The New York herald., 1874-11-21
Tn. President and Political Rumors.

Rumors about the republican party are not
quite as numerous as its voters, yet the re-
ports concerning it are in natural proportion
to its losses Nobody asks what the demo-
cratic party is going to do, unless it is whether
it will urge the one term amendment
or investigate the records of the ad-
ministrntion but every one is curious
to know what will be the course OF
the republican politicians. They have come
suddenly into unexpected possession OF tre-
mendous defeat, and the question is, ''What
will they do with it 2" 1t has had many contra
dictory answers but everybody is agreed that
republicanism must do something to regain its
supremacy or pass into political history with
the wings, the free soilers, the federalists and
the other great parties which are now but
splendid memories and traditions.
President Grant is reported to have said,
some months ago, that it was time for the re-
publican party to unload. His advice would
been more effective. The only unloading
that we are aware the republican party
has done is that Of several hundred thou
sand voters in the late elections. 1t got rid
of these very easily, and its principal anxiety
appears to be to get them back. Every one
expects an effort of this kind to be
made, and the administration is naturally
looked to for leadership. This expectation
gives color to the rumors that yesterday were
prevalent in political circles that thorough
reorganization of the party had been deter
mined upon by President Grant, after G. con-
and Senator Conkling. We have been unable
to trace this report to an authentic
source, but it is certainly not unlikely
that such a movement in this State is
contemplated. Changes might be made with
advantage in the personnel of the office-hold-
ers, and that they will be made seems to be
the substance Of the political rumors which
ore elsewhere printed. But merely to change
men without changing policy would be useless.
The republican party needs change of heart.
Like the rest of sinners, it cannot be saved
unless it is born again.
The reform the President is expected to
make sh .s.ld not begin in New York, but in
Washington. When the woodman fells tree
he does not begin at the branches but with
the trunk. The belief that it is the intention
OF General Grant to make important
changes is founded on the knowledge
CT the public that he cannot main
tain the administration as it is. People
look for complete reorganization of the Cabi-
net with almost as much confidence as they
look for the rising Of the sun, for it is a
fundamental measure upon which the success
Of all others must depend. Our Washington
dispatches intimate the likelihood that the
President will offer Mr.. Blaine seat in the
Cabinet and as leading republican his ap-
pointment might give satisfaction to the party.
But, whether Mr.. Blaine becomes Postmaster
General or Mr.. Washburne the Secre-
tary Of State, and no matter who may
be chosen for the other places, one
thing is sure, that to reform the Cabinet is
compulsory duty upon the President if he
desires to continue as the head of the republi-
can party. While it was successful he could
command the party, but in its present condi-
tion Of defeat, distrust and discomfort, we are
greatly mistaken if he does not find that he
must obey the stern political necessities of the
hour.