The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-09
Fyom fhs Phiadslphia Inquirer.
Before and Aftsr tho Election--The Know.
ina OnAs


Ing Ones
IL 10 quite amusing. after the results of great
political struggle ascertained. TO discover the
many knowing ones who suddenly make their ap-
psarance in the community. They may be found
by scores, and II they are 10 be believed, they
months ago predicted all that has just occurred,
even 10 the smallest figure. II happens in some
that this Information appears quite novel to
those to whom il 10 now communicated; but the
knowing ones not whit abashed. and refer to
their past Vaccinations with the utmost conpa-
cency and confidence. The truth simply is, that
both PARTIES have been disappointed-the one palm
fully the other pleasdfsby--in relation to the re-
cen. contest. Before tho struggle Of The second
Tuesday OF October, many Of the shrewdest politi.
cans Of the opposition frankly admitted, not only
that the struggle would be close, but that the
chances we're In favor OF General Scott. Pcnnsyl.
vania was given TO him with reluctance, but still
because the signs of the times we're unequivocally
In his favor. II 10 therefore an utter mOckery, an
empty piece of vanity ON the part of the self sufi
Gent to take to themselves the credit of having
predicted with such extraordinary accuracy what
has just oceurred. True, after the October cleo
tons in Penns ylssnia, Ohio, and Indiana, the
prospect became somewhat overcast The heavy
maiorities In those three States were altogether
unexpected; and although they were accounted for
in some measure by the lightness of the aggregate
VOTE yet the effect was disastrous 1t operated in
juriously in thtce ways. In the irst place. it
reused the confidence and Stifnulated the energies
OF the Democracy; in the second, 1t intimidated
and disheartened many Of our own friends; and In
the third lit induced thousands Of the neutral and
the fence men to go over to the enemy in body
These consequences were anticipated, and hence
wey in common with our contemporaries OF the
Wing press generally. made the most earnest APP
peals and devoted our columns almost exclusively
to the business of the campaign.
Our great apprehension was-inactiVity apathy,
and Indifference the part Of the conservative
portion Of the community. And these, we ven.
battle has vanished into thin air, were the real
ca uses of the defeat. The result in the city Of
Philadelphia tells the whole story. We verify be-
lieye that there is majority Of six thousand Of
our fellow ctizens within tho Limits of the city
proper who are opposed 10 the political doctrines
Tuesday last majority at the polls was iess than
thirty. five hundred. II similar condition Of AT
fairs existed throughout the State and the nation
the immediate cause of the disaster ia plain and
palpable. But why, under the circumst ances, did
so many American citizens remain at home? Why
did 30 many falter in their duty? Are Wing prin-
ciples less important now than on any former oc
casion? And 10 there less attachment now than
heretofore 20 home industry and its adequate pro-
tccton, to river and hafbor improyeme nts, peace
and it's triumphs of civilization, to progress. but
in spirit that harmonizes with Ihagnanimity and
iustice? We will not attempt to answer these
questions at the present. time There is a season
for all things, and, with the wounds of the party
fresh and bleeding it is neither wise well to
say aught that may be regarded as harsh or hasy.
Let us rather look over the ground calmly. dis
cover the false steps il any have been made, and
while applauding and commanding 1.-THE many
who battled SO manfully, remember that principles
have duties to perform as well after as before an
election