The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-09-12

The Maine Eiectios.
The general results Of the Maine election are
very decisive and very significant They are
startling and incomprehensible to the conserv-
atves and indicate popular groundswell
It is manifest to us that this remarkable cleo
ton turned more upon the exciting political
events of the day, North and South, than upon
the exact political issues presented between
the Southern restoration policy OF President
johnson and the reconstruction policy Of Con-
gress. Extraordinary results are generally due
10 extraordinary causes. Had the republicans
simply held something like their standing ma
iority in Maine the result could have been ex-
planned by the simple statement that the battle
was fought between tho Union party OF the war
and the old copperhead peace democracy.
But the enormous gains to the republican vote
throughout the State require larger expiana-
ton.
We conclude that to the exciting political
events of the day, and especially to the de-
plorable tragedy lately enacted in New Or
leans, we must look for the exciting causes
which have resulted in this unprecedented de-
feat Of the democrats and conservatives In
Maine. However guilty Northern abolition
radicals may have been in fomenting the New
Orleans riots, the ugly fact stands forth in
gloomy relief that Southern whites and negroes
sympathizing with the Northern radical party
were deliberately murdered by Southern des-
peradoes and municipal officers who had been
Co,1f1 .a,ra Oy.nIo fi.a
late rebellion. General Sheridan's dispatches
upon this bloody business have evidently left
an impression upon the Northern mind preju-
dical to the cause of the speedy reconciliation
Of the two sections. Those rnfianly elements
of the South which had so much to do in pre-
cipitsting the Southern States into the abyss of
the late rebellion, against the wishes and move
ments Of The great body of the Southern peo-
pie, have been again at their diabolical work.
And so we find the generous and acceptable
restoration policy Of the President turned into
contempt by squads of Southern yagabonds
here and there, playing into the hands Of
Northern radicals and fanatics in such scenes
Of lawlessness and bloody violence as those OF
Memphis aud New Orleans.
Such CHASTITY scenes of disorder are, we are
satisfied, as revolving to the masses OF the
Southern people as to the people Of the North;
but in the stubborn fact that such scenes are
enacted in Southern cities with TIE connivance
Of the local authorities, and thai the guilty
parties escape without punishment, the North
ern mind is naturally drawn TO the cQpclusion
that President Johnson's magnauimity il
thrown away and that the intractable spirit
Of The rebellion still prevails throughout the
South. We have heard IL Said that the New
Orleans massacre was godscnd to the North
ern radicals, and so, in casting about for the
solution OF tais Maine election We are com
PEELED to recognize it. Ii the moral catols,
therefore, shall prove to be the triumph OF the
stringent radical policy Of exclusion, against
the Presidents generous and llioiory
policy OF Southern restoration, the Southern
people may charge il to those vicious and re-
bellious elements among themselves which
Southern political leaders have permitted 10 be
used by Northern radical agitalors Tor lhei
party purposes.
Whatever may have been the real causes
however, operating 10 bring about the extra
ordinary results OF this Maine election, il is too
decisive against the democracy and conservs.
tiyes 10 be limited 10 Maine. We apprehend
that, rs in all our political contests Of the past
OF national character, the result in Maine In.
dicates the general drift Of the elections com
ing after Il throughout the Northern States
The prospect now of a conservative majority
in the next Congress is very doubtful; the
prospect Of another radical Congress is better
than il has appeared at any time since Deccm
Der last. In short, this Maine election of 1sGt
will probably mark another new chapter in on
political history and perhaps another rcor
genization Of parties and another reconstruc
lion Of party. platforms for the Presidential
election, beginning with the close Of the com;
ing elections OF October and November.