The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-10
The Republican Victories.

The Republican Victories.
If anything were needed to spur the radi-
calls to an assault upon the president and his
plan of reconstruction Immediately uuon the
opening of congress, the elections on Tuesday
have furnished the necessary incentive
Had the triumph of the republican party
been less complete, the result might have in
duced caution, but, as the returns now stand
they will create a confidence In the ability of
the party to carry its most extreme demands.
and a determination to insist upon them
Its victories on Tuesday were radical victor
les, and will inure to the benefit of the Sum-
ner and Stevens wing of the party. In New
York the only newspaper of any considerable
Influence which asserted that the election of
the republican ticket would be an indorse
ment of the president and his policy was the
Times, and it was herein fatty contradicted
by the Tribune and the radical press OF the
state. Mr. Greeley asserted that the success
IF the Weed faction in Syracuse was the re
suit of dexterity rather than strength, from
which fact we may infer what wing of the
party il was that contributed most largely to
the republican victory in the state. The re-
suit was. In fact, an instruction to the repre-
sentatiyes of the party in congress, from New
York. to act with their party from other
states in reference to sustaining or repudia-
ring the policy of the president. We think
we do not exaggerate in saying that nine
tenths OF the press of the party demand the
reputation of his plan. and that large ma.
jority of the repu olican members of congress
will follow the direction of the press.
TIE election mas decided, then, that the
mode of restoring the Union adopted by Mr..
johnson will be rejected by congress and by
the leaders of the party which elected him
The inquiry of greatest interest is, in specu-
lating upon coming political events, will the
party follow its leaders and press? We have
but little doubt that a majority of it will, and
less doubt that large portion of it will re-
fuss to unite in an assault upon the presi-
dent. A very significant circumstance, in
connection with the result on Tuesday, was
the defeat of negro suffrage in Wisconsin.
notwithstanding the success Of the repubi-
can ticket. Thus question is now the vital
issue" between the parties. 1t is declared to
be 80 by the radicd press. Yet. as we have
seen. the democrotic position was sustained
in Wisconsin, though our ticket was defeated.
The action OF congress in the session soon to
begin. will give this question due prominence,
aud discover 10 the people that all other is
sues are subordinate to it. The conservative
element in the republican party has not vet
been compelled definitely to declare itself on
this subject. There have been so many 9TH
err topics urging themselves upon ther atten-
ton when considering the position of the re-
spective parties that this has received but
slight attention. 1t has. moreover, been eva
ded In the resolutions of state conventions
this tall. Raymond hefogged it with doubt
phrassology in New York DDolittle lodged
it in drafting the resolution of the republi-
can state convention in Wisconsin. Ia Ohio
il was passed over entirely, in the platform,
and General Cox wrote g doubtful. hesitating.
thin he rig letter, concerning it, and one sus-
ceptible of any construction his partIssns
deemed expedient TO make in the various dis
tficts Of the state.
The republican victories on Tuesday can
only be attributed to the discipline and or
ganiz alton of the party, and the fact that it
left the people in doubt "a to what Its course
would be in regard to the mode of ''restora-
ton" adopted by the president. Had it de
clarsd uuequivocllly 10 favor of it, the radi-
Gals would have bolted Had it declared clear
" and decisively against it. and made the ques
ton of negro suffrage the test of political or
thoioxy, IL could not have secured 1.-THE Of
the conservative strength of the party, nor
could it have carried a state. Its success
imposes upon il the necessity Of defining its
position. and the radicals will prove them.
selves swift 10 see that necessity and eager "a
hct upon it. They must drive the conserva-
tives to the wall or be driven by them. The
victory was a party victory. Although secured
nv evasion of issues, il compels decisive ac-
ton in regard to them. II did not pledge
New York 20 an Endorsement of the president
or Wisconsin to a Reputation Of him. II
did not commit New Jersey to negro suffrage
or array Minnesota against it. When the
persons returned from the southern states as
members of congress apply for admission we
shall learn, not what the election declared in
regard to these questions, because they were
evaded in the canvass by the republican par
ty, but what they have emboldened the party
to do. 1t was seemingly never so strong as
TO day. In reality it is weaker than it has
been at any time within the pas, ten years
1t has hitherto been united in opposing the
democracy. It's victory will compel it to d.
vide its forces. and, by pitched battle with
in it's own ranks, determine the strength of
its separate factions - Chicago Times.