The New York herald., 1874-11-10
NEW YORK HERALD TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1s7TRIPLE

carried by the democrats, when New Jersey
elected Parker by more than fourteen thou
sand, when Seymour was elected Governor
of New York, beating a Union soldier like
Wadsworth by more than ten thousand ma
jority; when Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, went
democratic by pronounced majorities, and
when it seemed as ii q ''tidal wave" was about
to overwhelm the republican party But two
years after Lincoln was chosen President
over the popular Mcclellan. This was
because Lincoln took to heart the admoni-
tion of the defeats and so reformed his policy
by the proclamation of emancipation and the
vigorous prosecution of the war upon high and
pronounced Union principles that he over
came the anger of his own party and led it
cnce more to power. The victory over Grant
in 1874 is no more conclusive as political
fact than was the victory over Lincoln in 1862.
All will dependu upon the use made OF it by the
democrats, in the first place, reaping the fruits
Of the triumph, and by the republicans, in the
second place, retrieving the errors which have
lost them the confidence of the country
There must be lines of new departure for
the democracy. 1t is not question of camp
plunder with the leaders, but question of
principle. We must have this maxim in the
beginning-"No Reputation and no seces-
sion." There must be no recognition of those
financial heresies which come to us from the
West and of the secession aspirations which
are not dead in the South. We must have
the wisdom and moderation of T.lden on
nd
chivalry of Gordon on secession. We
must have q pronounced opinion on
the third term. The democratic party,
in every State where the leaders have
power over the Legislature, must pronounce
tor an amendment to the constitution limiting
the Executive to one term. This should be
done at once. The republicans VIII not op-
pose it, or at best they will only make
nominal opposition. To fail in this now, and
especially after the sentiment of the country
on the issue of Casarism, would do the party
irreparable injury. Then we must have civil
service reform, and this Mr.. Ti1den should
introduce into New York city. In this city
the democrats have absolute andunquestioned
power. There are more civil servants in Office
under various forms Of administration than
in many monarchies of the Old World. The
whole business Of Office has been shameful
barter and sale, and the promotion of
crime and ignorance for years. Let the re-
form begin here, and let Mr.. Tilden show the
nation what he and his party would do with
the nation by what they will do in New York.
Passing from this to the South, we must have
o national convention Of peace and recon-
s.ruction. The time has come for the due
consideration of many important questions,
Of readjusting the relations Of the States to
the national government of considering what
shall be the true basis of credit, of regulating
the relations between the State and great in
terests like the railways and Of restoring the
country to that republican form of govern
ment which has been so sadly shattered by
the results of tha war.
These, then, ars the lines Of the new depar-
ture that now open to the democracy. We do
not wish to rudely interrupt their natural and
long-deferred rejoicings. Tiut, at the same
time, the victory con only become a victory
when its fruits are gathered. The democratic
leaders have need of the utmost WISDOM mod
Grafton and courage. They must commend
themselves more and more to the conservative
common sense Of the country. They must rise
to the responsibility as well as to the exulta-
ton of triumph. Nothing is easier thrown
away than victory. Jubal Early showed this
in the Shenandoah. Now let our democratic
leaders be wise, and not be surprised by some
political Phil Sheridan and sent "whirling
down the valley"