The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-03
Two Conspiracies.

Two Conspiracies.
There are many points OF dlssimilarity
between the conspiracy Of the Republican
thlrd-termers In 1880 and the conspiracy OF
the Democratic third-termers In 1892. But
In the attendant disaster which overlook
the former. and awaits the latter. there
would appear to be no difference at all.
The former will probably. in future years.
be acknowledged as the moro dangerous
movement of the two because it was un-
dcrtakcn with larger prospect Of success
the latter will be deemed less dcfensible.
because at greater variance with the longer
traditions OF the Democracy. and because
It is in its inception. without tho excuse OF
political exigency, or party or popular de-
mand.
The Republican conspiracy OF 1880 was
directed against the unwrittcn law Of the
republic regarding a third term. Tho party
for whose benefit it was undertaken favored
the proceeding, and had much reason to
favor it, Whatever other faults and dclin-
qWcncics could be charged against the GRANT
Administration. disregard for tho claims Of
faithful party servants was clearly not one
In its appointments and IN its retention
OF unblushing offenders. tho Republican
Administration ,;.>s5.y outraged the moral
sense of tho people: but. willie this course
had impaired the Republican position. it
had knit closer the allegiance OF the ever
faithful workers OF the party. To the Ad-
ministrution OF President GRANT. thus dis
tinguishetl, succeeded tho frail and fraudu-
lent HAYES. and with him came series
OF surrendcrs which disappointed and
xl~o aid
honors and offices HAYES paid off those
who had assisted in the theft OF the
Presidency. and rewarded by whole
sale the renegade Democrats and hyp-
ocritical Mugwumps who had served him.
An Administration OF self acknowledged
and publicly proclaimed false pretences
soon undermined tho allegiance of stall
wart Republicans. and under these circum-
stances the revusion in favor OF restoring
the former Republican President. world
renowned in his warlikc achievements. was
natural enough. Therefore CoNKLING.
CAMERON. and LOGAN. the third-term tri-
umviratc. representing three great States.
were backed by n strong popular support
among the runk-and-tile Republicans in
advocating tho denomination of Gen.
GRANT. But tho unwrittcn law of the land
thanks in great measure to the vigor and
judgment OF JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE. as
serted itself and was needed. and there was
an end. on tho Republican side. at least. OF
efforts to set up a third-tcrm President.
The present conspiracy to foist, for the
third time. and the third time consccutivcly,
too. an Objectionable and unpopular candi-
datc upon the Democracy. strongly pledged
and committed against u third term. cmn-
mates not from the great body Of the party,
as In the case of tho Republicans. but from
q handful of malc6ntents. as much dis
credited, every one Of them. rs is the chief
whose cause they endeavor to uphold. The
CLEVELAND Administration did not err like
that Of Gen GRANT. in being too strongly
partisan. Many of it's appointments were
unwise and iniudicious. and in the Northern
States. and more especially in those which
are naturally Republican. or which. like
New York. had no Senatorial representa-
tive. errors OF selection were so many
that disappointments We're tho in
evltable result. 1t is but fair to say
that In the Southern States. repre-
scented in the Senate by such able and
trustworthy Democrats as GORMAN OF
Maryland. VEST OF Missouri. HARRIS of
VANCE OF North Carolina. the Federal posts
were filled with fair regard for the wishes
OF local Democrats. and generally credit
able record was made for the party. But
the doubtful aud decisive States are in the
North. not in the South; and when in 1888
the Democratic Administration came to be
Edged by the people. its manifold and anti
Democratic errors In appointments. oper-
sted to its disadvantage and aided In it's
overthrow. Where the ofIlceholders Of the
CLEVELAND Administration were men OF
local influence and good Democratic
standing. they continued. after 1888.
to attach themselves to the party organ
isstion. being Democrats first and public
officers afterward. Where. however, as
was the case In too many instances. they
represented nothing and nobody. and were.
In fact. mere political cast-offs discredited
In their immediate neighborhoods, and
source OF weakness to the party.
nothing remained for them but to seek.
IS they now seek. and more especially
IN Republican States. to secure reippoint-
ment at any selfish sacrifice of the rights
anu wishes OF the Democracy. That is
what they are cndcavorlng to do. and. we
are glad to say. with II very poor prospect
OF success.
Political revolutions go forward not
backward. Disappointed in a candidate.
the Democracy seeks elsewhere In the an
preaching election leader OF different at
tributes and qualities. 1t looks this year for