The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-11-07
I.CIIsDAY M0NNINa. NOV. :.


THE ELECTIONS.
II seems to be certain that the State of
New York has given decided Demo-
cratic majority, and also that New
Jersey and Maryland have follow
ed in her wake. The other States, such
AS Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Kan
sas. have not all beel heard from, bat,
we presume, they have gone Kepubli-
eau by something less than their usual
vote.
Thus lar this autumn five States
have given Democratic majorities,
viz: California. Pennsylvania, New
York, New Jersey as known, nd-
hercd to their former and Mary
land. All the rest have, so far
verdicts on the great leading question
Reconsideration, bat in mos; Of them.
especially in Ohio, there has been a
falling OF from preceding majorities.
Even our own state Of West Virginia
has not proved an exception to the
rule, although it could hardly he desir-
able to sec more decided preponder-
ancc Of public sentiment in one direc-
ton than her renewed decision few
days ago in favor of maintaining the
general policy Of reconstruction in
augurated by Congress.
!. is worthy of notice that the cities
OF New York and Brooklyn, practical
ly one city, have changed the vote of
New York State. In both there is a large
Iy Increased Democratic vote. And this
is the case in Buffalo, and, if we mis-
take not, in Albany. We hear OF Re
publican gains in the more strictly
agricultural localities, thus showing
that the strongholds Of Democracy are
now, as ever, among the constituencies
of such men as John Morrissey, Fer
nnndo Wood. Ben Wood, Capt. Ryn-
dor-, and other politicians OF the shout
der-hilting and inro.dealing persua-
sious.
Throughout the States wherein cleo
tiuus have been held we presume that
~ rule the largest gains for the DEM
ocrucy have peen made in the cities aud
towns. Not that gains have not been
made elsewhere. Not that Republicans
everywhere almost have not shown
more or less OF apathy and Indifference.
Not that a sort OF reactionary epidemic
has not seemed to prevail throughout
thccountry generally. We admit all that
the figures show and also all that their
showing suggests. But it is neverthe-
less true that the heavy Republican
losses have occurred mainly in proper
ton as the localities have been suscepti-
bic TO the sort of influences, prejudices
and passions that are largely the stock
in trade of the Democracy as weapons OF
warfare. \ man has only to read Mas
by's letters to have an approximate
idea of the resources and reliances of
thni purity in these latter days. The
meetings at the "Corners" are scarcely
exaggerated types of the Democratic
hustings during the late campaigns.
Read the speeches OF Vallaudigham,
Peudleton, Thurman, and the lesser
lights of the party, and see how,
as in Nasby's sermons, The mig
rer'' was their Alpha and Omega,
and how the idea of social equality
was held up like great rawheud and
bloody bones wherewith to alright the
soul OF every man who had a daughter
or IA sister OF marriageable age. Then,
too, the tax question was played upon
II such localities ns we have described
with peculiar eefct. The minds OF the
people were literally narrowed with
the idea that they had all of IL sudden
become the slaves of the boudholders
of the country. and that their sweat an d
blood wers mnrtgaged for years to
come to support 4 lot OF sharks and
Shyiocks who were fntteuinS OF the
distresses of their fellow citizens.
Every article was resorted to to inflame
the preJudIces OF the most iucousidcr-
able tax pay er in the land. Every man
ont of work was pointed to the party
in power as responsible for the dull
ness in his business. The high price OF
flour and meat WAS lid ike the sin of
Cain at Its door. And the remedy
pointed out was to vote down that
party. and thereby vote the niger
away from your pRrlCrs and your ia
bles, and thereby free yourselves from
the woke Of toe bondholdsrs, and there
byget your Gourau your meat at the
good old democratic prices OF the days
when work was plenty and no body
paid any taxes.
Is any wonder that the Democracy
achieved gains by thus manipulating
and playing upon the public feeling ,
Is it not rather a wonder that instead
of gains they did not achieve over
whelmtng mnjorities? And yet, With
all this unusual ammunition they were
able to carry but five States this fall,
aud JAILED to carry nearly three times
that number, After all their boasts,
how inconsiderabIe have been the re-
suits. Their ground is all TO go over
again next year, and by that time the
passions kindled will have subsided,
and more general understanding
of the merits of the late canvass will