The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-11-19
Gbc 1cfrrsouiau.
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 10, 1874.
GUR DEFEATANDTuE CAUSES.

great benefit to the Republlcan party II the
leaders make up their minds to thoroughly
learn it, We do not propose going into the
!ul merits Of the lessons themselves at this
time, but merely to touch them lightly by
way IF hint to whom it may most concern
Leaving out the lessons impaired by other
States, what 10 We learn by the lesson taught
by the result here in PENNSYLVANIA? And
what was that result? Look at it. From IL
majority of seventy odd thousand for Gen.
Grant two years ago, and with a majority of
$,ut little less for Gen Hartrauft with steady
majorities ranging from eight thousand to
the maximum figure above named, year after
year for the last fourteen years-wth a
Legislature for the same time always strongly
Republican-with congressional delegation
in which the same stripe of politics always
strongly predominated, aud with the United
States Senator>hip always strongly in our
hold, we have dwndlcd down to a minority
in every thing. Literally, to-day fnds us, as
party, bankrupt in all save the good deeds
Of the past and the manly spirit which
prompts US to be up and doing for the future
And why is this the ease? Why are we so
surrounded with discouragements as to almost
make US as party for-swear the partizan
contest, and leave sublunary things generally
no go to the dogs! 1t needs no great stretch
.of memory-no wrenching drafts upon the
imagiaation-no mere guesses to arrive at a
conclusion unmistakably pertinent to the
question: even though it may not be abso-
lutely encouraging in its truth. There is a
rcaSon-an overwhelming reason for this
great change which has so worked to our dis
advantage; and though not pleasant it is
certainly right that VIC should look it squarely
in :hc face and speak Of it as it deserves.
Notwithstanding the many and potent
reasons which have been already urged as the
cause for our defeat, we conceive that those
who promulgate them light upon them mere
ly because they, from providential motives.
considered it better to select these rather
than to 90 further and find others still more
potent but very much less congenial. 1t
would have been easier STILL and just as
satisfactory, if they had arrived at the con-
clusian that We failed to be successful because
We failed to get votes enough to secure sue
cess. But such reasoning would not satisfy
those among whom votes arc gained and lost
We mean the people Nor would it satisfy
Us if We were compelled to depend upon this
si,Ipie diXit for a. answer to the many aues-
tions put 20 US from day to day by those
who, year after year, have put their shoulders
with ours to the wheel and pushed hard to
Fo.i the party into power and to maintain it
there. There are other grand reasons, over
and above any We have yet heard broached
sor our defeat, and entertaining this belief
yro deem it our duty as faithful Republi-
caa iartizan to lay them plainly before our
readers. We conceive that a physicians
curative hold upon disease can never be
surely perfected in a cure, urtiI he has
traced the effect, through all its ramfcations
10 It's cause. As in medicine so is it in poll
tics; with this advantage in favor Of the lat
ter, that the proper remedy, which is always
at hand and S truly specific, properly applied
Is always sure to restore the vitality neces-
sary to perfect health.
If we look for the causes of our defeat with
desire to arrive at the exact truth, and
that only, We cannot divest ourself of the be
lief that We can only find those causes by
canvassing the doings of the leaders of our
party From President Grant, down through
all the gradations occupied by our partizan
lcl.. G,,1
ing trace Of the means by which we were de-
teatcd 1t was not because the masses tired
Of Republican principles, but it was rather
because men, elected and sustained in Office
as Republicans, smothered the principles of
rhe party under personal ideas, ard thought
less Of the demands of the people than they
did Of selfish exercise of their official
l,ower. President Grant is by no means
exempt from the weight of the charge, and
his unlerstrappers have delighted in nothing
more than in yielding him loyal following.
In all, or nearly all Of the appointments of
the administration, every connection is
marked by favoriteism. From the premier
ship in the Office of Secretary of State, down
TO the humblest watchman in the govern
ment employ all have been appointed, and
many in direct opposition of the will of the
people who were to be affected by their ap
pointment, because of relationship or fol
mere personal aud social connection with the
President, or because some Senator O,
Representative on whom he depends for sup
port had a debt TO pay for services, otter
disreputable, rendered in placing them il
position far above their deserts Our OWL
little one horse post Office is a case in point
and the manner in which it was secured
against the overwhelming wishes of our peo
pie, would furnish a rare and racy chapter il
the history of political geremandering. Wha
has been our experience, has been the exper
fence Of the whole country; and tie offices
instead of being conferred unon worthy marty