Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-11-12
The Elections.


party organs attribute the great falling off in
the Republican vote in the autumn elections.
This is getting about as near anything
that can fairly be regarded as cause. as
would be statement that political defeat
was occasionec by lack of votes. 4" lndif-
ference, y general apathy" &C., were pro-
duced by something. Men didn't vote last
year and refuse to vote this year without
some reason. Gov Washburn has 10000
less majority in Massachusetts, than last year.
Gov. Washburn, of Wisconsin, who was
elected in 1871 by 1000 majority is beaten
this fall with nearly Is 900 majority against
him. These are specimens of the changes in
short time in the results of the elections
already held. What has brought about such
changes
Some Of the reasons lie on the surface.
Anti-prohibition was active in Massachusetts.
1t had some effect in Wisconsin. The reac-
ton, if it can be called such, in each of these
states is not against corrupt government, as
each state government was exceptionally
a factor in the Wisconsin product; SO was
the Butler movement in Massachusetts.
These different elements are sufficient to
make it plain that neither tie same cause
nor yet similar causes have been at work
In Virginia, for instance, the issue was a
white mans government. In Minnesota
charges of corruption are freely made. In
California the successful cry was anthem
al-Pacific-monopoly. In Ohio some dis
gust with the national management Of the
Republican party contributed to the Dem
ocratic victory. In New York a general dis
satisfaction with the fruits of Republican
ascendency has been evidently at work
A survey of the whole field, however, gives
little cause for congratulation to any honest
Republican or genuine friend of reform in
methods of administration If it were evil
dent that blow had been struck at dishon-
est officials of whatever party, reformers
might take courage. But Gov. Washburns
reduced majority in Massachusetts has no
such lesson. In New York the honest men
on the Republican ticket were defeated along
with those who were dishonest. The new
state government in Wisconsin cannot be
any better than, and is not likely to be as
pure as, the one it will displace. In some
local elections, to be sure, bad party nomina-
tions have been beaten by better independent
movements; and the corrupt use of political
machinery has thus been properly rebuked.
| But, as whole, even the reform voter has
apparently been striking wildly against good
and bad men alike, or has simply kept away
from the polls, thus practically refusing to
aid in the election of such contessedly good
men as were put in nomination; while anti
prohibition in the East and free lager in the
West have united their forces with the OPP
position, merging all questions of principle
and honest government in the one cry for
more freedom in the sale of spirits and beer
This year in most states the vote has
been exceptionally light, especially the Re
publican vote, This fact can probably be
interpreted as owing to a growing opinion in
many minds that party leaders and managers
are pretty much of a piece, whether, for the
time being they call themselves Democratic
or Republicans; that party strife Is now
mainly struggle for the best paying Offices
or for positions which give the largest OPP
portunity for making money; that great
moneyed interests control party machinery
usually, however, covering their selfish pur-
poses under magnificent declarations of prin-
ciples supposed to be popular with the aver
age voter; and that, in the inevitable
plundering Of the people which will result
to a greater or less extent from the success:
of either party, it is not worth while for the
honest and intelligent voter to have any part
In other words, when choice of parties il
only choice of evils, many voters consci
entiously refuse to aid either party, ever
though it may be tolerabIy certain that one
set OF officials will steal less or be less fertil
, in expedients of government than thu
other. Some such feeling as this has Target,
diminished the Republican vote this fall il
I many states, no doubt.
The fact that many Republicans decline
to vote, that some voted for boiling candi
dates, and some voted either for straigh
Democratic nominations, or for coalition
farmers or people, candidates has, however
significance worth attention. This aspec
h of the election leads the Boston Globe, in
, well considered editorial, to the followin
g lust remarks:
The Democratic party is nearly dead as
party. 1t has declined into fraction. Tn
recent elections threaten to throw the Repub
# lican party into the same state. 1t is one
q the commonplace of Constitutional states
! manship that the great body of voters in
country belong to no party, except as far a
= party represents their sentiments, prejudice
Ii and principles. They demand, above a.
things, wise and honest admin istration Th
" Republican party has grand record, but
" cannot live on its past achievements.
III must be up and doing 1t must continue
IL feel the inspira ton from which it sprung il
Of to existence. Good government is not
w trade in offices of honor and emolument.
! must come up to the reasonable demand
I good citizens who are personally indifferer
q as to who gets an office, or who fails to %
in one The Republican party is, in a speci,
81 sense, composed of persons who are thus il
different. Its vital support is in classes
oiT our intelligent population who mind the
ne own business, without the remotest MOTTO
d. of being possible President, or a possib
~, tde-walter. It's policy should be directt
. by the intelligence of the country to pr
) mote the welfare of the country. Otherwis
the Republican party will lose its real Ii
nd strength through the indifference
stility of voters vino are absolutely nece
to maintain it's existence. If it wish
p in power, let it keep itself sensibl
telligent, honest ana humane; let
only convictions, but the coura;
etlon OF convictions; and, as
party has been due to its sagac
self to circumstances Uith0l