The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-28

The "Machine" In Politics.
The real value of the Saratoga Convention
is the fact that the republicans in New York
have united. II Mr. Evarts had been nomi-
mated there might have been diversion
from the democratic party of that important
fraction of Indifferent or undecided voters
upon whom party allegiance rested easily,
and who would have rejoiced in voting for
man whose name and lineage recalled the
best days Of the Republic. This was an
amount Of self-sacrifce we could not expect
from the Convention. The machine which
nominated Morgan was not the machine
which would have nominated Cornell. 1t
was much more important machine in this,
that it had good deal more money, which
is a vital consideration in % canvass like the
present. but it was machine all the
same. The main point about Mr.. Nor
CANS selection is one of feiicitation that
there are men in the active and
responsible leadership of the republican
party who have the public and private vir-
tue of Governor Morgan, with a patriotic
devotion to the best interests of the country.
SO far as the machine in politics" is con-
cerned, although much is said against it, it
never had more recognition than now Gov
ernor Tilden was nominated because he was
the best machine politician in the demo-
cratic party. Governor Hayes was nomi-
mated because he was the best fitting candi-
date in the machine shop of the republicans.
Governor Morgan's selection was governed
by the same considerations, and the demo-
Gratis will not be insensible to cogs and
wheels and pulleys in a canvass when they
meet in their Convention to nominate Gov
ernor.
We dwell upon this point because, as far as
Is possible we would Danish from this can
vass all cant and false pretence. We have
never accepted the idea that the election of
Mr.. Tilden would bSa new apotheosis of re-
form. And although the ominous rumor
comes from Columbus that Boss Shepherd
tried to see Governor Hayes, and was re-
pulsed, the Boss will have proper recogni-
ton in the event of republican success.
Politics is as much of business as religion
or navigation. Religion is holiness, and
those who are truly devout spend much
time in meditation, prayer and praise.
But pew rents must be collected and cler-
gymen must be supported, and churches
must be built, and the Sheriff is as peremp-
tory with the altar as with the anvil, and
the machine" which attends to these minor
offices is as important to the development Of
true Christianity as the eloquence of the
priest or the piety of the devoted. So that
while one party may be inspired by the
sacred idea of reform and burns with the
hope that it will be allowed to enter the
temple and drive away the money-changers,
while the other party may be animated by
all the memories of the war, hatred of rebel
lion, protection to the negro and so on, some
one must pay the election bills. Reform
needs bands Of music, and the memories of
the war can only be kept alive, rs General
Fitzpatrick will testify, by liberal expen-
diture Of money. The machine in politics
has many useful offices which Mr.. Curtis,
Mr.. Choate and other reformers would dis
dain. Some one must peddle the tickets on
election day and carry torches at the mass
meetings. If the machine will not do it,
who will? Mr.. Curtis would never carry q
banner on Broadway, and Mr.. Choate would
plead large and increasing practice if he
were asked to 60 into precinct and work
voting booth.
There is good deal to be said in favor of
the machine in politics. 1t is not high
function, but the most useful offices are at
times the humblest. The general in COM
mand of the column, or the drum major at
the head Of the band, is a much more impos-
ing figure than the commissary and the
quartermaster who ride far in the rear in
some unpretending baggage wagon. 1t is
oil very well while marching along or
while the music is playing, but when nature
asserts itself and valor needs food and re-
pose the commissary and the quartermaster
assume commanding Importance. No one
ever hears wise general or skilled
drum major denounce the machine men of
the army, because, perhaps quartermaster
or commissary assumes. temporary i'm
portance. and puts on the airs of a field mar
shall. In politics if some faithful Custom
House weigher or storekeeper who has at
tended the primaries or tramped about in the
rain and snow and watched the polls, and
warmed the hearts of visiting statesmen by his
cheers; if some modest inspector of customs
little bit in wine should pose for states
man no wise politician will hold him up to
scorn. In his day of usefulness the machine
worker is a necessary power in politics The
republican saints make mistake to turn up
their noses at him, for the. machine man
works every day in the year-our reform
saints only in the harvest time, when con-
ventions are to be held and offices are to be
reaped.