The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-12-22
[From the Woman's Journal ]
A Look Ahead.

The elections held throughout the
country in October and November show
that the expectations of those who be-
lieved the people ready for an immediate
reorganization of parties have not been
realized. The political status is substan-
TALLY unchanged The Republicans have
lost Missouri by bolt" and they have
recovered New Jersey They were beaten
in Indiana by trifing majority, so that
the State is now, as it has been for years,
doubtful, and they have saved themselves
in Pennsylvania and Ohio without much
difficulty. The South shows signs of re-
turning, by-and-by, to the Democratic
party; New York remains in the possess
ion of that party by about the usual ma
iority, and Massachusetts shows Repub-
lican gain in the popular vote and in the
Legislature, in spite of what appeared to
be quite formidable schism.
Not to dwell longer on special results
we may say that all the indications point
to another contest in the year 1872 sub
stantially between the Republican and
Democratic parties. Neither Revenue
Reform, nor Prohibition, nor Labor, nor
Woman Suffrage, judging from present
appearances, will avail, singly or combined,
to change this aspect of affairs These
questions, one or all of them, may shift
maiorities from one side to the other:
may strengthen the Republican party and
give it new lease of power, or bestow the
victory upon its opponent-but one or
the other of these parties will win the
national victory two years from the pres
ent month.
The next Congress will be devoted very
largely to preparations for the great con-
test. 1t is possible that the losses which
the Republican party have met with
while they have not been sufficient to
prevent it from having working ma.
iority" in both branches, will prove to be
a positive benefit to it, in modifying its
views and its legislation on subjects con
nected with the material interests OF the
country. If this turns out to be the case
the party will probably do as well in 1871
as it has done in 1870; if otherwise, il
must lose ground and prepare for des
perate struggle with its old opponent. Il
is impossible to guess whether wisdom oil
folly will rule the hour, and we will mo-
speculate on these points
Keeping strictly in view the question
of EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMAN, we canno
think that this postponement of the re
organization of parties until after 1872
this continuance of the transition perioC
is any loss to our cause. Plainly it wa'
not ready, this autumn, to take advan
tage of any disruption of the dominan
party, if such disruption had occurred
We have every reason to be grateful for
if not to be satisfied with, the progress o
right and just ideas throughout the coun
try on the Woman question. The bes
minds are giving attention to the prob
lem. The newspapers treat itrespectiully
The Legislatures hear if they do no
Weld. The political conventions admi
our delegates, and the candidates il
many cases give us not only respectful
but favorable answers. We do not juml
to the conclusion that the Legislatures
the candidates or the parties, who hav
begun to listen and nod assent, are goini
to grant our requests without delay. Blu
we know that they are the creatures o
public opinion to q great degree, ant
that their demeanor indicates chang
in the public mind towards our cause
which gives us every reason to suppos
that it is rapidly advancing.
1t is nevertheless true that up to tn
very last month, the proposition to ol
ganize politically, and to enter the fel'
as party, was so absolutely surprise t.
. friends and foes alike, that we were in n
condition to take advantage, as we hav
= said, of what might turn up" II tn
Republican party had been defeated thi
fall, losing, or nearly losing Congress;
Pennsylvania and Ohio and one or two
the Western States, as we'll as New Yorl
had gone Democratic, and if Massacht
setts had given indications of a near pol
ular revolution, that which goes by tn
name of Revenue Reform would have IL
sisted upon entering the ARENA side b
side with demand for reform in tn
= Civil Service, while from the other sid
= Labor Reform and Anti-England, undet
Gen. Buffers lead, would have sought, !
its turn, to occupy the field. In certai
States, other questions, like that OF Pr
hibition, would have been ready also
take their place. We have no belief th'
we should have been ready, or that OF
cause could have got ready to take an
except a subordinate share in tho gener