Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-10-20
Northern State Elections

tons were held in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana,
Iowa, and Nebraska These elections did moi
result as we desired or expected. We desired
that they would result in the success of the
Democrats, and we expected that such would
be the case in Indiana by handsome majority
and in Pennsylvania and Nebraska by small
majorities. We did not expect Ohio and Iowa
to vote as we desired, though we supposed that
there was probability that the Radical ma
iority in Ohio would be small. The first re-
ports of the results of these elections greatly
exaggerated the Radical majorities. The ma
jority in Pennsylvania is about 10000 instead
of $4,000; in Ohio, about $4,000 instead OF
$4,000; in Indiana about 1000 instead OF
1000. with similar reductions in Nebraska and
Iowa. The official returns may reduce these
majorities even more.
Whilst these results are unwelcome and are
greatly to be deplored by those who are labor
ing to rescue the reins from the hands OF the
Radicals who are recklessly driving the chariot
of State to inevitable destruction, yet they are
not such as should induce despair, or cause the
Democrats to relax for moment their earnest
efforts to effect the patriotic purpose they are
slaboring to accomplish All is not lost which
is in danger. The more imminent the danger,
the more reason for increased efforts to effect a
rescue. 1t is not the timid, but the bold hand
which,
From the nettle, danger,
Plucks the flower, safety"
Should the Democrats waver, doubt, hesl-
tate, despond, victory will certainly perch upon
the standard of the Radicals in the November
election, but if they WILL they certainly
should do-gird up their loins for more vigor-
Gus efforts, take counsel from Hope, perfect
the organization of their legions, march with
regular confident tread, meet the foe with
steady eye and unblenching cheek, pour In vol
leys of ballots from the rising of the sun till
the going down thereof on the day of election,
and victory may alight upon the Democratic
standard This course may lead to success
any other, we fear, to certain defeat We are
not of those who believe that the recent State
elections presage inevitable defeat to the Dem
ocratc party. They only show that the chances
are unfavorable, and that greater efforts are
neeueu TO ensure SUCCESS.
The result of State elections do not indicate
certainly the result in the Presidential election,
for there are many questions of local character,
and personal friendships, prejudices, &C., which
influence many to vote with one party in the
State elections who will vote with the other In
the Presidential election. As the Charles
town Free Press very wisely suggests, ut must
also be remembered that some of the States
recently electing their officers have, but a short
time since, repudated the leading and darling
measure of the Radical party-negro suffrage
a question which was studiously avoided
throughout the ardent and exciting canvass
closed on Tuesday last The full 0nus and
odium of that obnoxious project must, how
ever, be borne in the Presidential election; and
we will be much mistaken in the good sense
and patriotism (if indeed there is such thing
left of the people of the United States, if they
can be induced to indorse policy which must
necessarily and inevitably consign one half, and
that the fairest portion, Of the country to the
dominion of an ignorant, uneducated and mis-
led race, in whose footsteps, all history has at
tested have followed sterility and barbarism.
When a question of such magnitude as that
is forced upon the decision Of nation, we can
not resign the hope that whatever may be the
force Of party ties or the despotism of party
prejudices, they will turn from it in disgust and
alarm and with Lear exclaim,
80, that way madness lies; let me shun that"
In our opinion, the results Of the late cleo
tons do not furnish so much reason for dis
couragemcnt as the fact that such leading and
influential journals as the National Mtelhgen.
Ger, Neao York World and Bait. Gazette, rec
ommend change of the ticket at this late
stage in the campaign, which is like changing
commanders on the eve of battle upon the
result of which the destiny of nation is sus-
nended