The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-02
Tne Approaching state Elections and
Thor Bearing Upon the Presidential

Tne Approaching state Elections and
THOR Bearing Upon the Presidential
Contest.
The next move on the political chessboard
will be the State elections in Vermont and
Maine-the first tomorrow, September 8, and
the second on Monday, September o. As both
of these States are as decisively republican as
Maryland and Kentucky are democratic the
result of their local elections will not have any
marked effect on the Presidential contest I'M
less In the event of either of them showing
large increase or marked decrease in the
strength of the dominant party. Vermont has
beenleft in q great measure to itself, no very
active efforts having been made on either side
to stir up the enthusiasm of the electors; hence
we may conclude that in that State the vote
will be cast in accordance with the honest con-
victions of the citizens, based upon their own
Judgment of the merits of the case. In Maine
an active canvass has been going on for
some time. The candidate of the liberal
republicans has been on pilgrimage
through the State-now eating clams now
attending Tea parties, now talking to
| the farmers or the school children, and now
making well-timed and happy political
address. All the arts that he could use to
induce the people to vote in such o manner as
would aid his cause have, no doubt. been re-
sorted to, and it is not likely that his work
has been without effect His opponents have
been equally active. General Grant has not
been in Maine in person, it Is true; but his
representatives have been active in the State.
| His best orators have been on the stump; his
shrewdest political managers have been en-
gagged in pulling the wires, and liberal
supply of material aid has been forthcoming
to second the efforts of his local friends. It is
thought, therefore, that the contest in Maine
may have some influence on the Presidential
question, and the liberals are looking to
result in that State which will materially aid
them in Indiana and Pennsylvania, while the
administration party declare that their largely
increased majority both in Vermont and
Maine will show the hopelessness of the
liberal movement, and finally dispose of Mr.
Greeley's chance in November without waiting
for the October tests.
While q large increase or O marked decrease
in the customary republican majorities in
either of these States would, as we have said,
be likely to have its influence on the Presiden-
tial issue, the result will not otherwise be
material In the event of republican victory
that would throw all former Hlumphs into the
shade it would be concluded that the repub-
ican organization is still intact and that the
= secession of 30 many of its prominent leaders
. has not shaken the fidelity of the rank and
. file. On the other hand, an important falling
|. off in the old republican vote would be &C
!; copied as an indication that the power OF
: republicanism Is broken, and would induce
the conviction that the republican detection
: will be enough to turn all close and doubtful
States over to the Greeley side. But o repub-
: lican victory in both States by on ordinary
majority would leave the situation unchanged,
3 and compel us to await the October cleo
tons in Indiana and Pennsylvania be-
. fore being in condition to form an
intelligent estimate of the real strength of the
' Cincinnati movement and Of the prospects of its
candidates in November. The North Carolina
: election may fairly be called drawn battle,
4 although its result was more favorable to the
-. liberals than to the administration, for the
I; reason that large republican majority had
been so confidently predicted there and so gen.
: orally anticipated. The doubtful success of
, Caldwell despite the democratic victory in
the State Legislature and in the Congressional
districts, served to save the adn,iristro+'~-
marty from u,.-. .,llynt nave been q fatal blow;
yet there is no doubt that the failure to keep
! up the vote Of the republican side operated as
OF least temporary check upon the Presiden-
tial prospects Of that organization. Since the
North Carolina contest there has been no OPP
: portunity to test the sentiments of the people,
for the West Virginia election was of course
all democratic; but the Greeley side has appa-
rently been latterly losing ground, and
hence the trials in Vermont and
Maine are probably regarded with more
anxiety than they are legitmately
entitled to occasion. In view of the
! growing feeling that the financial and COM
mercial interests are preparing to make up
their minds that the country is prosperous
; enough and that change of administration is
. not desirable at this time, it may well be the
earnest hope of the friends of the opposition
that Maine, and even Vermont may come to
the rescue and by q decreased majority show
| that the sterling republicans of those States
have lost confidence in the present manage
ment of their party. ...v
A glance ct the vote in the steadfast State of
Vermont ever since the republican party was
first organized is sufficient to show what is to
be expected Of the Green Mountain boys at
this time, when General Grant is again at the
head Of that party for reelection. In 1856
the majority for Fremont was 20, 600 In