Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-11-15
THE LATE ELECTIONS.

THE LATE ELECTIONS.
The more or less decisive vote
against Radicalism, in the late elections
in Virginia, NewYork. Maryland, Wis
consin and Minnesota, would have o
cheering effect upon US, could we seri-
ously believe that they indicate a per-
manent change for the better, but so
uninterrupted has been the descent of
the government, from bad to worse,
that we had ceased to hope for perma-
nent improvement, until itreaches the
bottom, when the shock of the fall
may arouse the dormant patriotism of
the people and demonstrate the neces-
sity for regaining the elevation from
which they have blindly precipitated
themselves. The New York Post,
which has an unctuous way OF
explaining circumstances adverse TO
its party, says the indications point not
10 an increase of Democratic strength,
but to decrease of the Radical vote in
consequence of discomfort with some
OF the administration - intimatiDg
thereby, that such discomfort will give
way before partizan feeling whenever
the contest partakes ola national char
acter. The explanation gains strength
by a recurrence to the Greeley cam
paign which disappointed the expecta
tons of so many of the opposition.
There is, however, no exact parallel
with this case, inasmuch as that cleo
ton was not preceded by any State
election, indicating SO great n change
in public sentiment. In addition to
this favorable circumstance, it should
be remembered that the persistent
Radical policy has been to put forth Its
strength in every contest and to make
its triumph as signal as possible, with q
view to influence over the rabblc ele.
lnent of its party.
There is reason, therefore, for the
opinion that the explanation of the
Post, is mere special pleading, intend,
ed to break the force of the losses sus.
tanned by his party in the late elections
The extent of the territory embraced
by those elections, reaching from Vir'
GINA to Maine, and from New York tC
the base of the Rocky Mountains, show:
the disaffection to be widespread, and
precludes the supposition that it is &
mere outburst of local discomfort
The Post is unwilling to rely upon this
as a sufficient explanation, and admits
that those elections have Significance
too broad and deep to be overlooked
10y the leaders of the party, and hint
that the weight it carries may prove tor
great for its strength, unless it be light
tened by a material change of policy
But, to believe that the late elections
indicate decisive change for the bet
ter, we must base it as much upon tn,
generally conceded fact, that revolu
tions never go backwards, as upon thu
results themselves. Should the finan
cial crash break the backbone of thu
rings and monoplies, we shall hav'
n =
stronger hopes of the success Of thu
opposition, in the future but willis
so many thousands can be bought, ant
whilst the Radicals retain control o
the Treasury and of the concentrated
capital purloined from the people, it i
among the probabilities that, had Their
been no financial trouble in the Radi
cal camp, those elections might hav
resulted differently.
But we do not intend, by this line o
thought, 20 discourage ourselves o
others. So far from it, the gallan
fight made against Radicalism, in tn
States above named, strengthens tn
hope that Tennessee, encouraged b
their example, will, next year, presen
an unbroken front to the common enc
nv, and assert its determination {
eradicate the faintest trace Of Radlca
influence upon its laws, its morals, it
material prosperity and its politics
honor. Tennessee may do this becaus
ii is no longer disfranchised aud n
longer intimidated by Radical militi
and federal bayonets. With the sam
freedom, every other southern Stat
would do the same thing; and 1t is du
to those States, that Tennessee shall S
shape its political course as to aid thos
who have suffered with tit, in a CON
mon cause, in shaking off the shackle
of lawless tyranny. 4 voluntary az
quiescence in Radical rule, by TIL
State, would postpone the freedom
the oppressed southern States, ft
years 10 come, whilst a differer
course will give them hope an
eourage-hope that our happier IL
may soon be theirs. and courage
await with unfinching frmness, the de
sired oportunityfor emancipation frol
hated negro and carpet-bag rule.