National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-03-14
NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The untoward result of the State election
in New Hampshire may be considered as
one of the first fruits of the recent attack
upon the Republican party by Mr.. Dawes.
The people of New Hampshire are, above
all others, successful practical economists,
especially in small matters and small sums.
While they might admire the Credit Mo-
Miller scheme of Cakes Ames. they would
despise and condemn the act of raising sal
aries of public officers who were really
inadequately paid. And yet one scheme
cost the nation over forty millions, while
the other act involved but one and q half
millions per annum. If Mr.. Dawes had
designed to defeat the Republican party in
New Hampshire, he could not have de-
vised a more effectual method of securing
that object than the making Of his panicky
speech just at the very moment which he
selected for that purpose. In what aspect
did his ill-timed effort place the Republican
party before the country Clearly in
the attitude of an extravagant despoiler
of the peoples money. And from
whom came the charge? Who but the
leader of the party in the House? Was it
any wonder that very few-and the re-
turns show that they were but very few
members of the party in the State of New
Hampshire should have faltered and hest
tated about the further Endorsement of and
cooperation with such party? What can
we expect of an army of soldiers on the
field, when, just upon the eve of battle,
they hear their general accuse his subordi-
nate officers with rank cowardice? Can we
look for high display of courage upon the
part of those soldiers, stimulated by conf
dence in the bravery of their leaders? Ger
tainly not.
The conclusion is irresis.ibly forced upon
the unprejudiced mind that Mr.. Dawes
either meditated treachery to his party
when he prepared such an ill-advised
speech or that he is lacking in the discre-
ton and prescience necessary to the sue
cessful leadership of great party. The
prompt explanations of Generals Butler
and Garfield, disarming the malignant
speech of Mr.. Dawes of its most damaging
features, were timely and effective so far
as they extended, but the old saying, THAT
lie having twenty four hours start of the
truth is never overtaken by the latter" was
never better exemplified than in this in
stance. The telegraph scattered the poison
Gus virus of Mr.. Dawes speech broadcast
over the land, and the antidote followed
leisurely day or two later. But the first
impression made by the announcement that
the party leader in the House had become
first accuser of the Administration was in
dustriously circulated by the Democrats in
New Hampshire and could not be entirely
effaced.
Then the temperance movement drew
nearly all its votes from the Republican
party, and its ticket persistently kept in the
field, although that party was pledged to
stand by the present no-license law Of the
State. The vote attracted from the Repub
lican to the prohibition ticket has defeated
any election of Governor by the people,
The choice of Governor by the Legislature
will possibly depend upon the prohibition
lists, who, most likely. hold, the balance of
power. McCutchins, the Republican can
didate, would seem to be nearer their views
than Weston, the Democrat. 1t is there
fore not impossible that McCutchins NAV
yet become Governor, as he certainly would |
have been now chosen but for the prohibi-
ton ticket and the ill-timed demagogism of
Mr. Dawes. cit is a dirty bird that fouls
its own nest"