Year: 1871

The democratic party stands to-day upon
the verge of glorious success in the future,
the fruition of which is the possession OF the
Presidential office and the control of the
national government In 1872. We say, I'D
visedly, that it stands on the verge Of success,
because it has not the prize yet within its
grasp, though all its opportunities would
seem to place 1t within easy reach. The fate
Of parties, and even OF nations, has been de-
cided sometimes by very small things. Great
events have been moved from their original
centres by unbalancing the pivot OF demoral-
izing the leverage and this may be done
again. A good deal of what must make the
future Of the democratic party, for good or
evil, rests with the democracy OF New York.
and that means, in fact, the democratic lead
ers Of Tammany. With their commanding
majority in the city and State, their expe-
rience in managing all the intrcacies Of poll
tics, their power is not to be dospised But
we warn them that there are many little pit
falls in their path, into which, with all
their sagacity and foresight, they may tumble.
We have supported the democratic party as
represented by Tammany for some time past
in their contest with enemies inside and out
side the ranks. We stood by them in their
6ercc fight in Albany last winter with the
Young Democracy through all the difficulties
and dangers that beset them. Even when the
leaders were filed with doubt, and scarcely
knew whether to uphold their standard or
yield the field to the enemy, we stood shoul-
der to shoulder with them and encouraged
them to the end. And why? Because we
believed that the plan which they introduced
into the Legislature for the government of the
city was about the best we had seen; that 1t
was an Improvement upon the then existing
system, and much safer to adopt than any
experiment attempted to be forced upon Us by
branch Of the undisciplined and unwashed
democracy. We are not disappointed in the
result of that struggle. The men who know
something about governing the city are in
power, and we cannot say that up to this time
that power has been abused. On the con-
trary, the people generally appear to be con-
tent with the present management of our
municipal affairs.


But, apart from questions that are merely
local, the future destiny of the democratic
party, which involves the Presidential success
sion-if it cannot be secured in the coming
election, at least can be counted as certain
in the election of lS7G-depends in great
measure upon the good sense with which the
democracy OF this State shall use their power.
The democratic party, with all its success, is
not quite ''out of the woods" and cannot afford
to haloo too soon. 1t is still like an army in
the enemy's country. 1t is surrounded by
foes, who are to be found not only among the
soreheads within it's own circle, but in the
ranks of the republicans, who are watching
every weak point in the daily action of the
party, eager to take advantage of anything
that may be used against it. Therefore, in a
spirit not unfriendly, and believing that the
generous, more American principles than the
republican party, which represents CEN
tralizaton of authority, concentration o!
wealth and unrepublican exclusveness, we
warn the triumphant democracy of New York
that they must not imperi their cha noes of
obtaining power in the government of the
country for the next quarter of a century at
least. The prize, as we have said, is almost
within their grasp, but they must not go too
far even in what may seem small matters.
If there should be even suspicion that
certain pending legslation-such, for example,
as the tax levy or the water bill-may in the
least degree jeopardize the future fortunes of
the party, wisdom would suggest that such
legislation should be abandoned. IT there be
q remote chance that such measures may be
used successfully by the republicans to
weaken the power of the democracy in its
march toward permanent control Of the
national government, as it undoubtedly will,
then we think sagacious leaders would not
urge these measures to the bitter end.


We have much faith in some of the leaders
Of the New York democracy because they have
been tried, weighed in the balance and not
found wanting their experience is
large and, as far as we know, has been usefully
applied. But they ought to exercise some con-
troll over q few of their restless and reckless
colleagues-lnen Of hobbies, who will ride
them, whether on water or on land, without
regard to the interests Of the party or its
future as great national organization.


At the same time it is very foolish for some
of our contemporaries to heap indiscriminate
abuse upon whole party because Of the self
ishness of few. It is like mixing up mean
scrub oaks with q grove Of the live monarchs
of the forest. While we abuse no one We give
friendly advice to oil the leaders Of the New
York democracy that they must not allow
their future prospects as a grand national
party to eludc their grasp for the sake OF
small temporary advantages. Tie prize is in
view. Let them secure itm5y cautious and
wise action. y