The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-10-26
The Late Elections.

defeated party to attempt to assigu
causes for that defeat As a general
thing, i is best simply to acknowledge
the fact, and prepare.to fght the battle
over again when another election comes
round. Tho late elections 10 Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio, and Iowa, however, are
exceptions to this rule; the causes Of
defeat are too apparent to be overlooked
BY tie most casual observer, and il is
proper that We should advert to them
IN this connection. Ohio aud Penn.
sylvania were the first States to accept
the "New Departure" hersey of Cle-
mont L. Yallandigham, and ihero is
no question thai the party was dcmora-
liked by il 10 both those States, as we'll
as in Iowa. Other causes may have
contributed to swell the majorities
against US, but this was the chief cause
Of our defeat. II is alleged that the
Federal Government sent United States
vessels to be repaired at the Philadel.
phia Navy Yard, in order to swell the
Radical vote in that city. This is true,
but il is not sufficient to account for the
general result. In Ohio, Gen. McCook,
tho Democratic candidate for Governor,
broke down in health, shortly after the
opening Of tho campaign, and reports
were industriously circulated that he
had become insane. This misfortune to
Gen. McCcok, of course had an adverse
influence, but not sufficient to account
for our great loss in that State, which
is mainly attributable to the dissensioDs
and disqualification growing out of the
:" New Departure" which originated
there, aud which was advocated BY
Groesbeck and Pendlcton, and opposed
BY Judge Thurman aud others. The
same cause had its effect 10 Iowa, also.
ank there can be no reasonable doubt
that to it must be mainly attributed the
adverse issue Of nearly all the elections
held this fall.
The same view is further enforced by
an able editorial 10 the Dela1arean.
which we here annex:
Defeat 10 the resul, of elections Is at all times
disagreeaole to the party defeated, and We con-
fees our regret at the result In several OF the
States where elections have recently been
held. We honestly believe that the success OF
tho Democratic party In the next Presidential
election is absolutely necessary to the preser-
vation Of the rights reserved In the Constitu-
tion TO the States and the people-that the
complete Capitalization Of power in Congress
aud tho Federal Executive Is the purpose and
aim OF the present administration and that
Pertioa Of the Republican party that shapes
aud determines its policy. Hence we cannot
view with any Indifference any indication
which foreshadows a continuance Of the Radi.
cal party in power, nor feel anconcerned at
the result Of elections In other States, however
local may have been the issues upon which
such election may have turned. We need not
therefore say that we regret the result of the
elections on Tuesday. We could have wished
IL otherwise, but candor compels Us to saw we
did not expect Democratic victory in either
Pennsylvania, Ohio or Iowa. In each OF those
States the Democracy had faltered, had been
unture 10 their own past record, and have now
reaped the fruits, In a Republican victory, of
their own abandonment of former principles
The adoption by the Democratic Conventions
in those States of resolutions not only recor-
uizing the so-called 18th and 18th Amsudments
TO the Constitutions As de Jacto amendments,
and as such to be observed until rendered null
and void BY the Supreme will Of the people Of
the country, but absolutely declaring th,se
amendments (which the Democracy every
where have said we're fastened on the country
by fraud) as 6nality, and virtually pIedgina
tbs Democracy In those States to abide by and
sustain those amendments in the future. we
are aware that each Of those States we're Re-
publican In 1870, and thatit might hare been 4
too much to expect that the Radical maiorities
Of that year could have been entirely overcome
in the recent elections, yet we hesitate not TO
declare u as oar conviction that, battling un-
der the same banner that waved orer che Dem
ccracy In the canvass Of last year, cur friends
in Pennsy wanna, ohio and Iowa, instead of
the modification Of defeat by Increased Radi.
cal ma;orities, would have 60 reduced the
majcrities against them that IL victory had NOT
been rendered sure in 1879, there would have
been just ground to hope that such might be
tuc rcsutt1 tsptcihiil IN PENNSYLVANIA.
While the conventions In the States named. 4
by bare majorities, adopted the "new depart.
are resolutions" we feal confident that the |
great body Of Democrats In those States we're
ehagrined and disappointment what they could
not fail 70 regard as an abapdenment Of prin-
ciple. If apathy and indifference, resulting in
reduced Democratic vote has been the con-
sequence, IL may be q matter Of regret bat Is |
not at all surprising. We are aware that the
iafamoas Registry law in Philadelphia gave
the Radicals OF that city ample power to per
Petrats frauds, but this does not account for
the Radical gain in other parts of the State,
nor will the protracted illness Of the Democrat
&c candidate Tor Governor In Ohio account for
the overwhelming defeat Of our friends in that
state. The true cause Is to be found some-
where else, and we hesitate not to express il as
our belief that II Is found In the "new depart-
ure" doctrines enumerated in the platforms of
the party in those States.
The Democratic leaders and papers In Ohio
and Pennsylvania may seek TO explain the re- |
sults Of elections on other grounds bat no sat
isiactory explanation can be made that does
not admit the blunder made by their STATE
Conventions in adopting what Is COMMONLY
known as the "new departure doctrine.''
In every State that has yet held an election. |
where the Democracy has recognized the
fraudulent amendments Ms tinal and conclusive.
the party has been defeated and immense Rad
zeal gains have been made. In California. n
Democratic State, we lost the election. partIy.
perhaps, from local questions, but doubtless.
In no small degree, the defeat was attributable
20 the new departure movement; while in i
themselves and denounced the amendments a
frauds 70 be endured only IN I'll the Democracy
came into power, the party won victory m
s t.n,. BY even g@asf acceptance Of the
Il the result. Of the elections in Pennsylvania
and r.. .lx.II A.. Al. IN =