Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-09
PUBLIC LEDGER.
ruE pEMOCKATIC PARTY.

We often hear through the newspapers
and from Republican sources that the
Democratic party is dead, but tor an
inauimate body it occasionally gives
some lively kicks. The mourners have
been summoned together great many
times, but have always had to 90 home
without attending the funeral. The
Radicals announce it's death one day,
and the next they have to fight the
defuuct party with all the means and
power they can command. The Pitts
burg Post, a sterling Democratic journal,
has the following sensible remarks on
the late Northern elections:
The elections of this fall demonstrate
one fact very clearly: that the Demo
cratic party, so far from being dead, as
its eppon ents so idly claim, is both Wig
orous and gaining strength with each
battle it fif hts. The result in Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio, although it fell below
the warm expectations of many Demo
Gratis. was far more satisfactory to Dem
ocrats than Republicans. 1t showed
that while the Democratic party was
progressing in strength, the Republican
party was going backward at an alarm
ing rate. A bare msjority in each State
was all that saved the Administration
from ignominous defeat. These pitiable
msiorities, too, were purchased at the
expense of much money and official
spoils, and at the sacrifice of honesty
itself In reality, the Administration
sustained defeat in both Pennsylvania
and Ohio. The Democracy fought an
aggressive campaign against an en-
trenched enemy, and instead of sustain-
ing a repulse, advanced their standards
to the very psrapets Of his inner line
of works, where they still float de6antly,
proclaimiDg victory with the next charge.
In New York the victory is complete.
The Republican party exhausted all its
ingenuity in putting ticket in the field,
Trusting to local prejudice and personal
popularity TO insure success. But 1t
availed them nothing. STEADY Demo-
cratic gains all over the State" was the
fret message flashed over the wires, and
last years msjoriiy was largely in.
creased. Neither tie names of Greeley
nor Segel could proselyte people to the
Republican faith. No appeals could be
made seductive enough TO lead even the
most wavering into the support of the
Administration.
The Republican States of Wisconsin
and Minnesota could not hold their own,
but lost steadily upon their msjority of q
year ago. Grants 1900 majority in
Massachusetts dwiudles down into almost
nothing, and Governor Clsfin himself
loses nearly 10000 upon bis own msjor-
ity of last year. Maryland shows an 10
creased Democratic majority, while 10
Illinois the utter generalization and dis
organization Of the Republican party is
plainly indicated. West Virginia, too,
is a marked example of the waning
strength of Rsdicslism. Tennessee,
Virgins and California, have each de-
clared themselves emphaticslly against
the administration OF Grant.
Taken altogether, the Democracy.
during the entire campaign, gained
steadily without losing and the Repub-
licaDs lost steadily without gaining 10
single instance. While the Democracy
are fresh and vigilsnt and confident,
their opponents are weakened and de-
and only hold together BY the
cohesive attraction Of public pluuder.