The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-11-07
After the Battle.

| suit OF the election. The estimate of the
New York World, made at midnight ON
| Tuesday, is that Grant carries all the
northern states, with South Carolina and
Mississippi, in all 253 electoral votes.
| Greeley carries all the Southern States
with the above exceptions, or 113 cleo
| toral votes.
This result surprises no one. 1t was so
we'll indicated by the October contest, as
to have been a foregone conclusion from
that day
1t would not perhaps be correct to say
that the management of the opposition
could have been controlled to different
result. But that we could have gone be-
tore the country with a platform and a
candidate better calculated to win in the
contest, is an assertion to which few will
not now assent. We mean no disparage-
ment to the Liberal Republicans who
bodily lett their associates and cast their
fortunes with the union of those who saw
the need of a change in the administra-
ton, They acted nobly, and deserve all
praise. That mistakes. very serious ones,
Were made at Cincinnati, is painfully APP
parent-but not more perceptible now to
a portion OF those who became Mr.. Gree
ley's supporters than when his nomination
was fresh.
Our candidates strong points were his
undoubted personal honesty, and his
strong sympathy with the people-both
proven in long public career,-and his
superior fitness to en- Grant But that
which should not have been overlooked
was his management for long years of
newspaper bitterly hostile to the Demo-
cratic party, upon the pages of which
were scattered broadcast the widest and
most insane charges against his oppon-
ents. OF course these were turned upon
him with terrible effect. They served to
keep alive the distrust of Mr.. Greeley
which was part of the political educa-
ton of every Democrat. The candidate
of a coalition should he one the even and
temperate tenor of whose way had not
taught one portion of his supporters to
hate the other. Such men there were, and
they had been prominently named for the
position.
If we turn from the candidate to the
platform, we are scarcely better salts
fed Tho LOADING iJna hat of
ton Of the country, met appreciation
! on all hands. But the principal point
concerning the ordinary administration
OF the government. should have been
that of q reduction OF the tariff to reason
able rates. The Democratic party ex-
pected it, the people of the country wanted
it. There was no good reason why the
| question of tariff more than any other
should be evaded by consigning it to the
people OF the congressional districts. 1t
! compelled the Presidential candidate to
declare, champion of high tariff as he is,
that he would approve and sign any bill
on the subject which might be passed, al
though opposed to his views. 1t was
practically saying that Us President he
would have no approval Or disapproval in
matters concerning which the constitu-
ton declares that he shall have and ex-
else one or the other. The people of the
larger portion of the country were hum
| gering for the bread of low tariff, and
were given the stone of non-committalism
We say this in no spirit of fault-finding.
| But if we are ever to succeed we must
profit by experience, and experience can
profit us nothing if we do not look over
the past and calmly consider its lessons.
Our opponents are not likely to present
more points of vantage for attack at an
other time than on this occasion. There
were enough of them, and the breaches in
their wall of defence were wide enough.
we failed not so much from their strengt Ii,
rs because OF our own weakness.
1t is no time to forecast the future. In
deed there Is rarely opportunity to do so.
The future works out itself. Other issues
and probably new men are to arise. Party
lines may adjust themselves anew. But
the old, time-honored and kindly ideas of
conservatism, of the restoration and pre-
servation ofthe government of our fathers,
of the defence of the interests and rights
OF the people against all assaiIants-will
never die. They will come anew to the
combat, and those who have stood shoulder
to shoulder on so many lost fields, will
prevail in the fullness of time.