The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-06
The Repubncnn PARTY Since th'
Elections.

/ elections Slgnlned thef WEAKNESS OF DotH
political parties as they are at present con
stituted and Differed. In the most forcible
manner they have condemned the initiation
schemes Of Western democrats and the secret
political organization of Tammany, which
ventured once more to raise its head, and to
which Governor Tilden, unhappily for HIM
self, lent his countenance. But in an equally
forcible and distinct manner they have warned
the republican leaders that they have not
their approval either. The small maiorities
which they have given the republicans at the
moment when they were determined to con-
denim the democrats show conclusively the
condition of the public mind-the profound
dissatisfaction of the people with both par
ties.
In reading the journals published in diff
ferent parts of the country nothing is Just
now more striking than the general desire
expressed for a reorganization of parties, for
new leaders capable and willing to return to
the true American ideas. There is not the
least doubt that the appearance ola new party,
in such strength as to have hope of sue
cess in the Presidential campaign, would be
II
not the least doubt, either, that no such
party will appear strong enough to attract
voters or to do more than make muddle of
the election in 1876. Party machinery in
this country has become too formidable to be
easily overturned, and we must perforce
work with the means at hand. Dissatisfied
democrats feel compelled to work for reform
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fed republicans labor for improvement
within republican party lines, and the indie
pendent voter stands by, watches the efforts
and intrigues Of the politicians, and finds
himself compelled on election day to make
choice between two evils-able to defeat the
worst, but unable to overrule either side for
the highest good. This is not very salts
factory condition Of politics, but such as it
is we must accept it for the present and
make the best Of it.
1t is, therefore, an interesting question,
How, under these circumstances have the
elections of this fall left the republican
party? To a superficial view it seems to have
regained somewhat of the strength which
was lost to it last year 1t has recovered o
portance it has cut down many Of the large
democratic maiorities of last year it has re-
gained the control of legislatures in some
States and of the Executive Department in
Others In the list of democratic States
which we printed yesterday only four are
Northern, and, in fact, the republican party,
which lost the North last fall appears now
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doubtless Republican politicians who will re-
gard this result as evidence that the people
have returned willingly to the republican
side; that they condone the offences Of the
party, and that, in short, the next election is
safe.
We believe such persons are very greatly
mistaken. The first and most important re-
suit of the recent elections is that they have
crushed out the imitation movement. Moth
ing is clearer than that the people will not
| have this. Initiation, apparently SO grave
danger, has been beaten in Pennsylvania by
even greater majority than in Ohio. 1t is
no longer possible political issue. 1t is in
conceivable that the democratic party should
be foolish enough to take it up or tolerate it
i
which the republican leaders began this fall
to count as their most important card is
/ worthless. Resumption seemed likely to
be their heaviest trump it is no longer Of
! the least value in the game.
4 1t follows that they must look elsewhere
for a cry, an issue to bring before the people.
/ The fall elections have, in fact, done more
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lican, for they have probably given the pre-
dominance among the democrats to their
ablest and wisest leaders, while they have
cut from under the republicans the favorable
ground on which they had expected to fight
their battle next year. They are compelled
to seek new position, and in doing 50 there
is very grave danger that they will blunder.
1t is always more difficult for party in
power than for minority to rise above its
old record, to cast out its dangerous and self
ish elements and to initiate genuine re-
forms. This is because the reformers in
4 party which possesses power are likely to
be out Of favor with the controlling elements;
their efforts are at once resisted by those who
hold power and who are necessarily opposed
to reforms, else they would make them with
out compulsion. The republican party is now
what the democratic party became during
the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan.
It is strongly coherent force, whose rulers
have great deal at stake, which they fear to
lose by such changes as we call reform"
1t is body which has great momentum, but
only in single direction. To change the di-
rection or the purpose Of such a mass involves
the sacrifice Of multitude Of subordinate
agents. and the resistance Of these minor
forces is almost always too great to be over
come Hence the imitation outbreak among