Year: 1871

= 90


The time is short, and something must
be speedily done. In about half year the
period win have arrived for calling the Pres
ideEtial Conventions Of the rival political
parties. If, at that time, the Democratic
party be in its present demoralized, imbecile
and distracted condition, there will not be
much use for it TO nominate Presidential
candidates, or to enter upon campaign in
which it viii shortly be beaten, routed and
crushed.


Under these circumstances, we have a
suggestion to make to the Democratic lead
s1 ers.


Our proposition is that Mr.. Belmont, the
Chairman of the National Democratic Ex-
ecutive Committee, acting under the author
ity and by the advice of this body, shall, at
the earliest possible moment, issue call for
a National Democratic Conference, OF, if
the title should suit better, National Polit-
ical Conference, to be held not later than
the 18th Of next March, for the purpose of
taking into consideration, not merely the
interests of the Democratic party, but for
reviewing the political condition and pros
poets Of the country, and taking steps for
party reorganization on new principles or
policy adapted to the times


The body which we propose might be, if
the Democratic leaders please, in the nature
of a preliminary National Conference to the
Presidential Convention of next July; but
the call for it should be so drawn up as to
give il a far wider scope, and far greater
freedom, than the regular party Conven-
ton can possibly have. This call
should provide for fall representation
from all the States Of the Union. 1t
should not be addressed exclusively TO
Democrats, but to all parties who are will
ing to take part in such conference. 1t
should make provision for thorough and
free discussion of all issues of the times,
and should insure the fair consideration of
all practical propositions properly brought
forward. The Conference should be en-
powered to establish basis for party reor-
ganization, to announce principles for popu-
lar acceptance and to adopt measures for
future action. Ample time should be pro-
vided for its deliberations and proceedings;
and we think that its sessions should, in
any event, cover up at least the period of
week. 1t should be held in some central
city (say, for instance, Cincinnati,) easy of
access from all parts of the country, and
possessing magnificent building or hall ca.
pable ol accommodating a thousand dele
gates, besides an audience of five or ten
thousand (say, for instance, the Fair Build
ing.) But We need not go into details of
this kind, which can be regulated easily
and in very short time, by the proper
parties.


Having offered our suggestion for the
National Conference, we submit it to the
consideration of the Democratic leaders.


We need not try to indicate the results
which the Conference might produce, or at
tempt to show how, by a wise course of
action, it might lay the foundation for new
political power in the country. But it is
easy to see that between the period of its
meeting in March, and the assembling of
the Presidential Convention in July, the
people would have ample time to study the
principles it had established, and there
would be opportunity for the crystallization
around the new organization of ali the ele-
ments for which it had attraction.


We need not at this time attempt to in
dicate the subjects which the March Con-
ference would necessarily discuss, or the
platform of principles it should present to
the people for acceptance. One of its
strongest features, however, should be a
declaration Of war against all political cor
ruptiOn in every shape; and it should not
be content with denunciation of it, but
should suggest effective means for prevent
ing it, thus purifying the political atmos-
phere and saving the country from ruin.
ii should also take the strongest ground
against electoral frauds, against the Ku-
kluX, against reputation, against domi-
neering corporations, against official imbe-
cility, extravaganza, and all such things. If
it were TO take sides with the 'labor move
ment," as far as possible, and if it could Sc
cure the support of the free-trade and free
ship interests of the country, it would ac-
quire certain great elements of power which
viii otherwise probably be scattered at the
next election. The Conference might also,
perhaps, find some way of giving hint in
the direction Of a proper Presidential candi-
date, for popular consideration. All these
points, however, and many other points
which we can not now mention, must be
left for discussion at the March Conference.