The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-03-27
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.
ENGLISH OPINION OF THE POLITICIANS PUzzIy
FOR CANDIDATE-THR HEALTHY CoRREC.
TIVE OF FREE PRESS.

ENGLISH OPINION OF THE POLITICIANS PUzzIy
FOR cANDIDATE-THR HEALTHY ooRREo.
TIVE OF FREE PRESS.
From the London Times, March l3l
The politicians OF the United States n state Of
bcwderment which is amusing than interest
ing 1t is necessary that they should do something,
and they do not know what IL behooves them do 1t
is necessary that they should choose champion
under whose they may night in the coming
Presidential campaign, and they do not in the least
know whom they should select We are conscious
that in thus describing American politics we uss
phrases which very liable to be misunderstood
We speak f the pullers OF the opposing parties
were seriously perplexed in discovering the paths
public duty requires them to pursue, and werc
looking about for n teacher should instruct
them how to promote the good OF their country.
No considerations could be foreign 10 their
deliberations. Duty has nothing TO do with the
matter Whether republican or democrat, IL mat
tiers not-.hc object OF inquiry with the leaders
OF both parties Is not how the welfare OF the Re
public Of which they arc all citizens shall be pro-
NOTED, but how the victory OF the special combination
shall be attained AT the close OF this year the battle
be fought upon the issue OF which depends tho
patronage and power OF four subsequent years How
TO secure this great reward OF eecloneering skill 10
the problem every where agitated. The determination
ultimately depends upon the votes OF sundry millions
citizens scattered throughout the OF the fed
GRAFTON, and 1t thus becomes n momentous practical
problem how these honest men shall be persuaded
We have already mentioned how tho demo-
Gratis framing financial 'plank' 10 please every
body, or, IN other words are deysing resolution 30
absolutely meaningless that may be accepted by
those who desire n resumption OF specie payments
equally those who call for Initiation OF the
listing inconverbe currency. The republicans are
behind their rivals trying TO be ali things 10 all
men, They eschew the dangerous plan Of formulating
lines of national policy and they try to win strength
by parading variety OF candidates lifted for every
taste. They hope TO keep their mon together
by dangling before them half dozen iayor.
ties Tor the Presidency. There is Mr. Conkling
who would keep up tho traditions of General
Grant, and there arc probably many ofice-holdcra
throughout the Union ready 10 work for General
Grants friend, IL the General himself has chance
There Mr. Blame to attract tho attention oil
Down Casters and Mr.. Morton to amuso the young
giants OF the West There is Mr.. Brstow and there
Mr.. Fish with official experience Mr. Washburne from
Paris, and General Sherman. Of military renown, any
one OF whom might serve as well as another run
the occupancy oil the White House. II being well under
stood that OF them will have to do thing except
live decent lifc aud distribute Offices as Senator'S and
wire pullcrs may suggest. The selection may appear
large, but there will DO many independent republican,
who want OF them, and yet will ind themselvei
helpless ms independent republicans did 10 1874
when they hoped they we're gong 10 cmancipate ths
political life OF tho Union and ended In dong nothing
beyond proving their weakness
The immediate prospect IN the United States Is moi
cheerful The mass OF honest citizens are yrapnizee
over by The political machinery they have inherited,
and which they have not the heart to ovcrturn They
find they do nothing unless they put their hands
TO turn the particular cranks which are prepared foi
them; but ii they submit TO accept these predcstncd
functions they become the servants OF taskmasters oI
whose characters they have respect and whose
tory they despise The political machinery OF the
Union may almost be said TO have been devised 10
duce the OF the people 10 impotence and 10 give
power TO those who have learned the trick OF manipu
lating IL so as to mako money by It's use. We cannot
wonder that there should DO meu who ask whether
the forms OF the constitution were planned for the
well governing OF the people for tho reward OF pro-
fessonal politicians and who retire altogether from
exercise OF functions which impose Of RESPONSE
biy without power The abstention Of citizens IN the
United States from public duties cannot be regarded
surprising, and can scarcely be condemned when we
understand the powercssncss OF tho ndv dua citizen
in the midst Of the political combinations which sur
round HIM. Personal independence is crushed out and
n there free literature to check end modify
the repressvencss OF party machinery political life
would be reduced TO stagnation