New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-27

The Late District Election.
The first election under the new government
of the District of Columbia occurred since our
last issue, and its results, 10 all their magni.
tude, are before the country. That the cam
paign has demonstrated greater power in
vindicatlon of Republican principles in this
locality than we had anticipated, we will not
deny. That the event is exceedingly crafty
ing, We must confess. That it contains lesson
which can be studied with profit all, save the
defeated, must admit. We point to it with
feelings of profound pride and satisfact ton,
and regard it as bow of promise hung in the
political heavens.
The enemy was, in this campaign, defiant
and offensive in his bearing. He regarded the
Republican party as divided in its counsels
and broken in its strength and looked forward
with hope, that grew into confidence, that he
could subjugate the capital Of the nation to the
leashes of modern Democracy. The issue was
taken, and the people traversed the case, rem
dering verdict which is OVERLOOKING in its
consequences, and from which there is no APP
peal.
| Now for the lesson which this canvass teaches
the country. This victory comes of unity OF
feeling, purpose, and action. The Union men
of the District crystalzed their efforts in a
! common effort. They were inspired by sense
of common danger, and stepped to the front,
| leaving the baggage of detection and disorder
behind determined on victory. The Union
men of this capital do not fail to see in the
! sign. of the times that history is to repeat
itself and that the bloody OF the rebellion
are to be re enacted, unless the calamity can
be ayerted. The defiant spirit Of the Ku lux,
which now lmpersonates Democracy, and sounds
the keynote Of the coming struggles, has
warned the Union people of this locality that
great peril mpends in the future, and has
forced combination Of action and effort to
turn these dangers aside The demonstrations
of Democratic Senators from both North and
South, during the efforts OF the friends of the
Union in the late session Of Congress to enforce
the laws and preserve the rights of property
life, and permanent peace 10 the late insur-
gent States, have been such as to create alarm
and summons to action. Hence the struggle
and the victory which we record, and which
challenges the admiration and satisfaction Of
| any friend of union and peace in the Republic.
The example set by the Union men of the
District of Columbia in this important struggle
should be emulated by the Union men of every
State i'll the Union. 1t presents the touch
stone Of success. Conservatives and Radicals
old Wings, and War Democrats-all men who
we're friends during the war to crush the re-
bellion laid aside all minor considerations and
differences, and Joined hands aud hearts and
labors TO overthrow the common foe. The
power of such combination Of effort has been
vindicated in victory, and the result inspires
great JOY wherever fidelity 10 the Union and
respect for law and gilt have dwelling place
la this nation.
10 view Of this result, We now call upon the
Republicans of New England, New York, Penn
sylvania, Illinois, California-and, for that
matter, everywhere in this Union, to sound the
note Of preparation for 1872, by initiating the
example of the Union men Of this District
Cease firing upon friends; turn your weapons
agains; the Democratic party at every point
and then victory will be as easy as in 1860, Ga
and 90. We are not surprised that Democrats
should be filed with hope and confidence when
they look to the campaign of 1872. The differ
ences that have sprung up among Republicans
in the Senate, in the House, and which seem,
in some instances, to fnd focal point even at
the White House, to the alienation of old
friends and the engendering of bitter hates and
open hOstilities, are well calculated to fill the
enemy with fresh hopes of early power in the
Government. The Democratic party is hungry,
after fasting of many years, for the spois of
position, and are dattered with every indica
tion that fayors their hopes and ambitions.
The Union men Of the District of Columbia
have struck the keynote Of the next Presden-
tal campaign. They have pointed the way to
certain success, and we appeal to the Republi-
can leaders everywhere aud of every grade to
SQUAD truce to these intestine feuds and close
up the ranks in the common cause for the sue
cess of Republican principles and men in the
government Of the country. Unless that is
done the fruits of the great and bloody struggle
to preserve the Union and the Constitution
from overthrow will have been lost TO the ma
ton We must either have peace and unity
or certain defeat to the Republican cause