Year: 1868

Iution-Chase versus Grant.


On the threshold Of Presidential conflict
the groupings of the political parties and fac
tons concerned are always an interesting
study. They were particularly attractive to
the historian of passing events in 1860, in all
the developments Of that tremendous internal
convulsion which rent the old democratic party
into fragments and which, in precpitating the
South into rebellion, brought about, with the
abolition of African slavery, the greatest and
most momentous political revolution of modern
times Hardly less remarkable, however,
than those preliminary party movements of
1860, foreshadowing the revolution since
accomplished, are the signs and symptoms of
the approaching counter revolution against the
party now in power. We have only to look
about us for a moment to be convinced that
the elements of another great change have
increased, are increasing and are rapidly
coming together


The dominant party is in the field under the
banner of General Grant, the leading soldier
of the war and strong candidate. The oppo-
sition forces are all looking for rescue to the
approaching Democratic Convention. and all
their journals aud politicians and all the repub-
lican organs, of all stripes and colors, are
actively discussing the chances of the demo
cratic nomination. Never has there been 30
much general interest manifested by men Of
all parties in any democratic convention as in
! that which is to assemble on the Fourth Of
July. And wherefore! II is because inteli-
! gent men of all shades Of opinion are impressed
more or less with these ideas-,hat the
public mind is uneasy under the pres
sure Of radical fanatcism. that the people are
ready for change of rulers and that this
| Democratic Convention has the game within
| its grasp The active, cohesive and powerful
party which carried the country through the
war has fallen into the hands of a faction of
Jacobins as self-conceited as they are incom-
peent TO administer the government according
to the landmarks of the constitution and
the requirements of a peace establishment.
Through these Jacobin leaders the republican
party itself has become demoralized, and the
disafectons among the rank and file are con-
tinuaiy cropping out even among the radicals
of Congress.


The legislation of this radical Congress is
bringing forth its bitter fruits II has reduced
the government to muddle which no man can
understand, TO ENHANCEMENT of which we can
find neither head nor tail, beginning nor ending.
The revenue laws have diminished and are
still decreasing our sources OF revenue, while
spoliations upon the Treasury in every shape
and form by rings OF robbers have extended from
a few thousands to many millions Of money.
The laws cannot be enforced the President is
, powerless over his subordinates; corrupt Off
Cials and their confederates may snap their
fingers at him. They can he reached only by
the courts and the Penitentiary or State
Prison-a tedious process The President Is
bound hand and foot by q radical Senate.
Stealing, with the catching of a rogue here
aud there. prevails on every hand, and hon
esty in the public service is at q discount.
The whole financial system Of the government
| is menaced with decentralization, robbery,
wreck and ruin, and the radical blunderers of
| Congress in attempting to repair damages
| only run into other blunders. In these en-
barrassments OF their own making they are
turning upon each other. Schenck, who at
Vienna ran a railway train into rebel am
! buscade, pounces upon Butler, who, after
taking lawyers inspection of Fort Fisher,
gave II up as hopeless case On the
finances. however Butler is too much for
Schenck; but still, it may be properly asked,


"Who shall decide when such doctors disa-
greet" For all this catalogue of financial dis


orders, corrupting the whole body polite and


drifting US % 10 bankruptcy AMI reputation,