The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-16
Signs of Breaking Up.

Signs of Breaking UP.
When recognized leader Of ability and
force like Gen. BUTLER formally withdraws
from the party with which he has been as
ISOLATED for seventeen years, 1t may be
described as political event OF moro
than ordinary significance, not only on ac-
count Of its personal relation, but In regard
TO the condition Of tho party itself No
single fact could better illustrate the un-
settled state of politics than this change
which, though not unexpected to those who
have watched the indications of the past
few years, is still calculated to make posi-
tive impression on the public mind.
Gen BUTLER has disagreed with the Re-
publicans in their policy as to the finances,
and other questions Of national moment
He has given no countcnancc TO the Great
Fraud, or toits champions and beneflciarics,
and he has boldly put himself at the head OF
the National movement, which may, in the
end exercise n larger influence on parties
than is now believed by the confident man
ayers of both sides, who would gladly COM
binc to crush it out, rs they are, in fact,
doing in Kentucky and other States.
II there was not discomfort in the public
mind. bred. of course, in part by the gem
cral distress. but also from dissatisfaction
with the selfish conduct Of the managers Of
both the old parties, there would be no room
for a new organization like that which now
by sort of natural law, and without any OF
the aids Of political machinery. Is crystal
LIKING In many States. and threatening mis-
chief to the politicians.
The Republican party has outlivcd its
usefulness, is rotten, corrupt, and broken by
internal discords and rival factions. The
Democratic party, which has grown in
strength rather by the vices and weakness
of its opponents than by any virtue OF its
own, has failed to fulfil the expectation OF
that powerful independent body Of men who
care nothing about the strifes and ambitions
of politics. but who seek honest and cconom-
zeal government, and mean TO have il, If
their votes can achieve that desirable end
They do not believe in Bourbonism on the
one side any more than in corruption on the
other.
When parties are In normal state, this
independent class hold the balance Of
power. They are usually patient and for
bearing, but when reused, their anger Is
terrible, as when, In 1874. II swept over the
country like a tornado, and sent venal Re-
publican House OF Representatives into dis
graced exile. Two years later 1t reduced
the great Democratic majority thus ac-
quircd down TO a nominal and almost uncer-
tain figure, subsequently increased by prac-
ticcs learned from their predecessors. and
more honored in the breach than in the Oh
scrvancc.
ina ,.,1a,
class described but in the main. having the
same faith for foundation, though taking
different external form of creed, have en-
tered the field and taken position as con-
testant for the prizes Of public life. They
have already made sufficient progress In
several States to draw Off from the Repub-
leans and the Democrats local leaders of
largo experience, who would never have
gone over without confidence as to their
success
An example like that Of Gen. BUTLER is
In the nature OF things, infectious. Thou
sands of Republicans. who despise the Fraud
ulcnt Administration and who are dissats-
fled with their leaders FOR not dlsowning it,
will find an excuse for following his stand
ard. Others, who regard his practical sa-
gacity rs exceptional, will believe that he
never would have cast his lot with the Ma
tlonals or Grccnbackers without being well
assured Of the future, and they will swell
the numbers largely and give increased
momentum to the movement
The work of disintcgration in the old par
ties is going on rapidly, wherever the Work
ingmcn and Greenbackcrs are united. or as
KEARNEY advises, have pooled their ISSUES
IL 10, la Il
shaped into national organization, will
necessarily depend upon the vote cast this
fall. All the accessions now are in its favor
but before il can take any real hold on the
public mind there must be some distinct
declaration Of principles, and something to
offer better than what may be expected from
Democrats or Republicans. A party cannot
be founded on mere invectvc