The New York herald., 1877-01-09
The Eighth OF January Demo stra-
tiOns.

was Wluely ceieoIuteu vestcruay ny VIC "ein-
ocratic party in somewhat unusual manner.
Among the features of the day were demo-
cratic State convention in Ohio, demo-
cratic State convention in Indiana, a demo-
cratic mass meeting in Washington, and ad-
dresses from the Democratic State commit
and Colorado These demonstrations
were but incidentally mark of
respect to the memory of the hero of New
Orleans. Their paramount object was to
assert the election Of Mr.. Tilden and de-
nounce attempts to prevent his inahgura-
tion We accordingly think that their ten
dency is mischievous. Party feeling does
not need to be stimulated, but to be calmed
In this grave conjunctrre party appeals
should be discountenanced as tending to
provoke partisanship on the other side
We shall find deliverance from the present
dangerous complication only by rising
above the murky atmosphere OF party
politics and contending for nothing but
strict justice and conformity to law.
There is nothing to be said against hold
ing public meetings in this crisis, but II
they are held at all they should be non-par-
tisan. They should resemble the New York
memorial presented to the Senate the other
day by Mr.. Conkling in such beitting Ian
guage. That memorial was signed by citi-
zens Of weight and prominence in both po-
litical parties. and contained nothing to
which men of either party might not
assent without compromising their party
standing After the warm encomiums
passed on that admirable memorial by tho
democratic press and the praise bestowed
on Senator Conkling's wise and decorous
speech the democratic party is not consist
ent in holding large partisan meetings con-
ceived in so different spirit. The only
rational demand which public sentiment
can now make is a demand that both parties
in Congress shall treat this whole subject
in judicial temper, and, like the
image Of Justice with which we
adorn our court houses, shall hold
the balance with eyes bandaged to
every consideration except the real merits
of the controversy. Great party demonstra-
tions 40 not foster this spirit, and are
therefore unreasonable and out OF place.
The celebration Of battle in this juncture
conveys a military suggestion, but it has no
military significance. 1t has been regular
democratic custom in the most peaceful
times to commemorate the battle of New
Orleans as personal tribute to General
jackson, although that victory was among
the smallest of his public services. But
the Sth Of January has never been cele-
brated, except by democrats, and the selec-
ton Of that day for these public meetings
stamps them with partisan character If
the democrats had marked the day in their
customary manner with only a commemcra-
tive purpose their conduct would not have
been open to criticism, for the victory at
New Orleans was one Of the most remark
able in our history. An inexperienced
militia general, leading raw recruits fresh
from the plough, encountered British veter-
ans commanded by officers who had served
in the campaigns of Wellington, and achieved
n victory unparalleled for disparity of loss.
Jackson lost only six privates killed and
seven wounded, but on the British side the
three generals highest in command fell, with
many other officers, and the total British
loss was seven hundred killed, fourteen
hundred wounded and five hundred prison
ers. It was fought after the treaty Of peace
had been signed at Ghent, but it caused the
war to end on our side in blaze of renown.
Yet the practice of celebrating it having
always been confined to the democratic
party different day would have been more
appropriate for grand appeal to justice
irrespective of partisan distinctions
There is, however, another part of Jack
sons career which democrats might profit
ably recall on this occasion. We refer to
his defeat the first time he ran for the Presi-
dency and the great vnlue of that defeat tc
the democratic party. In 1924 he had
ninety-nine votes in the Electoral Colleges,
and his highest competitor, John Quincy
Adams, had only eighty-four. The election
was thrown into the House Of Repre-
sentatives, where the main contest
was between Jackson and Adams
and Adams was elected, in seeming
disregard of the democratic principle thai
the preference of the people ought to bt
respected and that the candidate receiving
the largest number of their votes has tho
best title to the office. The democratic
party of that day submitted to the consti
tutional result and bided their time. TIL,
most fortunate thing that could have hap
pened to Jackson was his defeat after re
ceiving the highest number of votes. Thi
seeming violation of popular principles wa
handled with such skill by his supporter
during the ensuing four years tina
they easily elected him on the mex
trial by an immense majority, Jackson re
ceiving in 1898 more than twice as man,
electoral votes as his opponent, the figures
] being one hundred and sevonty-eight fo