Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-04
ALEXANDRIA.
tbs PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION closed yester

The PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION closed yester-
day in the election of GEN. GRAM as next
President, and Mr.. Coliax as Vice President,
Of the United States. Though the end had
been foreshadowed for some time aud but few
Of the Conservatives were disappointed at the
result, however much they may regret 1t, the
majorities for the Radicals in several OF the
States which have been warmly contested, are,
to us, UNEXPECTEDLY large. This may, in part,
be accounted for, from the fact, that in several
portions of the country the preliminary cleo
tons 10 the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania, To-
diana, &C., in October, were regarded, as 10
reality settling the question. All the doubt
full and wavering, wishing, as is usual, to be on
the strong side, went over at once. We have
no doubt, too, that the unwiSe proposition
for change of candidates, however well IN
tended, had discouraging and depressing ell
feet But, after all, though such reasons may
explain, in part, the losses and gains, IN par
ticular States, or sections, it is now manifest
that large majority Of the people OF the
North and West are in favor OF eleeing the
Radical candidates.
We receive the verdict, in calmness, and, AS
We have said before, shall offer no taetious
counsels. 1t is our duty to submit to the laws,
however unjust we may think them, and to the
decision Of the majority, however adverse 1t
may be to our earnest hopes and wishes.
We do not indulge the hope expressed By
some that the next administration will not be
poGticaily Radical ia It's character or course, or
that Gen. Grant will run counter, or be in
opposition to, the general policy Of the leaders
of the party which has triumphantly elected
him. That probably would be expecting too
much, under present circumstances. But 1t
NAV he, that in details, Gen. Grant will not
lie disposed to push matters to the ertremeS,
that some Of the ultras wish, in the future con
duet Of The government If 50, we shall be
pleased, even for that much. The new PTesI-
dent and his administration, We do not believe
will be met by the people of the South, with
pre- arranged, or concerted, or indlscnmlnatt
opposition, irrespective Of the merits or demeg-
itSof their acts. We think they will be judged
fairly and honestly. Ofcourse, the principles
-
of the Radical party, as affecting the govern
ment and the rights OF the States, will be as
steadily opposed, by reason and argument, a;
ever-as no man holding the views that We do
aud as the Southern people, generally, do, car
reasonably be expected to pursue any othel
course-and the errors OF faults or corruption!
of legislative or executive agents, will be az
freely discussed and condemned, lit the liberty
is allowed) es ever But we are quite sure tina
whatever of magn2nimity, or fair dealing, o.
Justice, or correct administration, may be ex
bibited by the new President, will be as much
commended in the South, as it will be, by the
friends of the Constitution 10 the North, The
tree will be judged by its fruits.
And now We say to our fellow-citizeus
wherever these lines can reach them, and espes
cially to our fellow-citizens of Yirginia-be no
east down, or dismayeds or driven to uumanly
depression, by result which we could not al
ter or avoid. There is still enough to hope TO-
IN the future. We still have our material in
terests to look after. We still have our glori
Gus, honored venerated old State, to cherish
and maintain We still have its fortunes t
raise-its industry to eneourage-its capacltie
to extend-its resources to develOpe. w
have still the nObest incentives to the proseeu
ton of all peaceful pursuits-education, agrl
culture, commerce, manufactures, aud the me
chauic arts The rest-what relates to poh
tics-wi come in time.