The New York herald., 1876-01-28


wearing of masks, statute which the Legis-
lature has recently had the kindly civility to
relax in favor of innocent gayety when the
managers of an entertainment can satisfy the
police authorities of their respectability and
procure from them dispensation suspend
ing the law in their favor for one designated
night Our amiable and indulgent Legisla-
ture resembles virtuous mother whose
gentle nature can forbid her children no
pleasant recreation SO long as it is pursued
under such mild restraints suffice to guard
| its innocence
Unfortunately, there is nothing corre-
spending to this motherly blending of strict
ness and indulgence in any authority en-
powered to watch over our national politics,
which are in the same condition as society
was in this metropolis before our good
maternal Legislature saw the necessity of
passing any law as to the wearing of masks.
When you are accosted by faultless elegance
of silk, lace and kids of exquisite fit, with
mask where nature intended face beaming
with innocence, you cannot know whether
you ought to reply with the respectful
courtesy due to a lady or with the freezing
curtness due to female whose sex is her
only title to exemption from ruder treat
ment Now, the wearing of masks in poll
ties is more Objectionable than in miscel-
laneous ball of unacquainted people. Where
all wear masks all stand on the same footing
! and each shares whatever advantage there
NAV be in concealment But masking in
politics is like wearing masks in the public
streets, where rogues incognito can ply their
vocation with every facility for selecting
their known victims.
On the virtuous maxim that all is fair in
war; love and politics. we dare say political
masks might be ingeniously defended, but
we have some doubts as to the moral beauty
of the maxim. AS to that form of political
masks known as secret societies we have
for some time been pretty clear in our iudg-
ment that they are not suited to our institp-
tions. We have accordingly done what we
could to tear the mask from Tammany Hall
and to lift it far enough from the new anti
Catholic secret order-whose existence came
to light by the publication of purloined let
J 3
try glimpse of the face concealed behind it,
There is new political mask in preparation
in the Southern States, made on a different
pattern and more ingeniously contrived to
look like real face, which we must also
attempt to lift for the qualification of the curl
ous although we take but slight interest in
the purpose for which it is worn.
to a new movement, whose headquarters are
in South Carolina for reconstructing the
republican party in the Southern States and
putting 1t on more honest basis. A truly
laudable aim if pursued in good faith Ex-
cepting in Mississippi and one or two other
States we doubt whether it is practicable
even if attempted with perfect singleness of
motive. The republican party in the South
ern States is controlled by the federal Off
GERS, and an attempt to take that control out
of their hands will prove futile SO long as
they are favored by President Grant and
supported by his influence. Both he and
Senator Morton discountenance the new
movement and hope to nip it in the bud
Against their joint opposition the utmost
success it could have would be to split
the republican party of the South, already
minority, and this is probably all that is
aimed at by those who are pulling the wires
to promote it. It's ultimate object is to create
an organization which will send contesting
delegations to the Republican National Con-
vention and thereby nullify the influence of
the South at Cincinnati.
This is a pretty desperate game to play,
but it would be an adroit way of foiling Gen
eral Grant and Senator Morton if it could
succeed. If General Grant should be can
didate he will start in the Convention with
the solid support of the Southern delegations
if he should not be q candidate Mr. Morton
is the regular heir apparent to the same adj
vantage Other candidates, who must de-
pend wholly on Northern support, could
play dexterous game if two sets of
delegates should claim admission from
each of the Southern States with a
sufficient color of regularity to present
prnd facie case for the contestants. The eff
feet would be to exclude the South from par
tic pating in the organization of the Conven-
ton The credentials of both sets of dele
gates would be referred to a committee which
could not be appointed until after the tenn
porary organization. The temporary presid-
ing officer would be chosen by the Northern
delegates, and would appoint committee on
credentials SO composed as to reject the
Grant or Morton delegates from the South
and admit their competitors in, every case
where there may be the show of pretext to
base such decision upon. Southern infu-
ence in the Convention being thus nullifed
the contest would be fought out between the
Northern supporters of the rival candidates.
We do not believe that this craftily masked
project can succeed but if it could succeed
it might strengthen the waning chances of