The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-08

AAAb OplulOu Iebtb Oh various OOQSluofaLlO05,
some OF which we will state.
In the first place, we were late in the can
vass, without any clear indications beforehand
OF the nature OF our platform or the persons of
our candidates. The Republican party had
pretty unanimously settled upon Grant as
early as February, and by the time Of his
formal nomination in May the feeling in his
favor had risen as high as II was likely to go.
Everything favorable to him had been made
the most Of during the preceding year, by the
Republican journals that had advocated his
nomination; and the public mind had become
quite familiar with 1T. Mr.. Seymour's nom-
nation, on bhe other hand, was unexpected
and gave to many minds a shock Had the
election been held three days afterwards he
would not have received as many votes by
thirty per cent. as will be given to him in
November. Some time was requisite for por-
tions Of the party to outgrow their previous
preference for other candidates. Some time
was also necessary for exploding the libels
invented against Governor Seymour during
the war. While his antagonist stood as high
in public favor as he could ever become, time
and effort were necessary for bringing the
character of Mr.. Seymour before the country
in its true light. Grant could gain nothing in
personal estimation during the canvass Sey-
mour could gain much, for none OF our public
men have been more unjustly and wantonly
aspeared.
In the next place, the issues of the cam
paign stood in light much more favorable
to the Republicans at the beginning OF the
campaign than they have since, or can again.
Up to July, there were no clearly exhibited
symptoms of the sudden breakdown of the
negro State Governments by their own inhe-
rent weakness. The Chicago Convention un-
derstood their defects so little that it put
in the foreground of the Republican plat
form warm congratulations on the trium-
phant success of the Reconstruction policy
of Congress. Even so late as the assembling
OF the Democratic National Convention, an
astute, practical man like General Blair
could discover no method of displacing the
negro governments but by military force.
The course of events in the South is
wonderfully enl1ghtening public opinion
since. ANY Republican who should now con-
gratulate the country on the happy success of
reconstruction would be laughed to scorn as a
simpleton. Nor would au opponent of the
scheme who should now proclaim that nothing
but military force is adequate to upset it, gain
any respect for his opinion. In all such mat
ters experience is the great teacher; and every
body is wiser now on the subject of recon
struction than anybody was three or four
months ago. Experience has shown that the
problem how negro governments shall be
overtbrown is not difficult. The difficulty is,
to discover any method by which they can be
sustained. They have a constant tendency to
tumble, like an ill-buit tower, spontaneously
into ruins. Force is not needed to demolish
them; but it is doubtful whether any force
could be sufficient to keep them standing. 1t
is demonstrated that the publio sentiment of
the South is so unalterably hostile to them,
that great standing army will have to be
maintained in that section SO long as any at
tempts are made to keep them in existence.
Before the canvass opened, these recon-
structed governments were regarded as
''fxed fact" which it would require revolu-
tionary measures to disturb. The progress of
events has shown that the "fxed fact" is the
immovable repugnance of the Southern people
to the permanence of the system. The aspira-
tion of the country is for peace, as was recog
nized in the closing sentence of General
Grants letter of acceptance. AT the time that
letter was written the prevalent impression
was that the new governments were esta-
blished, and that armies, if used at all, could
be employed only for their demolition. But it
has now become evident that If armies are used
at all, it must be to keep the negro governments
in existence. Peace can come only by abandon
ing an abortive experiment. That part of the
people who are tired of the burden of armies,
can find the relief they seek only by such a
change of policy as will ensue on the election
of Democratic President. The election of
General Grant would pledge the Government
to four years longer persistence in fruitless,
odious, exaspera,ing experiment. The coun-
try sees already what its effect is on the pub
lie sentiment of the South, and the longer it
is continued the more inveterate and stubborn
will be the opposition to it, Peace must,
therefore, come in very different direction
from what was supposed at the outset of this
canvass, when the practical operation and
crumbling weakness of the new governments
had not been disclosed. Every day strengthens
the feeling of the country that Congressional
reconstruction is not peace. Every day of the
canvass, therefore, improves the prospects Of
the Democratic party.
In the third place, the Democracy constantly
grow in favor by exposures of the waste, ex-
travagance, and prodigality Of the Republican
party. This is a mode of appeal that comes
home to the business and pockets, to the
tables, fresides, and comfort of the whole
body of taxpayers. The enormous revenue
scandal as well as a great burden, and the
longer the canvass continues the more thorough
will be the conviction that relief is impossible
without a change of rulers.
The elections next week will show an i'm
mense progress in public opinien on all these
subjects; but great as will be the demon
strated gains of the last month, those of the
ensuing month will be greater. The Repub-
lican party was at the height of its influence
at the beginning of the canvass, and, in spite
of its strenuous exertions, it has not main
tanned its own; while the Democracy have
been constantly gaining, and will gain more
and more as the issues are better understood.
Reaction in the South in Favor of General
Grant.
From the NJ p. Herald.
We gave yesterday an article from staunch
Democratic paper, published in Louisville, KY,