Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-03-22
The New Hampshire Election.


The result Of the state election in New
Hampshire last week may properly be dcsig.
mated as a Democratic triumph, for, although
there is no election Of governor, there is every
indication that the legislature which will be
called upon to elect, will be democratic by
four or five majority on joint ballot, which
amounts to the same thing We have in adj.
dition lost three members Of Congress, the
entire Democratic delegation being elected by
maioritics ranging from l7j to to $50.
This result is just what has threatened to
take place at almost every election since 1854
The Republican majority in this state has
never been large, aud they have been able to
keep the ascendaucy only through resort to
the most earnest exeriious
Under such circumstances, it was always
possible that something might occur that
would bring about Republican defeat. Such
has been the case this year, when matters
have been peculiarly adverse to the party that
had won long series Of victories, but which
owed each and all Of these victories to good
discipline and hard fighting. The Democrats
have the reward of their determination not to
accept defeat and their persistoney aud val.
or should teach US a useful lesson. The enc.
my who beats us is a sort Of schoolmaster Of
the old school, whose lickiugs, while painful
at the moment Of their infection, are yet, not
without reason, supposed to work out for Us
ultimately great and permanent good.
We are not, however, Of that number who
are disposed to imagine that this result eyinces
any great change in the minds Of the voters
of the country, or prcsagcs any disruption or
overthrow Of the Republican party.
The danger lies not in any inherent fault |
Of the party, but in the dissensons among
its members, which long lease Of power
had generated, and which no fear of defeat
could allay. We had, too, relaxed discipline,
and allowed minor questions to assume undue
Importance We had, while united upon all |
vital questions, quarrelod upon points them
selves comparatively insignificant and un-
worthy of controversy. In the halo Of our
ustrous achievements and the repeated demon.
STATIONS of popular fidelity, some of our rep
resentatiyes had thought they might safely
indulge their personal caprices and trihe with
the superhuous strength Of the party. At
such moment comes this defeat to sober
their couded judgment and arouse them from
fatal delusion. 1t teaches, not that the PEG.
pie are recreant to their past convictions and
associations that the Republican party is
in serious danger Of overthrow, but that it has
no such lavish fortune Of strength that it can
afford to play the spendthrt aud waste its
substance upon foolish and needless objects.
If it shall be accepted in this light, it will
prove blessing instead of a curse If it |
shall impress our representatives with the
paramount importance Of cordial and harmo-
NOUS union-if it shall bring the President
aud the representatives in Congress into still
closer reations-if it shall enforce the obliga-
tion Of just and considerable action towards
all-if it shall teach Republicans everywhere
the duty Of untiring watchfulness aud effort.
1t will be great and durable benefit The
atmosphere had become murky. Something
was needed to clear away its noisome and tn.
md heayiness The result in New Hampshire
Is well calculated to subserve this purpose.
and so received it will fulfill the analogy of
the thunder storm which often breaks from
sky long lowering and threatening, and then
ushers IN new period of susny brightness
and glory. 1t was better that defeat should
come now than hereafter. No sober patriot
can contemplate the possibility of Democratic
ascendancy in the nation, with its untold ca
lamities at the South and its appalling peris
to the national faith and the national security,
without the gravest alarm. New Hampshire
warns and admonishes US to discard all per.
sonal conflicts aud all minor differences, and
SO, standing side by side upon the command
ing issues, save the Republic from its worst
danger. If future victory shall be made Sc.
cure by present defcat,-as il will be, if Re.
publicans are wise--then the Granite State
will have rendered US the best service Of which
it was capable
Southern Reconsideration