The New York herald., 1874-10-29
The Republican Canvass-The sacri-
fee OF Dix.

| ieP"oiie0u canvass Wnlcn nave produced u
profound impression upon those of our
people who are not concerned in politics. AS
matters looked few weeks since the repub-
hcans IN New York had victory within their
reach. They had, to be sure, their own bur-
dens There was the burden of long-wielded
power, which rusts and corrodes the best of
administrations. There was the burden of
reconstruction, which came with the RESPONSE
bihty OF emancipation, and from which the
republican party could not even wish to es-
cape. There was the burden of the third
term, which is now the dominant issue of the
canvass. as the HERALD prophesied it would
become two years ago. There was the bur-
den OF imitation, for which Western repub-
licans made themselves responsible. There
were other burdens, manifold. heavy need
less; but Grant was strong in his vast per-
sonal strength-strong also as the head OF q
party which obeyed him with accomplishing
alacrity. There was the fear, and by no
means the causeless fear, that the success of the
democratic party would revive the dormant
flames of the rebellion. Above all there was
the immense strength which General Grant
and the desire of financial men not to risk
any changes in the administration Of State or
national affairs. To crown all Governor Dix
had proved himself most capable Executive,
and in the financial discussions attending the
imitation measures had, even before Grant
acted, put himself on the record against MIA
ton and repudiaton as became the Governor
of great State like New York.
When the canvass came all the plans and
hopes of the republican party looked above
Governor Dix. He had never been favorite
with the leaders. His record ran beyond the
life OF the party. He had been useful and
highly distinguished man before the party and
most of it's leaders were born. He had little
personal sympathy or association with the
leaders He was nominated to aid the election
of Grant and, having contributed to that re-
suit, he was of no use to the mere politicians
So it was proposed to shelve or retire
the Governor and nominate Aionzo B.
Cornell, . young man of fair ability and re-
spectacle character, whose principal claim to
prominence in the party was the affectionate
appreciation of Roscoe Conklng. Mr.. Cor
nell was simply one of the political whims of
Mr.. Conkling, but when the Senator proposed
to indulge it by commanding his nomination
for Governor the common sense of the country
and the State protested. The spectacle of John
A. Dix being deliberately sacrificed for the
fame and emolument of Alonzo B. Cornell
was not what the republican party would
quietly endure. Furthermore, the added
popularity of the Governor was necessary to
the canvass, and, although his years, his
honors, his already long and active service
all pleaded for his release from active official
duty, there was no escape. General Dix was
nominated and Mr. Cornell passed into a con-
dition of political coma, in which he has re-
mained ever since the assembling of the Con-
vention.
Certainly no party ever owed leader as
loyal a support as the republicans owed Gov
ernor Dix. He had in no way burdened their
canvass. There were twenty acts of Grants
administration for which his friends were
only too ready to explain and apoI ozize
There we're st. Domingo, salary grab Office
appointing achievements, which kept the
party leaders busy excusing. But there was
nothing requiring explanation or apology in
the record of Governor Dix. From the time
when, sixty years ago, he defended the flag
against foreign enemy until when, thirteen
years ago, he defended 1t against treason, his
life has been loyal useful and true. But his
nomination has not suited the exigencies of
the party leaders, These men, like the Senators
of the Lower Roman Empire, or the adventur-
ers who made the Napoleonic coup d. ftat, did
not want Dix They have never concealed their
chagrin over his nomination. His advice was
not taken IN the Convention. He has been ig-
nored in the canvass. The Convention was
managed to suit Grant; the canvass has been
managed to suit Morgan. 1t is an open
secret that the republican contest in New
York is to secure Mr. Morgan the
succession to Fenton, and all the polit-
ical activity is in the Assembly districts.
In New York, by that mysterious process Of
barter and trade which forms SO essential a
feature in our politics, the Governorship is
being snapped off for Assemblymen. The
leaders OF the party are silent or apathetic.
At the democratic meeting the other evening
we had all the leading men in the party. Mr..
Tilden remained away, as was becoming in
New Yorker who did not wish to take part in
charter politics; but we had Seymour and
Blair, Herman and Parker. Here was the
genius of democracy as represented in its
trusted leaders. What did we see at the re-
publican meeting? There was Mr.. Orton,
who can scarcely be called politician, and
who seems to have stumbled in, in friendly
way, and was at once made President. There
was Edwards Pisrrepont who has been so
hardly used by the President in the award of
high Office that he seems resolved to make
himself a martyr to his own magnanimity.
Tbava uoo oloo tho Govarp0r Uh0 yno1a fha