The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-11-25
An Off and an Odd Year.

The year 1868 is not only an "off year
in regard to partisan politics, but 1T seems
that the Radicals have much reason To call
it an odd year" also. OF overwhelming
victories is so-called doubtful States, In
which the Radicals used to carry every
thing, they can now boast of none. They
have lost New York and New Jersey en-
tirely, have had very reduced majorities
in Illinois, have not made the least pro-
gress in Maryland, have had their ranks
thinned by the desertion of anti-Liquor
and Labor movements, and only lii Wis
consin have they polled somewhat strong
er vote than at the previous State election.
But their disasters are not limited to this
Much worse than In the North have they
been treated in the South. They have not
succeeded in any Southern State in form
ing political party according to their
own image. The people in the South
have wisely weighed and considered the
various measures originated by partisan
Congress, which, having been enacted
into laws, were necessarily destined to OPP
press the South, though they were osten-
sibly proposed in the form of pledges OF
peace and prosperity The South has,
therefore, accepted the new basis of free
labor, and treats the negro question in
about the same manner as the majority
of the people of Illinois, Ohio and New
York But wheu it comes to the point
of DISTINGUISHING large classes of their
own populations, in order that room
should be made for Radical intrud
ers, and when Northern theories cease to
be tested, not according to their real value
and adaptation to the Southern States,
but according to their relation to "loyalty"
nd 20 hor Fri Nff co.
ciety refuses to submit So do almost all
the so-called Southern Radicals themselves.
In consequence certain uniformity of
political views has been established
throughout the United States, based upon
the same determinations advanced in the
South during the summer elections.
Hence the basis seems to have been de-
velOped during the recent canvass in the
Northern States, upon which, in future,
the great Conservative party of the coun-
try can stand and successfully war against
the vogue theories and ruinous tendencies
of Radicalism. If this new standpoint is
kept up, according to which every political
measure ought only to be judged by the
standard of its value in regard to the ma
jority Of the population in the various
States, and not in regard to their connec-
ton with a certain predominant political
party system, we will not only get rid of
Radical despotism, but, at the same time,
of the despOtism of every party, whatever
it may be, and wherever it makes might
the only limit of right.
These are evidently very odd lessons,
which an overbearing party has been
taught Immediately by the people. These
lessons were not given after precon-
certed plan, concOcted by prominent lead
ers, but they grew out of the very condi-
ton of things which the Radicals them
selves have brought about, and are indeed
but the echo of the selfconsciOusness of
the American people. If we have to live
as a united nation, it can only be done on
the basis of the equality of the various States
in their relation to the Union, and for the
benefit of all the citizens, united together
by the same government. OF this gov
eminent, justice, and not arbitrary rule,
ought to be the essential principle. This
was the meaning of the last elections in
the South, and proper consideration of
the results of the late elections in the
North will show to every intelligent OBJ
server that it has not been unheeded
there. If the people continue to discrim-
mate between what necessity and the pub
lie interest dictate and what is merely par
tisan management, inaugurated tor secur-
ing party supremacy, political change
will grow out of the elections of 1869,
which, though it may seem odd to the
Radicals, will lead the nation to prosperity
and the government into truly national
course in the future.-Msssouri Republican.