The New York herald., 1874-10-21
Too Late.

The republican party would seem to b in
the position Of the French army at the battle
of Waterloo after the arrival of the Prussians.
The compact. fighting array that seemed
strong enough to save France sudden
ly yielded to . panic. The cry Of despair
arose in the ranks the soldiers rushed
here and there, striving for safety, but only
to be captured or sabred by the allied horse
men, Only yesterday and the republican
party seemed defiant and irresistible. It
claimed to rule the country, dictate the
measures of reconstruction and compel the
acquiescence of the people in q violation of
the spirit of the constitution simply to servo
the ambition OF General Grant The demo-
Gratis were despised as ''copperheads" or
rebels. The statesmen in power seemed anxious
only to gain wealth. General Grant swept away
all the traditions of the Executive Office, and
used il, as he did the chief command OF an
army, as a simple military post, with the
ofice-holders as an army, the Cabinet as his
staff, all bent to the execution OF his Will
Notwithstanding these changes and violations
of the constitution notwithstanding the
misery that came upon the South, making
reconstruction disgracs and crime not
withstanding subsidy schemes and wild fnan-
cial experiments, and blunders that under
other circumstances would have brought
shame and confusion upon any party, the
leaders, arrogant with war victories and war
powers, continued on and on, and believed
they had only to 60 to the polls to win
victory.
When the HERALD, eighteen months ago,
pointed out the tendency of these phenomena,
and argued with logic which, whether sound
or uusound, has never yet been answered, that
the inevitable result would be an agitation for
third term, there were only ridicule and
mockery. Eloquent orators valiantly defended
Grant from any tendency to Caesarism. Mr..
Mast recalled the genius of Hogarth in series
of caricatures Of the ''new sensation" The
HERALD was held up to scorn. The Pres
subject was ''beneath" him, although
it had not been beneath Washington,
jefferson or Jackson. He would not
speak, nor his friends for him. In time the
HERALD showed from incontestable evidence
that mai ority of Senators and Representa-
tives were prepared to accept if not
willing to welcome the third term. This reve-
lation came upon the country, and the
answer was promptly returned by Indiana and
Ohio.
Suddenly all was changed. Silent men
found speech. Pig Iron Kelley, who was
trimmer while conversing with our corre-
spondent, found voice, and in tones Of
thunder denounced q third term. Robson
made an occasion for speech, and, although
he said little, it was thought to be enough for
New Jersey. Belknap found some one in a
railway car to report him as mildly
deprecating the discussion. Keen and wise
Henry Wilson feared the ''burden" would
overload the party, and events have shown
how wisely he reasoned. And Centennial Dix
is said to be waiting for band Of music to
enable him TO issue another order to s'shoot on
the spot the CHsarism sensation But it is
too late-too late! It will never do. Silence
was crime; speech now would be cowardice.
When the HERALD spoke it was deemed to be
the warning Of Cassandra. Our admonitions
were despised even as the admonitions of Cas-
sandra. Now every one is only too eager to
listen. But it is too late! The republican
party must carry this burden to the end, and
it is burden that bids fair to drag it to dis
honor and defeat.