The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-11-07
The Liberal Waterloo.

The October elections in Pennsylvania
and Indiana were fair test OF the strength
of the Liberal movement, and the huge
Radical majority in the former State, where
the efforts OF the Administration were con-
centrated, showed that the Northern people
we're not ripe for anything like political
revolution. From that moment there was
very little expectation that Grant would be
defeated. The result OF the election OF Tues
day is, therefore, no startling surprise; but
to the South it will seem strange that there
should have been not only collapse OF Lib
eralism, but, also, decided reaction In
favor of the present President. This is at
tributable to several canses, amongst which
it Ia not wise to count any hostility OF feel
ing towards the Southern States. 1t doubt
less will be said that the hearty greeting
which was given by the "ex-rebels to Mr.
Greeley is the main reason OF his decline
and fall. This is an idea which the Radical
politicians have encouraged, but we cannot
believe that it exerted any widespread in
fluence. There is, in truth, neither rhyme
nor reason in hearkening to the suggestions
OF passionate irritstion. II Southerners
insist on chatting the Yankee" J" with might
and main, mersly because Grant receives a
majority Of the electoral vote, the Southern
States cannot and will not enjoy internal
peace or material prosperity. It is not
necessary to fall back upon the hypothesis
of hate. The overthrow Of Mr.. Greeley is
expllcable and ineligible In wholly differ
erent way.
For some time it has been evident that
the capitalists OF the country had no conf
dence In the Liberal candidates. Money is
timid, and there was an unreasoning fear
that MIR. Greeley might disturb the finances
or allow the country to drift into foreign
war. In these apprehensions THE NEWS
did not share, inasmuch as it believes
bigoted 5lockhead to be far more dangerous
than a man Of large brain and ripe knowl-
edge. But the possessors OF plethoric
purses could not be convinced, and their
influence was thrown against Greeley. The
straight-out movement had no serious bear
ing upon the canvass. There, were, how
ever, tens OF thousands who stayed at home
on election day. Being confident that,
whether Radical or Liberal was chosen,
they would have sound and upright local
governments, these could afford to indulge
in political sentimentalism. In the South,
on the other hand, local reform has been
impossible under Radical rule, and the Con-
servative citizens we're ready to seize any
opportunity of changing the character OF
the Federal Government, which they justly
hold responsible for the worst OF the evils
which aflict them. The South has voted
nearly solidly for Greeley; the man who was
an open foe in the days Of her might, and is
a generous friend in the time OF her adver-
sity. There is ne force in the argument
that ''straight-out" Democrat would have
beaten Grant. The returns show this 1t
is true that the Democrats might have car
ried Delaware, New Jersey and Connecticut,
but they would have had little prospect OF
success in New York, where the unfortunate
nomination Of Mr.. Herman, for Governor,
was load that they could not stand.
TIE NEWS has still an abiding faith in the
principles Of which the Liberal movement
was the exponent. Changes may take
place in party names and in the plan OF po-
litical battle, but the fundamental truths
contained in the Cincinnati Baltimore plat
form must sooner or later prevail, for by
them alone can the people OF the United
States secure and retain the blessings which
flow from domestic tranquility, solid pro-
gress, and just and honest government.