The Grange advance., 1873-11-19
To Whom does Victory Belong?

TO Whom does Victory BelOng
In old Democratic States, we find rout
of their hosts, or u failing off in their ma
iorities in old Republican States: we hear
either Of defeat or of decentralization In
their ranks. Where there are Democratic
losses the Republican party papers are
crying, see what victory we have won
on the other hand, where the Republicans
have met with reverse, the Democratic par
ty papers have trotted out their roosters
for genuine old Democratic crow. 1t re-
minds us Of the story that our fathers tell
of the man and his wife who were early
settlers of Ohio, and whose humble log
cabin once upon a time, was invaded by a
big black bear. The story runs that the
man sought the loft, but the wife, with
true woman's grit, seized the heavy fire
shovel and waged such fierce contest
against the intruder, that old Bruin soon
succumbed and rolled over a dead beast.
When the bear was dead and the coast
clear and safe, the husband came down
from his perch and called all the neighbors
in to see what ga big bear Sal and me
killed.
These partizan papers seem to think that
there is no other influence, no other power
in this world than that Of party. Party
runs their universe, and is more to these
men than the law of gravitation is to the
world. They have not yet learned that
parties and party politics are dead and
buried in this country, that all the issues
that constitute the life of party are de-
funct and the people are acting independ-
ent: no we will not say they have not learn
ed this, for many Of them have learned and
only hang on to the old party carcass to
scare men into voting for their pet candi-
dates, while they vote for whom they please
But the people learned these tricks and have
commenced voting for whom they please.
There has been mighty ground swell
among the masses. The people have quit
voting for politics so called, and
commenced to vote for those who they deem
to be the best men, honest men, true men,
who will run the government in accordance
with principles of common sense, economy
and Of political good faith and virtue.
They may have and doubtless have been in
some instances deceived and cheated. Pol
ho hov
pulling have the advantage and have doubt
ess in some instances foisted themselves
on the people nolens volens. But let such
be aware "Offences must come, but woe
unto him by whom the offence cometh -
The people are no longer asleep, nor are
they longer disorganized mob.
Above all this, deep down in their hearts
is the conviction that they are right, and
all history is full of lessons, as to the ire
sistable power Of people struggling to-
gether in what they have deemed q righte-
Gus cause.
Then let all papers and parties who have
nothing left, but to recount the struggles,
and victories of the past, like old veteran
soldiers whose arms are nerveless and
whose limbs refuse longer to support their
tottering bodies, retire to some quiet and
safe retreat with all their old and richly
earned honors upon them, but let them not
disturb their own peace by contending for
victories which they have never won, Of
battles where they were not engaged.
Let the people in the meantime stand firm.
ly to their guns, deceived by neither the
false cries Of defeat or Of victory.