Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-10-22
The Reaction-Its Extent and its Lesson.


demonstrated What is the extent of this reac-
ton, and what does it mean?
We find a Democratic majority indicated by
the votes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Con-
necticut, Indiana and California? In Maine
we discover a Radical loss of 16, 900 votes, and
in Iowa 10000. The States first named gave
large Radical majorities last year. Now they
are reversed. Maine and Iowa still give Radi
cal majorities, but if an election were to come
off next month, it is doubtful whether they
could carry either State. In Ohio matters are
stand off, the Democrats having the Legisla-
ture, the Republicans the Governor probably by
small majority but the negro suffrage amend
ment is defeated by fifty thousand votes For
three years past this State has been giving
majorities for the Republicans ranging from
thirty to sixty thousand Last year they had
a. 696 majority Now they are thankful to
scratch through with any majority.
Toappreciate the significance ofthese changes,
we must consider that they have been won by
the people almost unaided, without organza-
ton, money, patronage, or the expectation of
success. Their opponents had the great advan-
tage arising from the prestige of uninterrupted
success against which to many it seemed useless
to struggle; they had, moreover, ample COM
mand of money from the powerful and wealthy
corporations to whose interests they are un-
reservedly pledged they had body of Office
holders, State and Federal, and force of patron
age such as has not been seen in any age or
country before; and they had in their Loyal
Leagues, " "Grand Army of the Republic. F" and
probably other secret, dishonest, and dangerous
societies, the means of most thorough organiza-
ton. With all this, with all the power of the
Government in their hands, except the Presi-
dent alone, whose power they have reduced to
mere CIPHER, they are defeated. The reac-
ton is spontaneous, general, and overwhelming
The fact is admitted, the pretences by which it
was sought to be cloaked in respect to Maine
and California being now laid aside as useless
But this reaction has only begun. Now that
the prestige of this party is gone; now that the
Conservatives have learned the secret of their
strength, they will rally with hope, energy,
and enthusiasm such as has not been seen in
American politics. This of itself would assure
decisive victory to the Conservative banner; but
there are large numbers of intelligent and
patriotic Republicans who will now take their
final leave Of that party and join to swell the
triumph of Constitutional liberty. These men,
moderate in temper, and anxious always for
settlement and repose, have adhered hitherto
to the Republican organization because its power
seemed to be too firmly fixed to be shaken, and
they supposed they might do some good by
moderating its excuses but as neither motive
now exists, they will not be slow to give their
votes and influence in the direction of their real
wishes Such detection seems to be taken
tor granted by the Radical organs, and they
vainly seek to lessen its volume by the use of
hard names. The day has gone by when abusive
eplthets and passion can be accepted as substi-
tutes for craftsmanship
Accordingly we may naturally look for still
more decisive Conservative triumphs next
month. New York has to elect State ticket
and Legislature. That its Republican majority
OF last year will be reversed is as certain as any
thing can be that has not actually happened.
The estimates of the Conservative majority are
so large that We hard y care to annoy our op-
ponents in advance by repeating them; but
that the majority will be overwhelming, thew
know as well as We do. In New Jersey there
is Legislature to be chosen, which will, of
course, be Conservative, and constitutional
amendment allowing negro suffrage is to be voted
on. Its chances, after the late result in Ohio,
m ho T.
and Kansas, negro suffrage is also to be voted
on. In these two States, and in Wisconsin,
Minnesota, and Massachusetts, there are State
elections to be held early next month. In all
OF them we count on large gains for the Cor
seryatlVes, and shall not be at all surprised to see
two or three of them give Conservative ma
jority. Nor will this feeling of reaction stop
with these elections; it will 60 from month to
month increasing in volume, until the aoU ofthe
people shalt be expressed an the national statute
book We advertise the leaders who are now
anxlousy consulting how the Republican party
may be preserved as living organization that
nothing short Of this will abate the popular dis
pleasure. No more tricks or contrivances will
answer. The people want substantial verities,
not shadows or nostrums. If party refuse to
give them their Constitution, peace and Union,
they Will put that party out of the way.
Congress. therefore, stands condemned. The
vote just taken is vote of want of confidence
In the Congress and the Republican leaders
generally. The people asked for bread. and
they have given them stone. The peonle
wanted the Union restored, and they have kent
1t dissolved by eXpedients for carving the next
Presidential election. Already thew boast that
by the rotten negro boroughs they have manu-
featured in the South, they will be able to de
feat the expression of the Northern Conservative
masses. Let them beware how they make sucb
boasts, for the people are in no mood to he
cheated or trifed with
The whole system of military government for
the South, despotism, the corrupt political
agency OF the Freedmen's bureau, martial law.
military commissions, fraudulent registration.
and all the Accomplishments of their system.
stand condemned by the popular voice. and
they must be surrendered by the Congress. IF
that body refuses obstinately to listen to the
popular fiat, so much the worse for the Con.
gress
And still more and emphatieally does the
scheme OF negro suffrage for the South stand
condemned. In New York and Pennsylvania.
as the Anti-Slavery Standard remarks, the Re,
publicans have ''meanly lodged the issue but
in Ohio they thought themselves strong enough
to face the music, and that is fifty thousand ma
jority against it. This is decisive as to North
ern sentiment If Ohio thus votes, it is fair to
assume that New York and Pennsylvania would
each give hundred thousand majority against
the scheme of putting the negro on a political
equality with the white man Let the plan be
crh,;ttod to tho ont;ro Mouth 81 80 - II