The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-21
The Late elections.
From the Nsto York Courier aud Enquirer, Noe. Ia
[WHIal

The Late Elections.
From the Ne'O York Courier and Enquirer, NOV, IA
[WHIo.l
Democratic presses throughout the land are
loud in their Civilizations Over the famous vic
tories ''he Democracy" has won within the
last twelvemonth. Wing principles it is de-
clared have died entirely out of the respect and
confidence of the American people. tits boosted
over and over again that but four States have
elected Wing governors, and that strong major
| ity of the next Congress will be Democratic.
stranger. listening to their high fanfaronades.
would suppose that the people have at last opened
their eyes TO deformities and mischiefs in Wing
policy never dreamed of before, and that in right
eous indignation they had swept nearly every
vestige of it from the land.
Now ii Is true that Democratic candidates in late
elections have been much generally success
fu than the Wing; but it is totally untrue that this
has been In consequence Of the adoption of Demo-
| cratic or the reputation of Wing principles In
scarcely single State has the political contest
turned clearly and fairly upon the old party is
sues. The elections have been almost universally
decided by either local questions or with refer
| cnce TO the sectional Compromise measures of the
last session Of Congress Even where the ancient
party lines were observed, these matters entered
far into the struggle as to determine the actual
result In nearly all of the southern States party
questions were waived and party distinctions
dropped. The acceptance of the Compromise
was the great Issue; and if any party as such
| has occasion TO rejoice in the triumph of that
measure 1t Is the Wing, since vast majority
of its southern supporters came from their ranks.
To claim the elections of such men as Governor
| Cobb and Governor Foote asNDemocratic VIC
tories Is the very climax of arrogance. In Vir-
GINA, where there is a virtual unanimity in re-
| gard TO the Compromise, the Congressional cleo
tons drew out but light vote, yet the Wings
gained instead OF losing ground; and there 10
| good to hope that the great contest which
Is fast approaching will seat In the gubernatorial
chair one OF the noblest Wings in the Union. IL
was the difference between the two candidates upon
the Compromise question, more than any party
considerations, that recently elected the governor
OF Pennsylvania. In Ohio, popular opposition TO
the Fugitive Slave law artiully turned, as it was.
by Senator Chase and his Free-soil compeers, to
the advantage Of the Democracy, had a vast intiu-
| ence in securing the Democratic victory. In our
own State, as we all know, the old national issues
| had but very subordinate part in the canvass.
The canal enlargement question was the main
ground Of controversy, and that was purely local
in its bearings. The popular interest was but little
| excited, the vote was light, and the result is OF
| little national Significance any way. In
| Massachusetts,, the Wings have nobly sustained
themselves against an unprincipled coalition, and.
though the contest is not yet complete every thing
| betokens their final success.
| In no year for long period has there been such
Indebtedness of political issues during the pre-
sent and IL is TO this very fact that Locoiocosm is
4
shes best in mst and confusion. Ii does not often
| succeed where the great party issues are clearly
marked, distinctly seen, and faithfully abided by.
| Ii works by chicanery and intrigue, and has
| hundred Protean shapes with which to recommend
itself in all ATTITUDES and meridians. II is for pro-
toctivc tariff In Pennsylvania, and against il in the
contiguous State Of Virginia. IL is for internal inn
provoments in Tennessee, and against them in the
contiguous State OF North Carolina. II 10 in favor
OF the Fugitive Slave law in the State of Kentucky,
and against II in the contiguous State OF Ohio. Ii
| is dead set in favor OF the whole Compromise i'm
| New Hampshire, and is just as decidedly against
it in the contiguous State OF Massachusetts,. 1t dare
not lay its hand upon a single well defined princi-
| pie, and. holding il up 10 the world its own,
with Il stand or fall. 1ts only faith ia in majorites,
| and its only work tho gaining OF these majorites
| by dint OF every human art aud Device The party
leaders now count up their long list of victories;
| but what have they gained, What principle have
| they established? What measure have they
| curedS What approach have they made towards
| selecting n Presidential candidate from the motley
group OF aspirants before them! We are told that
| there is time for all things; the time for Demo-
cratic exultaton will be when thcse questions can
| be satisfactorily answered, and not till then.
We do not forget that the Whig party has it's di-
visions but IL occupies far less broken ground than
| that OF its opponents. Its present Administration
| has the general confidence Of the country. Our
domestic affairs have been managed, Mt most
difficult juncture, with prudence and moderation
that have silenced opposition; and, our foreign
policy, amid the most extraordinary embarrass-
Incnts, has been directed with dignity and ability
| that have challenged the admiration Of the world.
Wing principles have not losta particle of their
| weight or value, and the predominant Wing spirit,
we believe, remains as il has been, sound. pa
| triotic, and national. Let harmony pcrvado the
Wing ranks, and there is no cause for distrust or
encouragement. But this harmony can never be
obtained until the party epudiate every Thing bear
ing the form of political abolition and take an open
and immovabe stand against every attempt to re-
vive these sectional controversies.