The New York herald., 1875-03-25
What Have tho Democrats Dones

1
! Six months ago the democratic party was in
the full swell of the tidal wave which swept
over the Republic, destroying the supremacy
of the republican party in the House of Rep
resentatives, and threatening not to spend its
force until it had carried the democrats into
the possession of the national government.
The issues upon which this political revolu-
ton was accomplished were-frst, the belief
that in every respect President Grants admin
istration had failed, and the expectation that
the democratic party upon acceding 10 power
would redeem these failures and bring new
regime OF economy, craftsmanship and peace.
The third term, the civil service reform, re-
trenchment, back pay, the salary grab-these
were the cries which animated the democrats
in their canvass. They now enter upon an
other campaign. New Hampshire, which
they should have carried decisively is drawn
battle. Connecticut, which should be demo-
cratic by good majority, considering the
majorties in New jersey Pennsylvania and
New York, hangs in the balance. Take what
our correspondents write from that State, and
the issue is still uncertain.
Why is this? General Grant has done
nothing, if we may except perhaps, the Veto
ing Of the Bounty bill, to commend himself to
the confidence of the country to greater de-
gree than six months ago. On the contrary,
he has shown stubbornness of purpose in
his appointments and much of his policy
which indicates that he is as stiff-necked
as ever, and not disposed to change his
plans in obedience to the popular will
If anything. his administration is more
worthy Of condemnation than six months
ago, for we have had the Arkansas Mes
sage, developments in the Washington city
government and corrupt appointments to
Office. Why is it, then, that while the repub-
lican party has not improved its record since
the defeat of last autumn the democratic
party is checked in New England, and the
question as to whether it will succeed in the
next campaign is as uncertain as anything can
be in American politics?
The answer to this is that the democrats
have shown themselves to be not statesmen
but politicians, and insincere politicians at
that. The true leaders Of the party are
quietly pushed aside by the hack politicians
who saw in the victory last autumn only the
assurance of continued victory, no matter
what mistakes they might make Conse-
quently there has not been single promise
made by the democrats in the last canvass
that they have redeemed. They fought Grant
upon the third term, and what democrat in
Congress made the third term an issue?
Without invidious mention of names, where
ever the democratic party had it in its power
to honor an Independent statesman 1t struck
him down and preferred one of its own poll
ticians. In New York we were to have q COM
plete change In the whole government Here
the democrats acceded to unquestoned power
in both State and city. Yet the party has
done nothing. We are no better off in New
York to-day than We we're when Tweed was in
power. 1t is true that Tweed and his
colleagues stole far more. but if Green
and his party are not robbing us they are
strangling us. Questions of local improve
ment, questions necessary to the growth of
the city and State have been overlooked and
democratic party in the city and State cul-
inmates in intrigue for place in the city, in
trigue for power in Albany and intrigues for
the Presidency. Consequently, with an ex-
ample like this--and N this country of free
press and interlacing telegraph lines an ex-
ample in New England to-day is known in
California to-morrow-the democrats have
lost courage in the other States and the repub-
icans have taken heart. The tidal wave is
checked. and unless the democrats do better
with their power than they have done heretofore
the chances are that the enormous patronage
of the President, the military prestige which
surrounds him, combined with that conserya-
tive sense Of so many classes (Which believes
in letting well enough alone) would wait the
republicans to power. We should have a
blessed escape from the greatest danger that
could befall the country If at the head of this
movement General Grant is not n candidate
for third term.
The Press and tho Pistol.
In the lands case the personal remedy for