Year: 1865




eUWRNoR FENTONs OPPORTUNITY.


&c, &c., &c.
OR Saratoga Syringe Correspondence.


SARATOGA spRISos, July II, 1885


Yeur readers viii no doubt consider this q singular
p,s 70 ascertain the mysteries and movements Of the
Ds6sicians 10 generally supposed that fancy dress
Ds fashions and fashionable gossip and horse racing
orm the staple conversation here and monopoize tho
uaenton Of all who congregate at this point during the
heated term But We living in revolutionary
snnee and the public must not be surprised at anything
which may UP. There are and have been numerous
parsies here claiming be entitled, or less to the
appellaon of politicians The political affairs Of the
ssuntry and the probabilities Of the Of the diff
Ssrsnt parties have all been canvassed From the talk
have been able CLEAN facts in reference 70 the
aft of political affairs which worth recording One
thing Is certan-the politicians unable 70 decide
vhat where turn. Most Of them prefer TO rc


main SILENT In hopes that issues may be soon formed,
snd then they will be able to take sides.
1Aey, however, little dream that at least one party


Sands before the country with platform actually formed
= least with several planks clearly enunciated and
shat between that party and the policy Of the admin


aton the people Of the country will have to choose
y
Asceived the public in former contests but it repre-
ssnts large portion Of the republican party which they
Aspe control carry with them This point future
developments alone decide.


THE REBELLION POLITICAL PARTIES.


The firing upon Fort SUMTER 1t the commencement Of
sAe rebellion only inaugurated civil war; but broke
up the old political parties and ehectualy wiped out the
assuss which had for long time divided them. New
ysrty lines were thon drawn and formed The
~ sha Auidi
Inc Upon this question, with the many side discus
sons growing of personal points raised and the
Docy Of negro emancipation the parties went into the
yooent contess II Ia useless 10 add that the party upon
whose banners inscribed the motto Of unconditional
prosecution Of the war came out triumphant


NE personal issues raised and the efforts to
avert the OF the public from the great question
q ssake-the Of the Union by and through
ehe suppression Of the rebellion-faed to accomplish
sher object, and the party was successful But
with all the changes, political and party revolutions
which took place the opening Of the rebellion, IL was
soshng compared to the sweeping changes which the
Surrender OF rebel armies and the collapse Of the
bsion have brought upon the country. The complete
Usccess armies and the overthrow Of the last
Hge Of the rebellion have settled beyond any further
ssvl all the questions raised since the commencement
sf the war; and in fact prior to it. African slavery,
which had become almost the only political issue in the
country, has been settled finally and forever It has
therefore passed out of the political The question
sf State sovereignty overriding all claims Of the national
government the allegiance Of the citizen, has also
been decided and trust forever set at rest With
sbsse questions out of the way with no pos
ble chance TO revive either political issue, to
even trump up the famous Resolutions Of 9s which the
eeppcrhead democracy adopted their Bible during the
var, policy is opened. The great question with
she politicians great and small Is what will be the issues
and how will the party lines be drawn No class Of
completely nonpussed as the politicians are
under present condition OF political affairs They
are drifting about all directions the smaller lights fol-
lowing the wake OF the leaders and trying to ascertain
sheir Intentions and purposes The leaders are lodging
themselves 10 any policy take sides on any issue la
sbor the revolution in political afairs brought about by
tbe sudden overthrow OF the rebellion conspiracy has
caused such complete and absolute change, and has
some 70 sudden, that breaks upon the politicians with
all the glare Of at midnight What 10 do where to
turn questions which are receiving their most serious
consideration


OPENING or A NEW POLITICAL EPOCH


The history Of this cty furnishes no parallel to the
present state of parties Many writer's claim that
position analogous that which succeeded the Revo
dictionary war for our independence as nation The
country then had not been accustomed TO two wei organ
ned political parses There had been NO contests year
after year. between distinct political leaders There was
who foremost IN the hearts Of the people
and receiving their gratitude II required several years
70 raise an opposition of sufficient strength and power TO
make any beadway We have u Is true, come out Of
shis with all party lines and political parties oble
rated but we have party leaders who have for years
accustomed 20 the manipulation OF powerful poiti
cal organizations managed the machinery and attended
20 the party drill They have all this machinery still
intact and intend TO again In motion and under
the political II Is true everything politically
n Just chaotic state and the general disposition
n wit the development OF events and what will
turn up. Time rolling on and the day OF election


approaching The party leaders arc therefore, forced
70 look around and whittier matters are drifting
But In the great revolution which has taken place In
politics what this state county local politician will do
OF no account except far as he manifosts, by his
sourse thorough comprehension OF the questions OF
abe hour The effect Of thssmovemens OF this or that
party leader all depends upon his mode or handling the
live questions and the practical issues of the times
What Dean Richmond, Thurlow Weed, or Governor Fen
action 10 satisfy the desires Of the people in that par
SECULAR line. Men nothng-principles everything.


now THE ISSUES


President johnson, In defining his policy for the treat
meDt OF the Southern States has laid down bsoad and
distinct platform for great party Although this APP
pears plain, straightforward and satisfactory TO the
great OF the people, the party leaders In many
instances hestating and doubling 10 their proper
Chase, open opposition has been declared and warfare
commenced Thus, Mr. johnson In insisting upon
selecting bis appointments for provisional officers
for the Southern States from the residents OF
conquered territories, adopted policy In direct oppos
tfoD TO the extreme class OF OF whom Justice Chase
Ale representative This class Of men therefore,
determined 10 form new party. Now the dividing lines
they between any two contending political
arties In this country THIS fact the party politicians
90 not appear comprehend hence their effort 10 touch
everything as gngery as possible.


and In fact before he had appointed Pro-
<bs,ona Governor for any Of tho Southern Staes much
adopted instructions for them, Chief Justice Chase
had determined upon having party OF his own. He
Ine him that the had arrived TO organize party
and Mai they should ADOPT prominent feature In iH