The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-08-16
THE RECENT SOUTHERN ELECTIONS.
THEIR BEARING UPON THE PRESIDENTIAL Sue
CESSION.

THEIR BEARING UPON THE PRESIDENTIAL Sue
CEssION.
The general results of the recent elections
in Kentucky, Tennessee Mississippi, and
most notably in North Carolina indicate All
extensive popular reaction against the party in
possession Of the n ational Cove nment The
same general causes which, from the Ohio
election Of October last have been operating
in the North to the prejudice of the Republi-
cans, from the New England to the North
western States inclusive, are evidently at work
throughout the South, notwithstanding the
apparent diversity Of opinions and purposes
between the opposition elements OF the two
sections. The Republicans charged their de-
feat in Ohio last fall to short vote, to general
apathy in their ranks and to the iaterpositlon
Of such 81 le issues as the temperance question,
which crrried off the balance Of power To
general apathy and the new distributing faction
Of the CHANGERS they charged their November
losses in the Northwest, and their narrow es-
cape FROM a complete overthrow in New York
to too much confidence in their 80, 900 major
ity in 1872.
The results in all these cases were held by
the Republicans Of no material importance,
inasmuch as no national candidates or issues
were directly involved In short 1872 was
that :" off year" in our party politics, the
year Immediately following the exhausting
strain and excitements Of the Presidential
contest, which, in the results of its State cleo
tons, signitied nothing, because the success
full party Of 1872 had nothing to lose or to fear
from these elections Of 1873, and could there
fore we'll afford to rest season from their la
bors. But, the Republican organs argued, our
reserves, which remained at home in 1873,
will be brought out to the Congressional cleo
ton of 1874, and it will then be made mani
fest that the integrity Of the Republican party
has not been shaken, and that the apparent
political reaction of 1873, like that of 1867,
really signifies nothing.
But the elections, so far, of 1874 teach us a
tterent lesson From New Hampshire and
Connecticut, from Oregon Kentucky Ten
nessee, Mississippi and North Carolina, we
have the suggestive record Of Republican de-
feats and opposition successes or OF opposition
gains and Republican losses Disturbing local
divisions and factions are still pleaded as the
explanation of these Republican reverses; but
if these disturbing forces exist from New
Hampshire to Oregon and from Oregon to
North Carolina, is not the general outlook for
the year to the Republican party unusually
dark and discouraging? The truth is that
that spirit OF unity, harmony and active CO.
operation which has heretofore existed be-
tween the party and the National Administra-
ton exists no longer. The objects Of the
party are no longer the p ,rposes Of tho Ad-
ministration. The compact between the
President and the party entered into III 1868
has expired The engagements OF the party
were fulfilled in his election for second
term, and the reciprocal duties of Gen. Grant
have been discharged in the completion of the
Republican programme of Southern recon
struction and restoration. Grant is no longer
bound as an agent Of the party, and the party
is no longer bound to his administration.
But with this release as an agent, can Grant
righttully claim the employment OF the at
ronage Of his agency in new departure for
still another term in opposition to the party
from which he holds this agency? Whatever
may be the moral law or obligation upon this
subject it is sufficient for our present argu-
ment that Gen. Grant considers his EXecu-
tive patronage his personal property, and that
he has so disposed it from the nomination of
his first CabiIet to this day. Here the troubl
begins which threatens the party electlng him;
the lightweight Of another Tyler, or Fillmore,
or Johnson Here we reach the solution Of
our State elections since last October. No
reasoning man can doubt that Gen. Grant is
aiming tor third term; no man believes that
the Republican party, outside tie intrenched
camp Of the otfice-holders, desires or expects
his nomination as the party candidate for
1876, and no Republican feels sure of the
continued support of the party by the Presi-
dent in the nomination OF any other man in
his place for the succession.
Nor since last autumn has Gen. Grant
shown any feeling but that OF indifference in
regard to the results Of The State elections.
The Administration did nothing for the Repub-
lican ticket last spring in New Hampshire or
Connecticut, and did nothing to save the
party from its recent heavy defeat in North
Carolina. On the other hand, in 1872 no
stone was lett unturned by the Administration
to carry these States, and they we're all car
ried. The conclusion inevitably follows that
Gen. Grant now desires to prove to the Repub-
! lican party that he is necessary to Its success
and upon his own terms, or that he desires a
new party in its place, and under the flag OF
Gen. Grant for a third term.
| For either of these designs his reticence
| upon this third term mystery is working well
| in the decentralization OF the Republican party,
and there is no third proposition which will
fit the case. Returning, en-, to these recent
Southern elections, their bearing upon the
| Presidential succession may he readily de-
fined. They do not point to Gen. Grant as the
Republican candidate; they have not turned
upon Grant as the probable opposition candi-
date They point to the overthrow OF tire Re-
publican party and the Administration. In
short, the OPPOSITE IN argument against the
dominant party is its argument against the
continuance OF Grants administration. How,
then, the Southern opposition elements are to
detach the Administration from the despotic
acts usurpations and corruptions OF the Re
publican party in the nomination OF Gen.
Grant for a third term we cannot tell. We
see, however, that this difficulty Of third
term is breaking down the Republican ergani-
cation, and that the continued silence Of
Gen Grant will result, first, in an opposition
majority in the next House Of Representatives,
and next, perhaps, in another IN essage to the
two houses conyratulat ng them upon the ex-
tinction in our recent elections OF those party
lines which have heretofore divided the people
and determined in advance the res ults OF Oh
political elections. Y. Herald.
MosEss WIFE.-A clerical gentleman, from
whom the Drawer is always pleased to hear,
sends the following:
As was paying pastoral visits. some years
ago, in the State OF Tennessee, a lady came to
me
I'm very glad you've come. I was reading
=, +bo R;bla tho ~ har lav ahOnt Mo ,aa marry