
serve them, provided they honestly commence
policy of reform. Then, as last resort,
some fresh popular issue, on foreign or
home question, might be started. In every
way the dominant party has advantages for
maintaining its power if it will use them.
But will it? We have no indications of that
at the present time. It seems to be satisfied
with relying upon the past. 1t believes ap-
parently, that its power is invincible, and that
it can override or control public opinion.
Such mistake has been common enough with
all parties when they have become very power
full. The republican party is really as much
ON oligarchy as was the slave power before the
war. A few men control it, and it mercilessly
cuts off any member, however exalted, who
ventures to be honestly independent as in
the case of the late Senator Sumner. But
the people will certainly revolt against
the corruption and arbitrary conduct of
such an oligarchy, and, if we mistake
not, there are signs of that in the
New Hampshire election. It remains to be
seen if the republican porty will be wise in
time to "unload" and enter upon new and
popular course. But it will be uphill work
for the democrats to get possession of the
government through the failings of the repub-
Icans alone and without popular measures.
At present they have neither taking plat
form nor able leaders. The question of freq
trade is not practical one, whatever may
be said of the principle, for we must raise
large revenue from duties, and the peo-
pie would not submit to direct taxation. On
the subject of cheap transportation, in which
the grangers and farmers generally Of the
West and South are deeply interested, the
republicans do not lag behind the democrats,
and are possibly, a little in advance. Where.
then, will the democrats find an issue that
can bring them into popular favor9 The
money question. is Of greatest interest Y the
country at the present time, but is full Of diff
culties, and could hardly Be made ID party one;
yet if there were democratic statesmen who
could solve the problem and rally the party