Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-11-14

THE LESSON or THE ELECTIONS.
SO far as the result Of last weeks elections
is concerned, there is very little TO add TO
tho summary given last week. In all, or
nearly all, the States where elections were
held the Democrats either made large gains,
or were successful in electing their candi-
dates. That IL will mako any perccptiblo
or material difference in the welfare and
prosperity of these several States, or of tho
country at large, that such is the case, no
candid person believes, and the Republican
party is therefore, or ought to he. chiefly in
terested in the lesson taught by these ccc-
lions.
We are not, by any means, among those
who attempt TO make the "oT year" the
scapegoat to bear all the burden of these
Republican reverscs; and on the other
hand, we are just as far removed from that
chaotic state of mind which our Democrat
ic friends appear TO be in when they pro-
less to see in these elections grand ire
vulsion" and "rcaction' in favor of their
party. The fact Of it is, and the Democrats
realize il as well as the Republicans, that
the country has never been able TO trust the
Democratic party IN the past, and there has
been no such reform in its principles or its
performances as to inspire confidence in 1t
for the present or the future. 1t was this
fact that defeated it a year ago, and il is this
fact that will continue to defeat ii whenever
there is any vital issue at stake. This year
there was no important question hanging
in the balance, and so, TO be sure, the "on
year, may be credited with doing its share
toward bringing about last weeks Demo-
ciatic triumphs. When there is no great
issue TO be decided the Republicans have a
chronic habit of staying at home, while 1t
is the foremost plank in the Democratic
political creed TO vote every time, be the
question important or unimportant, and in
this off year" this peculiarly has had its
influence in securing the victory to the for
mer allies of Mr.. jefferson Davis.
But over and beyond all this lies the
great fact that there is wi lospread feeling
of dissatisfaction in the Republican party.
There is marked distrusl Of party leaders
and party measures. In the past year the
people have had quite too much of Credit
| Mobilier aud salary grabbing they have
| had quite too much of bad nominations, OF
| reckless support of these nominations by
| The press, and of attempted coercion of the
voters into their support, simply because
| they were Irregular" TIE people believe
| that there has been too much attention
| paid 10 Jobs and too little TO u genuine re-
| form in the public service and to the eco
nomical expenditure of the public money.
There is a lurking distriIst Of certain acts
of the Administration. There is strong
| and growing feeling that spirit Of wan
ton recklessncss and Of disregard of prn-
| ciplc, has characterized party management
| and party measures-and this year, when
nothing of real importance was AT stake,
the mere force of party drill WAS insuiii-
| cient 10 bring every man TO The polls, eacn
with the Irregular" ticket in his hand and
| instead, good many thousands of voters
| took very sure and plain way Of telling
| whot teey thought about things.
1t is in this view Of the case, il We are
| wise, that we shall look TO find the zeal
| cause Of this apparent Democratic success
/ and it i just here that the lesson Of The
elections lies. The people are not one whit
| the less devoted % the real and true princi-
| pies of the Republican party now than they
| were II year ago or ten years ago. Only
once let the people be fully treasured that
fidelity TO principle and unwayering integ-
rlty are TO prevail in the councils Of tlc
Republican party-that all manner of cx-
travagance, corruption, bribery and job
| berry is TO be resolutely irowned down-tha
| only good men are to he nominated anC
supported for oflice-ihat Honesty, Econo
my and Reform are TO be the watchword'
Of the party-and the victory is just a
surely ours in the future rs in the past
The action Of the Republican voters ii
last weeks elections was simply protest
Let us he wise in time and heed its warn
/ inn