Year: 1872

The Obliteration or Party Lines and
the New Deal I'm Politics-The Conn


ing Dem Ocratic Disruption.


We are living in an age of revolution and
every day the spirit of personal independence
and self-reliance is spreading more and more
among the people. Our great political organi-
zations have lost their power and party lines
are almost wholly obliterated On every side
we find indications that the iron rule of regu-
larity, once SO binding on leaders and follow
ers alike, can no longer hold refractory spirits
under restraint, but that men will act accord
ing to their wishes and convictions, and not in
conformity with the behests of party. few
years ago political bolter was a marked char
acter and treason to an organization or its
candidates was regarded as a heinous offence.
To-day the free and Independent politician is
hero and all are ready to commend his bold
ness. King Caucus is dead. and there are few
mourners at his funeral.


The most striking instance recently afforded
of this revolution in party politics is the over
throw of the administration republican caucus
nominee for United States Senator in Con-
necticut, General Hawley, and the election
for his election now appears oertain-of Sena-
tor Ferry, by q combination of liberal repub
licans and democrats, who together hold ma
jority ON joint ballot in the Legislature of that
State. Yesterday, the Senate nominated Haw
10y by majority of seven, while the House
nominated Ferry by majority Of fourteen, with
only four absentees--one democrat and three
republicans To-day the joint ballot of the
two houses is to be cast, and there is little
doubt Of Ferry success by majority of from
eight to ten votes. This is the first practical
step in the coalition of the democrats and lib
eral republicans against the administration,
and should the same policy extend to the nom-
inees for the Presidency and Vice Presidency
it will embrace in its scope the Congressional
and State nominations. and, whether successful
or unsuccessful in the national contest, will
make an entire new deal in politics all over the
Union.


The great revolution in this State last No
vember, which swept away the Tammany de-
mocracy, was of q similar character. 1t was an
uprising Of the masses of the people against
the discipline and tyranny of party organiza-
ton. Our State Legislature-peace to it's
ashes! was largely republican; strong enough
in it's party majority to control all the legisla-
ton of the session, to override every executive
veto. and to pass bills requiring three-fourth
vote. Yet, from the commencement Of the
session, caucus rule was repudiated, the
majority refused to be bound by party meas
ures, the members acted on their own respon-
sibility and the republicans divided into fac
tions on almost every question brought before
them. The Cincinnati Convention was an
| open and bold rebellion against the regular
republican organization-a repudiation of
regularity in the most important political
movement known to the country, the nomina-
ton of Presidential candidates. So thoroughly
is the right of independent political action
now recognized that no person assails the Gin
cinnati Conventionists for treason to party,
however bitterly they may denounce their hos
tility to General Grant.


We have recently witnessed numerous less
important instances Of insubordnation in the
ranks Of the politicians, but they are scarcely
worth recapitulation. 1t is enough that every
indication points to the obliteration of party
lines and to new combinations in the future.
President Grants election probably laid the
first groundwork for this political independ-
ence. Chosen from necessity by an organiza-
ton to which he never belonged, and with
many of whose ideas he could have no SYM
pathy, his administration, while faithful to
political friendships, has been, in great
measure, unrestricted by the narrow and
cramped boundaries of party rules and obliga-
tons. If General Grant had been a mere
machine republican he would not probably
have broken republicanism in two but he is
an honest, independent man, and hence before
his first term of Office has expired he sees the
party that elected him rent asunder, and the
political hacks who four years ago labored for
his success now kicking vigorously against
him. The insubordination, originating at
Washington through dissatisfaction with the
distribution Of the federal patronage, spread
rapidly through the States, and the tangible
results accomplished up to the present
moment are the Cincinnati Presidential nomi-
nations and the election Of Senator Ferry.


The democrats are now preparing to follow
the example of the republicans and to strike
off in independent lines OF their own. The in
dications OF a determination to support the
Greeley ticket already apparent among the
democracy of the South, as well as in New
York, Pennsylvania and other important
States, has awakened counter revolution in
the democratic camp in favor of President
Grant. The democratic organ in this city led
of in the new split. although in cautious,
prudent manner and Dan voorhees, took mp
the cue and boldly declared on the floor Of
Congress his determination to spit upon the
action OF the Baltimore Convention if it should
favor union with the liberal republicans and