The New York herald., 1879-09-08
MASSACHUSETTS POLITICS.
Decay of the Republican Party
in the State.
DIFFICULTIES OF IT'S CANVASS.
Records of Its Rival Candidates and
Their Prospects.

|
| hot political atmosphere OF Boston brings very
vividly to mind the last time at the place.
| and revives memories which compel conviction
that there has been decay meanwhile in the politics
OF Massachus 1t was just seventeen years ago.
during the period of depression between McClean's
defeat before Richmond and the issue of the emanci
| patton proclamation. Some Of the elders OF the
Methodist denomination had represented to Mr..
Andrew. then Governor of the State. that d strong
"war speech" by him at their camp meeting was
desirable. and he came here to make it. I landed
from yacht ON which WAS q guest and wandered
| up to the camp ground to hear him. The meeting
hold in the centre of forest OF stunted oaks.
which now have been mostly cleared away to maze
! room for hotels and cottages. we'll remember the
marvellous influence Of that speech upon the emo
tional audience and the impression 1t produced Of
the unity sincerity and vieor of the party Of which
the speaker leader. In it he uttered phrase
which is frequently associated with his memory
81 never dared. sinner that ami never dared to
despise man because he was humble. because he
weak. because he was poor because he was
black"
SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO.
The republican party in Massachusetts at that
time was exposed to peril resembling in many
spects that which it is undergoing. All the dis
satisfied political elements in the State were Goa
lescing against it, with brave soldier, General De-
candidate for Governor. just at present they
coalescing under the command Of General Butler.
But the party far stronger and clearer then in
leadership, in discipline, in enthusiasm aud in sub
ordination Of minor differences Of opinion to the ad
vancemcnt of distinct principles. than 1t is now.
Massachusetts republicans were exercising q
manding influence in every branch Of the national
government the Presidents Cabinet. In the
Senate Wilson was chairman Of the Military Commit
tee and Sumner Of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
ons and in the House of Representatives the impor
positions ut tho hoad of the committees Of Ways
and Means, the Navy, Post Offices and Post Roads.
Claims and several more. were filed by Dawes Rice
Alley William B. Washburn. Eliot. Hooper and other
men Of long legislative experience and consummate
skill In the diplomatic service Adams at Lon
don Motley at Vienna and Burtngame at Pektn. A
Massachusetts, soldier. General Hooker. pressed
for tho command Of the Army of the Potomac. The
domestic affairs Of the State were administered by
Q republican Governor OF at least equal ability and
influence with any Of the others have named.
After only seventeen years Of all these re-
mains in public life except MIR. Dawes. Most Of
them dead. And the republican party of Massa-
chusetts has not developed many men competent to
fill their places. The opportunity for influence and
distinction also has been narrowed for such there
are by the withdrawal Of Congress from republican
control Since 1874 Massachusetts, has had no
craftsmanship of committee in the House
Of Representatives, and those her present
Senator'S have enjoyed. though comparatively
important. now have passed out Of their hands.
This decay OF her republican politics and politicians
from their former standard is the most material ad
vantage OF General Butler in the bold and spirited
enterprise In which he s engaged anew to seize the
government OF the State. Seventeen years ago he
was only among many Massachusetts, very
eminent in public life. He has survived these con-
temporaries, and being now by all odds the most
conspicuous political figure IN his State he enjoys
the benefits which pertain to unrivaled prom
inence.
TWO HATS FULL OF Bn1cxs.
In describing the canvass wrote yesterday that
his It is entirely personal and substan-
tal political principle yet is at stake for he s
ready to embrace discard almost any view Of
almost any question according to the expedcncy of
tho moment. and is awaiting the republican nomina-
tons in order TO adapt line attack to the char
acter of the candidates. have to add to-day that
the other side find the contest almost equally
personal. After earnest and extensive inquiries I
am not able to discover what the republican party
OF Massach usetts stands for this year op
position to General Butler 1t is pretty nearly
unanimous. to be sure. concerning questions OF
national finance put the General. "a at present ad-
vised will Dot introduce their discussion into the
years experience his present desire is TO
steer clear of framing an issue upon
others. He conscious that he excited the bitter
asperaton or many men OF property in 1873. with
some of the extreme COMMUNISTS theories to which
he lent countenance. such. for instance. rs the
., be OF OF ra
do not believe that he will repeat that kind OF blum
der. / doubt whether even q victory OF the green
hackers in the Maine election would induce him to
tender financial issue. although 1t would be q
very strong temptation. His plan Is 70 distract tho
republicans by dwelling their Inconsistencies and
ignoring his own and. unfortunately for them.
they very vulnerable on the score OF
consistency. In 1885, for example, they were
driven by stress of tho political weather into
passing resolutions demanding retrcnchment in
State salaries and expenditures and they elected
Governor over Dutier-Mr. Taibot-who is a very
honest and earnest man and has pursued pretty
rigorous policy of retrenchment with the co-opera
nf vof
suit OF this policy. though strictly In accordance
with those resolutions has created deep dissatsfac-
logslated out of Office cut down in their emolu-
ments. 1t is assorted and wonder. that this
IL the chief motive of Governor Tabots refusal to
be candidate for reelection. and. no doubt the
vexations it has caused him have combined with his
Which has induced his retirement. Now General
Butler will take occasion to donouncc this manifest
dissatisfaction as evidence OF republican hypocrisy
and Inconsistency. and just he will treat every
other question OF State administration with which
he has to deal, ignoring tho equal Inconsistencies
displayed by his own followers In tho Legislature
concerning the Same measures. and keeping con-
stanly upon the aggressive. and since great part
OF what he has say will be true. the republicans
will not reply to H. but will merely throw bricks
in return.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES..
Their choice a candidate Governor is agreed
to lie between tho present Lieutenant Governor.
Mr.. John ID. Long, Mr.. Horny l.. Pierce. and tho
fact after worry brief service in the
republican ranks should DO an aspirxnt tor the nom
ination with a lair chance OF success is one OF tho
signs OF that republican decay to which have al
ludcd. No dsrespect to Mr. Longs ability is
meant in saying this. but only an observation that
formerly tho party WAS 80 much more fully stocked
with leaders TINT 1t would not have bccn possible for
him to como rapidly to the front MIR. Long is q
native OF Buckhed. Mo-. and having boen graduated
ut Harvard College in 1851 must be about fortytwo
years old. II nominated and elected he will
be the youngest of all the Massac husctts
Governors except Everett anu Boutwell,. lie studied
law and established himself in Boston before 1861.
but took part III politics till 1872 when he u
partisan of Mr.. Greeley. 1 am told that he mani
tested no public spiiit during the civil war. and.
though not an opponent OF II, "indiiferent."
In 1873 and 1874 ne was an unsuccessful candidate
tor the Legislature on the democratic ticket. In
1875 he elected to tho lower house from the
town OF bingham az republican, and Immediately
displayed capacity as "a fertile and nowery debater
nnd intclDgent ntudent of parliamentary rules