Year: 1874

IS IT a LIVE loOCEF


Let whoever doubts all the evidence that
has been cited hitherto with reference to the
probabilities of third term for Grant con-
slider for a moment whether, in view of the
plausible presentation of the arguments for it
in various Administration organs, the con-
tinued silence of the President when it has
been thrust under his notice and observation.
and the action that has been taken by politi-
cal cODventions-notably the Republican Con-
vention Of South CarOlina-it is not very
safe and polite thing for the New-York Re-
publicans to do to speak out frankly and
squarely upon the subject. If it is q specter
that disturbs the popular fancy, say "Shoo"
to it; if it is real terror, throttle it here and
now for the country's and the party's sake.


Let whoever thinks that, Notwithstanding so
many conventions have considered it of
sufficient importance to pass resolutions about.
there Is still nothing in it, that it is too absurd
to be noticed, consider a moment how Presi-
dents are nominated. What is the process
and what the potential elements in it2 A
convention of delegates from all the States
makes the nomination. Who appoint these
delegatesf Still other conventions State or
Congressional. And who the delegates to
these1 The people in their primary capacity
in the caucus. Having now reached the foun-
tain and source of this President-making
power, so many removes from the point of
nomination and with so many intervening
delegations of power that not one person In
thousand ever establishes in his thought any
relation whatever between his vote in the
caucus and his preference for the Presidency,
consider who make and control the caucus;
who, sitting quietly by, undemonstrative and
apparently Indifferent to the result, have
arranged the whole business so that
there will be no jarring or friction,
or anything but smoothness and harmony
and the choice of the delegates agreed ON
beforehand. Always before the caucus or
primary meeting few men get together,
make its programme, lay out its work. and
select the delegates to be chosen. Those little
knots of men make Presidents. Who are
they = Why who should they be but the men
who make politics business, and are main
tanned in Office by the party whose machinery
they manage and whose local concerns they
directf Somebody must " fix things" before
hand your primary would otherwise be mob.
These men do it naturally. 1t is right in
their line. 1t is quiet line; there is no blus
ter or fuss about it, and only in exceptional
cases anything that seems like dictation. The
nice respectable persons who deposit ballots
for the delegates think they are making their
own choice. In reality they are ratifying the
action of the little knot of people who a short
time before, in the Post-0lfice or Custom
house or Internal Revenue Collectors Office,
"fixed things" Remember that under the
e
that has grown up since 1861 there are Federal
offceholders in almost every Ward and School
district in the country; that each one of these
is connected by ties of mutual interest with
others holding Office under the same party
from the State, county, city or town, and
that their business interests in perDetuating
their own party in power and their own occu-
patton of Office are essentially identical.
They work together. Each has his sphere of
influence, his personal following. 1t is a com
bination against which it is difficult for others
to combine, and almost impossible to make a
successful contest.


Here then in every voting district is a
gangion of powerful political influences, con-
trolling all the ways that lead to National
Convention, and each depending on Executive
favor. They are keenly sensitive nerve CEN
ters. They do not require to be played upon
with the heavy hand of power. The appoint
ing power does not need so much as to nod
or wink to indicate its purpose aud thrill the
whole system with it. The President has only
to be silent, and from these radiating centers
of political influence there go out the quiet
but decisive orders which pack conventions
and make denomination sure Reelection





reasonably certain; a change brings proba-
bilities of loss of employment. What is most
natural for the average man under such cir
cumstances to doi Suppose you-the trustful
citizen considering this question and laughing