Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-10-23
From ;ieN.N. World. ost. 18th.
The Democratic change of Front.

In inQuiriuE why, having come ~o near >uc-
cess in these elections, We have Just mlssci it.
two reasons appear, 90 the absence Of either of
which our triumph would have been certain
These reasons are such as to show that "a majority
Of the people are really on our side, and have
been repelel from our support ly things having
no proper connection with the merit, tf the
canvass. Il the military prestige Of General
Grant had been ont Of the scale We should have
succeeded or, that remaining, if the pcryer-
sion> ID General Bair's position had been out OF
the scale, We should have succeeded T. would
be paying poor compliment 90 General Grant.
or to the judgment of the party that nominated
him, to say that his popularity has ~, been
worth To the Republicans Of Peuusyltauii half
the mcagrc majority by which they have carried
the State Put half Of that small mailrltv on
the other side. and the two parties would be
equal. II that small number Of votes are due 10
the popularity Of General Grut-aud it would
be ridiculous TO suppose the contrary-tlc cec-
tion, had it been decided on the issues, would
have been in favor the Democratic party The
same remark will apply TO the other States. ON
the Democratic principles, pure and simple, We
should have succeeded. We have been beaten
by reasons quite extrneous to the questions IN
issue
We could have easily overcome the popularity
Of Gen. Grant, if another point had not been
raised to divert attention from the issues. The
position Of Gen. Blair and some Of the southern
leaders has been industriously perverted and
misrepresented and an impression produced
that the Democratic party L. virtually pledged
TO overthrow the new State governments by
force This SANDER has repelled more than
votes enough to have turned the balance in our
favor. The narrow escape Of the Republicans
from great defeat Is not due Ia their principles.
but to the military prestige Of Grant and the
aspersions cast upon Blair. In simple contest
Of principle we should have su ceeled; and we
may succeed yet if we can remove or neutralize
these adverse influences, which have really
nothing to do with the merits Of the public
questions.
Can this be doney 1t Is a grave question
fraught with the most momentous consequences.
We commend it to the attention, 10 the most
earnest reflection, Of the recognized leaders of
the party. We have still nearly three weeks for
action; and where SO slight couuterpoise
would suffice TO turn the scale. prompt action
if 1t be judicious rs well as prompt-will accom-
plish wonders
IT. in a review Of the whole situation, it shall
be concluded that mistakes have been made il
is better that they should be corrected now, than
that the country should be dragged through four
more weary years Of strife, to be redeemed then
by measures Of the same kind that might, by a
magnificent exercise Of pluck. be easily
adopted now. Whatever sagacious forecast
may perceive to be the proper course for the
Democratic party four hears hence, if it should
be beaten now, had better be pursued at once.
The time has come-the hour has struck-when
we must turn our faces resOutey TO the future.
This is a young country, with a great career be- .
fore it which no Imagination can grasp ma
jority Of our voters are young men ahounding
in hope, enterprise, ardor, activity and the .
country being in the dawn Of 4 new era, when .
all minds are filed with expectation and excite .
ment, that party has the best chances Of great
future which is most in sympathy with the
youthful, irrepressible energies Of the nation.
A growing nation, like an improving individual,
has always something to learn. A political party
which does not advance with the nation, and
enter into the fulness Of it, expanding, exuber-
ant life, is on the decliviiy which descends to
decadence and decrepitude The Democratic
party is full Of vigorous. youthful, aspiring ele-
ments similar elements in the other party are
yearning to join it, if will but have the bold
ness to build bridge on which they can cross.
The Democratic party cannot die; its vitality, /