The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-11

were employed This is certainly good
showing, and if q similar economy and ef-
ficiency had been displayed in other municipal
affairs the reform" administration would not
now be regarded as but little better than the
rule Of the Tammany plunderers.
Senator sehurs and Oar Political
Senator Schurz, of Missouri, has issued .
proclamation in the convenient guise of an
s.intsrview" with Washington correspond
emit, the substance of which we print else
where. Mr.. Schurz is . candidate for re-
election to the Senate from the State OF Mis-
souri, The attitude he has assumed during
his present term Of Office has opened him to
much criticism. But he holds position
in our national councils that makes any
declaration of views of great value, as throw
ing light upon the political situation. His
canvass for reelection in Missouri has ma
tional importance. Carl Schurz is one OF our
most gifted public men, and his career shows
conspicuously what opportunity America opens
to the foreigner. He did not come to America
until after entering upon mans estate Al
though among our younger public men he has
filed many Offices. Lieutenant Governor OF .
State, Major General in the army, Minister TO
Spain and Senator in Congress-these are
cumulative honors that have been paid to few
men, certainly to few foreign citizens. In
some respects he has had an erratic career.
He supported Seward against Lincoln in the
convention which nominated Lincoln. he
was teasing supporter of Lincoln's admins
tration. acting with the extreme radicals
He made the first assault on Johnson's admin
istration, and was elected to the Senate be-
cause Of his radicalism. He supported Grant
only to quarrel with him, and upon issues
which failed to command the sympathy of the
country. He presided over the convention
which nominated Greeley, and then declined
to support Greeley until he wrote humiliat-
ing letter. That doubling hesitation was the
first blow Greeley received in his unfortunate
Presidential canvass.
These are traits that make Mr.. Schurz an in
teresting character, for they show independ-
ence of Judgment if not steadfastness of charac-
ter He completes the circle Of his political
career by becoming candidate for the Senate
upon conservative platform. Beginning as
radical republican. he is q conservative
democrat. The contest now, he thinks, is
between the moneyed aristocracy and the
laboring commonalty. The question to be
decided now is whether in subjugating the
rebellion we have given the military idea an
undue prominence in our government.
The country is menaced by two monopolies-
the money and the military monopoly. We
have now in power an oligarchy, daily Gen.
tralizing its forces, narrowing its confidential
limits drawing itself aloof from the people,
and intrenching itself beyond their reach. It
is held together by the cohesive power Of
public plumber, and its leaders are united by
mutual knowledge of each others cor
ruption. The question is, not reconstruc-
ton, finance, the publication Of the bench
or the amendment of the tariff, but ''ShalI
the people govern themselves 2"
This is brilliant, if not sound and prac
teal, platform, but as political work Of ar
may be called in Murillo's gaudiest style. Thu
dangers which Senator Schurz sketches
are certainly elements of new revo
luton in politics The republican party
to-day is absolutely under the contro
of the President far more than was ever tn
democratic party under Jackson. There were
rebelions in Jacksons time, some Of then
successful. General Grant has encountered
rebellion, but he has in oil cases subdued it
Mr.. Schurz himself is an evidence of hi
efficiency in that respect Jackson was q mar
of stubborn will and did many things which
history does not approve But he never main
tanned as theory of executive duty that {
cabinet was only another name for o staff, ant
that o president should select his constitutions
advisers upon the same principle that love
chooses sweetheart-for the color of thei
hair, their comeliness, or their skill in dancing
and playing the piano. The fact that the Presi
dent has done this and has compelled tn
party to support him in the declaration, show
how absolute his power has become.
Senator Schurz, however, gives us q shad
owy platform. There is good deal of colo
and attractiveness about it, but no form. w
have little hope Of successful campaign
against the party in power upon any sucl
issue as ''Shall the people govern them
selves?" There is a vagueness about thi
declaration, which reminds us of the question
in humorous paper, "Are telegraph poles un
healthy?" Misty declarations of an abstrac
faith in abstract ideas are never successful il
political warfare. Bell and Everett ran agains
Lincoln, Breckenridge and Douglas upon
platform of three lines about 'the Union an,
the constitution" It was good platform AM
they were good candidates, but the peopl
chose to vote for facts, not 70