Year: 1869

The two great political parties OF the State
have held their nominating conventions and
presented their State tickets with their ''plat-
form Of principles" to the people. From the
holding of these conventions dates the opening
Of the campaign, and upon the policy adopted
or recommended on party, State and national
questions, as set forth in said platforms, each
party must stand or fall. 1t is q point gained
by that party whose convention does not come
off till after that Of its opponents, when the
latter will have declared its policy and recorded
its pledge to stand by it at all hazards. The
republicans have had this advantage, and,
it must be admitted, profted by it, They saw
the weak points in the democratic platform
and they strengthened their own accordingly.
On the principal questions, on which the
democracy Of the Empire State and of the
country at large has heretofore plumed itself
as being ahead Of all other parties and leading
the way, the democratic convention Jagged
behind and the republicans Immediately took
the foremost place. This was with regard
to the resolutions on the policy Of
the government with foreign Powers,
touching the protection to be extended by the
United States to all citizens Of the Union,
whether native born or naturalized, and
whether, once naturalized, living under
the Stars and Stripes or under
foreign flag for the time being. On this
question the resolution of the republican con-
vention was emphatic and decided, while that
of the democrats was maundering and weak.
On the Cuban question: the granting of bel
ligerent rights and annexation, the republican
fooling and sentiment was outspoken and had
ring about it that found an echo in the hearts Of
the people everywhere. The democratic reso-
luton on the same point lacked the old spirit
OF the party and read with disappoint-
ment by its most devoted adherents


There were other questions of vital impor-
tance, with regard to which the democratic
party has been SO long at sea that it was not
surprising it could not or would not act judi
ciously or patriotically. These referred more
particularly to the payment of the national
debt, the ratification of the fifteenth amend
ment and negro suffrage. There was the usual
beating about the bush, an attempt to gal
vanize exploded doctrines and revive defunct
issues manifested in the wording of the demo-
cratic resolutions, while those of the republi-
can convention came squarely to the point
and placed the party in its policy on the side
of the government and of the country


On these diverse platforms of principles"
both parties enter on the November campaign
and invoke the verdict of the people of the
State. The issues in controversy are not, of
course, very vital, but, in view Of the CAM
paign which is to follow, and from the fact
that great deal of interest is attached to the
result of the coming elections in Ohio, Penn
sylvana and other States, there is little doubt
but very large vote will be polled in this
State.


In the city the whole political hive is in q
tumult The Offices are numerous and the
candidates more so. The harvest is nearly
ripe and there is no dearth of reapers but Of
all who are in the field how few will be per-
mitted to gather Of the harvest We give in
another column review of the state of politi-
cal feeling, the combinations, present and pros
pective, the strategy of the leaders, the Offices
to be filed, the candidates seeking nomination
and a general and comprehensive statement Of
the present attitude Of the contending par ties


TIE NEUTRALITY OF ENGLAND in the case of
the Alabama has shown the Cubans exactly
how to manage affairs with the Hornet, and
they have bettered the instruction.


ANOTHER TERRIBLE WARNING-That of the
late disastrous boiler explosion at the India
napos State Fair The cause, no doubt, was
neggence-an offence which neglected steam
is sure to punish. When will all parties
responsible for the safety of steam boilers be
brought to understand the awful crime of neg
n