The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-05
The Aspects OF the Canvass-Thc
Opportunities and Pcrils OF tho
DemOc ratio Party.

Opportunities and Pcriis OF tho
Democratic Party.
We could wish for many reasons that the
vass for the Presidency for, while we do
not believe in the dishonesty Of parties as
organizations, we think that the radical
change that would thus come would be a
benefit We say we do not believe in the
dishonesty of parties as such, because men
are honest and dishonest from other than
political reasons. We have no doubt that
there are as many rogues in one party as the
other The rogues generally keep them
selves in line with the party that is in power.
If there was a chance of democratic success
We should find the whiskey and Indian
thieves shifting ground with precision and
energy. But the country demands just such
a change as would be seen in the event Of
the accession of n new party to power. As
matters now stand there is chance of the
democratic party winning. We say chance,
for we have never believed in the vitality OF
the ''tidal wave" as it was called, of last
year. A 'tidal wave" in politics in any
other than the Presidential year is not to be
relied upon. We had a tidal wave during
the war, in the year when Seymour was
elected Governor and when Indiana and
Pennsylvania swung around under the demo-
cratic banner against the administration
Of Mr. Lincoln. 1t looked for time as if
the war was to be paralyzed by the success
Of the democratic party in the great States
of the North. But the next year the repub-
licans recovered their power, and they have
kept it ever since, excepting the defeat OF
last year. AS we showed at the time that
defeat might become a warning to the repub-
licans, which they might utilize for a fur
ther victory. The republican party has this
immense advantage-it is the party of the
war, the party around which clusters the
brightest memories of tho generation. 1t is
q party Of sentiment, formed by the enthu-
siasm of the young men who fought for the
Union. 1t is party of noble achievements.
We owe to it largely emancipation and the
preservation of the Union. 1t has given US
some Of the noblest names in our history.
More than all, it has the prestige and
discipline of power. In any canvass
such party enters the fight with
hundred advantages in its favor.
Therefore our democratic friends, if they
mean to win this government at the next
election, must not count on an easy victory.
The strength of the republican party was
never shown SO clearly rs in the vote of New
Hampshire after the exposure of Belknap.
That extraordinary and humiliating event,
covering, as it did, the whole administration
with shame, did not affect the republican
vote in this most intelligent State. 1t may
be, and perhaps it is, the wisest plan to limit
the democratic canvass to the one question
of reform in the government" But we
question if a cry like this will satisfy the
country any more than the sentimental plat
form of Bell and Everett, in 1860 which en-
bodied ''the Union, the constitution and the
enforcement of the laws" There could be
no more romantic platform, but the country
wanted something it could bite, and SO it
canvass-a terrible meaning, also-as events
proved. If the opponents of Lincoln had
united upon some tangible platform it is
possible that the war might have been
averted and the Union as it was preserved.
Without dwelling upon that painful and
dreary speculation there is this lesson to be
learned-the democrats must go before
the country with platform that does
not ignore the active sentiment of the
country, and tho country was never more
active in political discussion than now.
The questions which the advocates of
very questions which the country will decide
in the election of President. First, we
have the South. This is tremendous issue
and cannot be overlooked. What are we
going TO do with the South? Are we to
allow it to pass into the hands of thieves
OF men on the other who, having seen the
negro emancipated, mean to reduce him into
state of political slavery? Then as 10 the
finances What are we to do with our credit,
our currency and our revenues? Is the
democracy to speak on that question with
the voice Of Tilden or with the voice OF
Allen? We have the school and church
question. We believe that sensible men ON
both sides feel that this should have no
place in our politics. But sensible men do
not make Presidents. The question is in
our politics, and we must notice it.
These are questions which the democrats
must meet at the next canvass. 1t is mis-
take to allow any controversy to spring up
in Congress that will prevent the wise men
Of the party taking patriotic ground on them
all. Look at the blunder in attacking the
war record of Governor Morton. of Indiana.
There is not child in the public schools old
enough to read who does not know about
that record, and how brilliant and brave. 1t
was. Yet the democrats invite from Morton
one Of the most conclusive and damaging
Ia