Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-11-17
THE NEXT HOUSE OF REPRE.
SENTATIVES.

We have seen many statements in re-
gard to the political complexion of the
next House cf Representatives, many of
them estimating the Democratic gains at
a figure the facts in the case do not war
rant The most correct statement we have
seen is in a Washington despatch to the
Cincinnati Commercial, which places the
number of Democrats in the House, at
n~inety-two, allowing then, all they have
in the present Congress from the States
which have not yet held their elections.
A full house consists Of two hundred and
forty-three members. This leaves the Re-
publlcans a majority of ffty-nine, a plenty
for all practical purposes as matters now
stand, having no Andrew johnson with a
''policy Of his own to enforce against the
will of the people," we have little use for
a two-thirds majority. 1t was expected
that the Democracy would gain a number
of members in this election. Being IN the
minority, as is always the case, they were
more ~yigilant than the Republicans, and
therefore voted their full strength. The
elections for members of Congress W
years proceeding the Presidential election,
has always been fraught with disaster to
the Republicans, especially since we have
had so large a majority in Congress. The
reason is obvious. A feeling of security
pervades the whole Republican ranks, and
they cannot be awakened to the necessity
of making an effort either to increase their
maiorities or even to maintain that which
they have. Then again the Democratic
strength, as a general thing, isin the large
cities and consists of the more ignorant class
of voters who are completely under the
c~1n,soll of city rings which leave no means
untried to secure 4 full attendance at the
polls, which are also more convenient than
in the country. The Republican strength
is confined to the rural districts where to
attend an election, involves a loss of moro
or less time which farmers are not willing
to devote to politics except upon extraor-
binary occasions, such as the election of a
President and Vice President. At such
times we have never since 1860. failed to
increase our majorities in Congress, and
to elect the Republican candidates for
President and Vice President of the Uni
ted States.
In 1872 we shall again be called upon
to administer another defeat to the De-
mocracy who are striving SO hard to gain
CONTROL of the country. The result of
this election has given them great hopes
but they are built upon a sandy founda-
ton. That party will have to change its
entire policy-show a little less reverence
for the Lost Cause" and a little more
genuine love for the United States Gov.
eminent and for Republican institutions,
before it can hope to again secure the con-
fidence of a majority of the American peo-
pie. By the time another Presidential
election will take place, the present Ad-
ministration will have had time to mature
its policy of conducting the affairs of the
Government on the most economical plan,
and will prove to every one not blinded by
prejudice, or interested in its downfall,
that it is laboring for the best interests of
the American people, not only in securing
a lasting peace, but III saving the country
from reputation and consequent national
disgrace.