The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-01-16

feforrn Is not bad thing because Gov
Tildet rides II out OF breath In pursuit
the Presidency, nor Is nof-sectarian
education u bad thing because Mr..
Blaine has adroitly slipped into the
saddle In the place Of him who brought
out the stecd and whether the forcible
pacification OF Cuba, rs proposed by
President Grant, Is bad thing depends
on It's success and cost.
1t Is quite possible that all these
Presidential steeds will unhorse their
riders. Governor Tilden has made so
many Dem ocratic enemies that his con-
troll OF the State Convention for appoint
ing Presidential delegates Is more than
doubtful; the report that Mr.. Blaine
was bred Catholic throws an exquisite
air Of ridicule over his new born zeal TO
cut out President Grant on the religious
question and II is altogether probable
to shake the tree OF war somebody else
will gather the fruit. What Mr.. Blaine
has done for him respecting the school
question some victorious general or
admiral might also do for him in rela-
ton to Cuba. It Is hazardous game to
play from motives OF personal ambition.
The Democratic party played SINH
lar game thirty years ago In the Mexi-
can war, and lost. Although that war
was successful and brilliant career
OF victories without m important re-
yorse,the, Democratic party. was de-
feated In the next Presidential election.
A popular Wing general carried of the
prize. Even a successful war does not
necessarily aid the political purity that
begins It,, but an unsuccessful war Is
necessarily fatal. We suppose nobody
doubts the ultimate result Of q
war with Spain, but the chances
are more than even that we should
encounter humiliating checks in it's
early stages, and ~ tide Of discomfort
would Set In against the Administra-
ton. Ii we had had IN election In the
autumn Of 1861, after the Bull Run dis
aster in the preceding summer. with
President Lincoln as the Republican
candidate, IL would have resulted In q
political Bull Run for him and his
party. II President Grant forces the
country into u war with Spain during
the coming spring, and the campaign
should open with reverses, the Rcpubli-
can party would be past praying Tor in
the Presidential election,
1t rs altogether probable that, in q war
about Cuba, the first successes would be
on the side OF the Spahiards. Spain Is
tary and naval She has been dealing
for several years with formidable re-,
belllon on the Peninsula and another
formidable rebellion In Cuba, which
have brought her ornaments to the
highest point Of efficiency warranted
by her financial condition. Our own
preparations for war are yet to be
made, and 1t is u work which REQUIRES
time and effort. We cannot increase
either our naval or our military force
until wal. shall have been de-
clarcd, and Spain would accordingly
have every advantage OF us at the 81.
ginning OF hostilities. She would be- NJ
tho maximum Of her strength ut a time
when our ornaments wore yet to be
created. In the course Of SIX or eight
months wo could become it,tiuitely her
superior both on land and ut sea. but
meanwhile, taking advantage OF our
transient weakness and want OF pre-
Spain might strike sudden
and effective blows which would bo n
severe shock to our national pride. INC
chances would be altogether against ms
In the earlier months Of the contest
and during these earlier and unsuecess,
full months the Presidential canvaas
would be virtually decided. and Of
course, decided against General Grant
4 he should be the Republican can.
didatc. Herald, ~"