The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-22
THU ELECTIONS.

The new Congressional delegation from Geor-
gia stands, Buchanan men to Know Moth
ipgs. The Buchanan candidate for Governor
is elected by about 900 majority.
The election in Mississippi has resulted in
the choice of the entire Buchanan ticket for
Congress.
The majority for Packer, the Buchanan can
didate for the Governorship in Pennsylvania, IS
probably over forty thousand. The Legislature
is of course for Buchanan.
In Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota, the contest
which took place on the 18th was close one.
Both parties in Ohio claim the Legislature
and the Governor The Republicans say that
Chase is elected by few hundred majority
while the Buchanan men say it is just precisely
the other way. We shall not give up the cleo
ton of Mr. Chase, till we have seen something
more conclusive on the other side.
Iowa is also in doubt. 1t was confidently
announced at first that the Republican ticket
had succeeded in Minnesota, but the Buchanan
men are now claiming triumph. Everywhere,
the Republicans have suffered from the mac
ton and temporary Encouragement consequent
on their failure in the Presidential struggle
last fall. If defeated in Ohio, they may blame
their own want of zeal and effort, not the
strength of their opponents. The Democratic
Party has one virtue, at least-in defeat as well
as victory, whether it rain or shine, whether
banks break or not, it stands by its candidates
and organization.
In Kansas, as we expected nothing, we have
been agreeably disappointed. 1t is true, we
believed that the Free State men constituted a
clear majority of the actual residents of the Ter
ritory but 80 divided were they in their coun-
! sels so strange a policy had their leaders pur-
sued in relation to the Constitutional Conven-
ton, and so reiterated were the assertions that
their opponents had absolute control of the
ballot box and the whole machinery Of voting,
that we apprehended of course nothing but de-
feat in their first attempt to right themselves at
the polls. But, it seems that they have elected
their Delegate to Congress, and probably Sc
cured the control of the Legislature. The
National Democrats" as their opponents
style themselves, concede the former, but dis
pute the latter. At all events, this first demon
stration of the voting policy shows what our
friends might have done sooner, had they set
themselves to work, instead of blowing rams
horns. Had they acted with the same energy
in regard to tie Constitutional Convention,
| they might have obtained the control of that
body. But, better late than never. Doing is
more effective than talking A dozen plaintive
protests are not half go effectual as one vote.
| The Free State men of Kansas, or Republicans,
| as they are called, have entered on a career of
victory. Only let them continue as they have
begun.
1t seems that the soldiers in Kansas voted
the National Democratic ticket, being induced
thereto by Governor Walker. We see not On
what ground this can be justified. The organ
ic act of the Territory, commonly called the
Kansas. N ebraska Act, expressly prohibits such
voting. After conceding to the Legislature
power to prescribe the qualifications Of voters
at all elections after the first one it prescribes
two limitations to the exercise of this power,
one of which is as follows:
And provided, further That no officer
soldier, seaman, or marine, or other person in
the army or navy of the United States, or at
| tached to troops In the service OF the United
States, shall be allowed to vote or hold Office in
said Territory, by reason of being on service
| therein"
If troops of the United States can be allowed
to vote, as in Kansas, to decide the fate Of an
election, they can be transferred by the Federal
Executive anywhere, to decide the fate of
doubtful elections.
On the whole, the elections are not very sat
sfactory to either the Republican or the Blu
chanan party. The former has lost some
strength, but the latter has scarcely gained
any. The Republicans carried Maine, although
by somewhat diminished maj ority but nei-
Their did the Buchanan men hold their own. SO
it will be found that in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
and Iowa, the Administration has made only
relative, not absolute, gains. Another such
crisis as 1856 would find what is called the Ma
tional Democracy, weaker than ever.