The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-12
rbs Moral OF the ElsctiOns.

o.io,, IN nublo sentiment; but the defeat of
tba marty ticket in one case, ana tne reuuceo
,oo,oritv with which it triumphs in the other
o;ro,r,stanoes which those who would
axolude the Democrats from power may
wisely heed.
TLo DANGERS which threaten the Republican
oansa are the products of great strength and
A. ovarweeninp confidence which 1t has en-
Sos,dered' snv There is a disposition in sections
6f tbe party to be intolerant in respect of the
oa;nions and measures which shall be sus-
tsinad Inv its members. In some instances the
sn;nority have insisted upon the adoption of
their views by the majority, literally claiming
tbe right to dictate the policy and to enlarge
tbe platform of the party without reference to
the Judgment or convictions OF others. A COM
narstivelv small number have more than once
undertaken to regulate the standard for the
vTbole and to read out of the party all who
refnsed TO pronounce their shibboleth. Or
oanization has thus been managed in the inte-
Test of individuals rather than in conformity
with the recorded purposes of the aggregate of
its members.
California has told us with what result uh-
scrupulous combination and intrigue are fol-
lowed when they obtain control of the party
machinery. We have been usefully reminded
that. though knavery and presumption win
in the making of nominations, the people will
resent the fraud, and assert their supremacy
in their own way. The managers of nomina-
tions may frame ticket to suit their own
ends, but they must not rely on the rank and
Rle for its ratification. To secure their hearty
and united power, the candidates put forward
must command their confidence.
In Maine the lesson though different is not
less clear or emphatic. The Democratic vote
shows gain and the Republican falling off,
not as a consequence of revolt within the Re-
publican party against its national policy, but
confessedly and solely because of an unpopular
local issue thrust upon the party by vigorous
and determined minority. Prohibition is not
a political issue, and it is not one which the
Republican party as such can carry without
an,obvious risk of defeat. The fact that the
Republicans of Maine have achieved victory
in spite of the disadvantage at which they
were placed by one portion of their body, is,
perhaps, the strongest tribute to their strength
that could be afforded 1t is at any rate proof
that the cry of reaction which Maine is repre-
sented as having echoed, is at variance with
the admitted character of the contest.
The local writers of all shades of opinion
concur in rendering this as the explanation of
the changes exhibited by the vote on Monday.
The Augusta correspondent of the Boston
AdUertiSer-a known and earnest Republican
declares that the 'sole cause of the loss to
the Republicans is the Liquor law and the Con-
stabulary law passed by the last Legislature"
sMany Republicans" he adds, "were entirely
apathetic as to the result, and not a few voted
directly with the Democrats on the liquor
issue" Democratic correspondents frankly
proclaim the same story. The Portland
despatch to the Boston Post asserts that "all
the tickets for members of the Legislature
are more or less split up, the division
arising in consequence of the unpopular and
unrighteous provisions of the frohibitory
law" No other cause is assigned-no other
form of reaction claimed. The Boston Herald
makes similar admission. It's Augusta des-
patch has this remark:-"The ill-advised and
inoppOrtune legislation of last winter, by the
enactment of the ProhibitOry and Constabu-
larry laws, was the means of thousands of
Republicans casting their votes for candi-
dates in favor of repeal of those obnoxious
statutes" Upon this head no room is left for
doubt. The Democratic gain springs from a
single local question, having no relation to
the policy by which the Republican party
should be judged, and in no respect indicat
ing abatement of the frmness with which
Congress and its measures are sustained by the
State.
There is warning in the case. however. b,
which Republican leaders in other State.
should not fail to profit. With all its strength
the party cannot afford to be made responsible
for irrelevant issues, or to be saddled with tn,
odium which attaches to all the theories anC
crotchets OF Jealous but intolerant minorities
The motives which lead to concession on tn,
part of majOrities are usually good. They ar
threatened with divisions, and yield to pre-
serve party unity. Their experience in Main,
will not be too dearly purchased if it sugges
to extremists the wisdom of forbearance an,
moderation, and to the great body of the part
the peril of tampering with the authorizes
standard of national policy in obedience to tn
local demands of an aggressive minority.
An Extraordinary VIII Case.
Sfo'n The N. Y Tribune.
One of the most remarkable cases on record
destined to rank high among the Cdus
CEIebres, is now the talk of Boston. The ev
denee, taken before examiners some month
since, but only just published, fills larl
volume of thousand pages. The amour