Litchfield enquirer., 1875-08-26
Politics and Parties.

marked that this year Democrats and Re publicans might exchange platforms in the dark, and nobody would discover the mistake. Indeed, politics are so plainly a question of place rather than principle, that people are hardly awake to the fact that there may be some issues at stake next year worth considering, and that coming elections arc shaping those issues for 1876. Last spring the Republicans of this state, not very wisely we thought. took issue on Louisiana. We stiffened oar backbone with a very straight ticket and very straight platform and were ter rificaIIy beaten. The more cautious New Hampshire Republicans took no stock ill the ''banditti" and "outrage" business, and came out of the fight with whole skins if not with flying colors. Our de- feat must have convinced all sensible Re- publicans that distrust of the Southern white is no longer the predominant feel ing at the north but, rather. disgust with the Southern black Such has been the feeling aroused among Northern Republi- cans by the atrocious plundering and mis- government of Southern Republicans that they cannot but desire as patriots the de- feat of their own party in the very states of which as partisans they would most desire tO retain control. If the Southern Con- seFyative is not openly reactionary, there- sR A. &hnk not repeat in our national convention next year, the mistake we made in our state convention, this spring, without in- eurring inevitable defeat.
 But if Connecticut revealed the weak we shall be surprised if Ohio does not disclose equal danger to the Democracy on the other. What Carpet -Baggery did for Republicanism, here, Imitation bids fair to do for Democracy, there. We can not claim that our own party is quite sOund on that issue, Eut it is much sound CT than our opponents. Grants veto, the firm stand of Republicans west of Indi- ana, the issne in Ohio, tho old party re- cord, all bind Republicanism to the true faith. Democracy, on the other hand, with its Pendletonian hercsy of 1868, it's distinct committal to Imitation in Ohio, and its doubtful Southern wing. runs great risk of split which no political tact can avoid. Hence many an honest Dem- Ocrat prays for the defeat of his party in Ohio, this year, just as many an honest Republican prayed for the defeat of the Kellogg rascality in Louisiana, last year.
 From tho best information VIC can get, We imagine Imitation and the Ohio Dem- ocracy are doomed to defeat, next Octo- her. In that case, hardmoney Democra- cy will probably claim the ticket and plat form in 1876, though they may even then Do forced into damaging concessions. Supposing. however, that defeat in Ohio should give Imitation its quietus, what are VIC to fight over in 1876? Republicans will have been taught not to burn their fingers with Carpet -Baggery, and Demo- crats will be equally shy of imitation. Apparently that would leave nothing for 1876 but a squabble over men. with for. lorn hope for some sort of political ''Sur. vival of the Fittest." In such case Gov. Tilden. of New York, with his excellent record of battle with the Tweed and Canal Rings, seems the obvious trump card for the Democracy to play. With real re- former at their head, such as Tilden Las proved himself to be, and q reform plat form inaugurating war, not with eman- cipation and negro suffrage, but against the tyranny of ignorance and corruption that has resulted from too nasty recon struction, the Democrats would seem to have an uncommonly fine prospect of suc- cess. Still there is year yet remaining for those wonderful "slips between cup and lip" for which politics arc so remark able. Imitation is not yet bottled. Next winter the Democracy become responsible for national House of Representatives. We doubt whether the Southern leopard has altogether changed his spots ;" she may wake mp most inopportunely. as she has done in times past. and change the po- litical face of things in day,
 Although the chances of 1876 seem against us. there are some hopeful signs for Republicanism. There has never been so good a Republican administration un- der Grant as there is to-day. The "ald. de-campish" cabinet of 1869 has given place. in large degree, to men who really represent and have the confidence of tho Republican party. Grants earlier admin istration was a source of weakness to hi. party. His later administration, with men like Bristow and Jewell who know their business, and the immediate pros. pect of such another in place of Delano is a source of strength to his party. Wt have always believed President Gran to Do an honest President He hal been slow to learn civil affairs, but h, docs learn. Confident men who promis, much have no longer an undue influence with a modest man who felt that he hat much to learn. The reign of Bosses seems to be over. Murphy, Shepherd
 and Butler have gone their ways. Hi