New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-05
LOST. A POLITICAL PARTY.

LOST A POLITICAL PARTY
Some of tho most serious men in this coun-
try are getting agitated over the disappearance
of great political party. This party had
directors meeting in Philadelphia in June.
1872, at which it was voted unanimously TO
continue business upon tho plan of our cur
rency and fnances-tO wit, the issue Oh
promises-and to continue also the organi-
zation which was upon the plan oil
tho Credit MObicr-tO divide the proits
among an inside Ring of stock or ONCE
holders This party has either strayed or been
stolen. A number of Christian statesmen ana
two or three State Conventions have expressed
the opinion that it is only case of estray
that it will return and redeem its promises
and make everybody happy before 1870
Others. and of these a considerable portion are
residents Of Massachusetts and in large de-
gree citizens of Boston, have no hesitation IN
expressing the conviction that it has been stoleh'
They 90 so far indeed as to describe inc
unloyely appearance of tho thief, his suspi-
cious action around headquarters, and the
swagger with which he stalked off with the
linn legs of the Civil Service hanging loose
out of his coat pocket. And few are going
about making inquiries about their invest
ments in 1872, and 10 a large-eyed wondering
way seeking in Congress and elsewhere the
party that made them such fair promises.
They fail to find 1t anywhere. IL has disap-
pearcd.
There may DO fragments OF this organization
scattered about in the various States OF the
Union-indeed there is no difficulty in finding
the name and sign in many localties-but the
G,,I boil xtrttl Inn in
take up the outstanding obligations, and Con-
gress is anything else but clearing house for
them. TO promote the search, we give pub
LEFTY to description in detail. The missing
party promised to reform the Civil Service.
That reform was never more needed mo
persons now in possession Of the Government
have driven out the Chairman of the Civil
Service Board. disregarded tho rules, turned
over the reform to the tender mercies of its
enemies, and made everything blue in MaSsa-
chusetts by appointing Simmons Collector. Ihc
missing party promised ga speedy resump-
"tion of specie payments" The leading states
men now running the GOvernmcnt-Mcssrs
Morton, Logan, Butler, Cameron, and Kelley
are opposing resumption with all their might,
and irving to increase the volume OF IRE
deemable currency. The missing party prom
ised to abolish the Thanking privilege, and
here is the only trace that can be found of it
for eighteen months. The privilege was
abolished by tho last Congress, but the
leading statesmen made a desperate effort
the other day to restore it, and 1T is by
no means certain they will not yet succeed.
The missing party promised to protect the
purity of the ballot-box. 1t never needed pro-
lection moro than now, when repeaters are
pardOned and usurpatiOns sustained by the
Federal Government; but nobody can be
found to redeem the promise The missing
party said that subordinate positions III the Gov
eminent should not be considered rewards for
mere party zeal. Massachusetts is looking for
the party that made that statement. to call its
attention to tho Boston CustOm-hOuse and say
to it with heightened hiss, " Simmons" The
missing party promised to abolish the evils OF
patronage and make honesty, efficiency, and
fidelity the essential qualifications for public
position Everybody is looking for the
redemption Of that promise; but there's
nobody to redeem, even in sums of five dol
lars or less. The missing party said it "ac-
"ccpted with grand courage the solemn duties
"of the time The people, who are tired OF
party that shirks the solemn duties of the
time. and that does not even como up to the
solemn duty of summonlng witnesses, but
" yindicates" its leading statesmen without
word of testimony, are looking around
anxiously for the party that accepts with
grand courage the solemn duties of the
time-and they look in vain. Nobody
seems to meet the solemn duties of the time
but Mr.. Butler of Massachusetts. and the sol
emn duty Of his time is to look out for Num-
Der One, which he does with such grand cOur-
age that Mr. Boutwell, and Mr.. Dawes and the
rest Just lay on their oars and look at him
while he does IT.
One more thing the missing party did. 1t
believed that "the modest patriotism, the
"earnest purpose the sound judgment, the
"practical wisdom. the incorruptible integrity,
L" aud the illustrious services of Ulysses S.
"Grant have commended him to the heart of
" the American people, That party has dis
appeared utterly. Mr.. John NJ. Forbes chair
man of a delegation of citizens of Boston
who recently visited Washington, is looking
for it with lighted candle, and as he goes
about he whispers. There's great mystery
"about it, We do not understand it," Tho
Springfeld Republican, assisting the search,
says the legs of the lost party may be seen
hanging out of Mr.. Buffers pocket; but Mr..
Forbes and the rest of the Boston delegation
90 about singing in a melancholy strain,
" Not there, not there, my child"
Should this party turn up anywhere no
special reward is offered for it, but great
,ncny neonlo would like to know where il ia