Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-04-03
SENSATIONAL POLITICS.

rent with that large class of voters who
allow others to do their thinking for them
and accept reiteration for proof. This
style OF politics was inaugurated in the
days when Democracy, from its alliance
with treason, became stencil in the nos
trils of the people, and had its foundation
in the desire to distract pubic attention
from their own treacherous acts by set
ting up certain imaginary evils, which
were sure to fall upon the people if their
counses were not hearkened to. This
line proved very profitable one to follow
for while with one Class of voters it
appealed directly to some prejudices, or
interests, with another and more quiet class
whose fault may be said to have been
that they looked upon any change from
the established custom as undesirable
and preferred, like Shakcspeare's hero, to
bear the ills they had rather than fly to
those they knew not of. Rather than let
loose the Pandora's box of evils which
Democracy held up as in store in case Of
renewed Republican triumphs, they have
permitted matters to go by default, and
proved the old adage that "a lie well
stuck to is as good as the truth" We
had supposed this lead to be Gin mining
parance) pretty well ''worked OUT" but
the past years elections show that the
power of sensationalism is still great, if
rightly maraged. Nothing proves this
more concusively than to watch the eff
feet produced by the cry of Cesarism"
and "Thrd Term" in connection with
President Grant. When this stupid cry
vas first rung out by the New York
Herdtd, its very Righteousness sealed the
| Ii ps Of the Republicans. If it had been
gr6vely asserted that Grant as President,
contemplated the annexation of Central
Africa to the dom inions of the Republic it
could not have been more silly. But it
was taken up by the Democratic and In
dependent press aud gravely pressed upon
public attention until some people began
to believe that there really might be
something in it. And it was in vain that
the Republican press and leaders dis
claimed all fellowship with such a prin-
cipe. Simply because the President did
not go out of his course to disclaim the
intentions attributed to him, was held as
additional proof that his real aims had
been correctly guessed. But it must be
borne in mind that tie President has
never uttered word indicating that he
had desire to reach greater honor than
any sought by the fathers Of the Republic.
Everything alleged in connection with
this sensational cry has been the pure
imaginings Of the common enemy
When the question was forced upon the
re pple, the Republican press, while treat
ing the subject as not worthy Of serious
consideration, showed itself unit in OPP
osition to any such innovation, should it
be attempted. While not denying TO
Grant the merit to which he is entitled
by his courage, his honesty, his sterling
good sense and unquestioned patriotism,
they have shown the temper Of the people
to be opposed to any movement which
might tend to lessen the true democratic
character of our institutions. That Presi-
dent Grant has not seen fit to put in
disclaimer to these senselesS cries, is, we
think, nothing to his d scrcdit. The
charge has not emanated from his polit-
zeal friends, but from those who have OPP
posed him on each and all occasions. 1t
springs from the sensational Democracy,
who have endeavored for twelve years
10 conceal the real issues by raising false
ones, and coming from that source, has
been treated with just the contempt it de-
serves.
The country has had enough of this
style OF politics, and it is now about
time it was shorn Of its power for evil.
And we belieye such 10 be the case. Re-
publicans haye scorned to resort to bum
GOmbe and clap-trap, and though they
may be losers by such course !or the
present, we do not question but it will be
for the party advantage in the end. New
Hampshire took a sensible course, and it
may be that TO secure otl e Stat it may
be necessary t. do Il e anne. Her State
Convention declared against third term
Tor President; but no Republican with
the brains of an owl, beloved it referred
to President Grant. 1t was simply an
expression Of Republican sentiment on
the question to which undue prominence
has been given. But it satisfied IA re-
quiremept, and no doubt had some infu-
ence in changing votes. But if every
State in the Union should declare as New
Hampshire has done, it would not affect
the sentiment Of the party in any manner
whatever, for the thinking part of the or
ganization knows that such declarations,
though expansive Of party sentiment, are
as unnecessary and meaningless as lam
guage can be made.