The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-13
WASHINGTON, D. c..
REPUBLICAN, SENTIMENT.
From The New lsrs Es-nIur Post. November 5.
THE ELECTION OF YESTERDAY.

The battle is over, aud we are al waiting for
the smoke 10 clear away, that we may see the
exact position Of the armies which have been
engaged in the conflict. The present aspect of
the field is disastrous for the cause which we
have supported. We will not undertake to say
at present that all hope is lost; we will not
affirm that It is impossible that the reports we
are yet to hear from Pennsylvania may change
the apparent defeat into a victory; we will not
vet affirm that there is no chance that the cleo
ton may be carried into the House of Repre-
sentatives. The chances for Fillmore in Ken
lucky and Louisiana were thought week since
10 be As good as in Maryland, which it is said
has been carried for the Fillmore electoral
ticket.
But, taking it for granted that Buchanan has
succeeded, we confess that there are some con-
sidera,ions which, with US, mitigate the pain of
disappointment. If we have not carried the
United States, we have obtained heavy MAORI
ties in part of the Union which stands high
in the Confederacy for intelligence aud prosper.
i;y, and which, through these characteristics,
exercises a powerful influence on public opin-
ION. We have at least laid the basis of for
nidable and well-organzed party in opposition
- the spread Of Slavery-that scheme which is
the scandal of the country and of the age. In
those States of the Union which have now given
such large maioritieS for Fremont, public opn-
ion, which till lately has been undecided and
whiting in regard to the Slavery question, ia
now clear, fixed, and resolute. If we look back
to 1913, when we conducted Presidential
election on this very ground of opposition to
the extension Of Slavery, We shall see that we
have made immense strides towards the ascend
ency. which, if there be any grounds to hope
for the perpetuity of free institutions, is yet TO
al l.
we are now strong; then counted our thou
sands, we now count our millions; we could
then point TO respectable minorities in q
few States, we now point to Stete after State
10 powerful old States on the Atlantic, and
Furnishing young States in the West-which
rally with US under the banner of resistance to
the extension of Slavery. The cause is not
going back-it is rapidly going forward the
Free Soil party of 1913 is the nucleus Of the
Republican party of 1856; but with what &C
cessions Of numbers, of strength, Of illustrious
names, of moral power, of influence, not merely
in public assemblies, but at the domestic fire.
side!
If not strong enough to triumph now, it ia
growing up TO win a glorious triumph hereafter.
1t is youthful cause; and with all the vigor
and health Of youth in its constitution, it is able
TO bear hardship. The present hardships will
knit Its frame more firmly, and give it strength.
1t is triumphant already in those parts of our
country in which knowledge is most generally
diffnsed, and public opinion is most readily in.
huenced by free discussion. 1t has fought a
good fight, even IN those parts Of the free States
IN which the population are the most ignorant,
and cling longest to the preiudices which they
attach to party names. Even there, it has
made progress which promises it the mastery
hereafter.
Meantime, if the victory be, as it now seems,
with Buchanan, Mr.. Fillmore will stand before
the country in no enviable light. But for him
and his friends, the opposition to the Admins
tration of Mr.. Pierce, and to the continuance
of his policy under Buchanan, was strong
enough to have beaten the party of Gushing
and Forney-ignoble names both-and by that
defeat to have settled the question of Slavery,
wrested from the shareholders the monopoly of
The territory which they have grasped, and give
peace aud prosperity to Kansas. Mr.. Fillmore
las merely played into Buchanan's hands and
having done all the mischief in his power, is
dismissed TO that obscurity and contempt which
is the just lot of weak men who, by appeals to
their personal ambition, are persuaded to inter-
iere with the success of a good cause.