The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-10-24
Fsem D. N.e Ierl glasme. Rspnlllean.
Can Thsy learn Anything.


Il is pretty clear that the Administration
party has fallen since the elections Of last week
into nearly this same condition ofpanie which
seized upon the Democracy IN October, 1868.
Six years ago terrified partisans Of Horatio
Seymour proposed TO save themselves from
inevitable defeat BY describing an obnoxious
candidate for the Vice Presidency. To-day,
under very similar circumstances, the Repnb,
licans offer to appeAse an irritated people by
tardy declarations against the third term.
The result Of such change of front, il It
should be attempted, would probably be the
same in the one case that il was in the other.
There are critical periods in every battle when
change becomes impossible. Whatever the
blunders in the original plan Of attack, trying
TO correct them too late can only aggravate
the disaster The solitary chance for the
Administration now is 10 make the best pos
sible fight in the disadyantageous position it
has foolishly occupied, and Il il is beaten to
retire in good order aud prepare for the next
engagement.
But in the midst Of these portents of de-
moralization il seems TO be bent upon fresh
mistakes. Next to suspicious Of the third
term project tho most potent cause Of the re.
cent Republican reyerses was undoubtedly the
misconduct Of the Administration in the
oOhthtfu toNuttcf WuNfG lONbl
were made and upset ut the pleasure of Fed.
eral Office holders, and elections were turned
into burlesques. Yet we find the Administers.
ton preparing for a repetition Of the frauds
and violence which have brought upon the
party such serious discredit In Louisiana
there is every prospect Of the preparation of
gigantic rascalities at the next election, and
the men who swindled the people in 1872 are
still in Office and high in the favor of the
White House. In South Carolina the Re.
publican candidate for Governor, who was
formally presented to the nominating conyen-
ton as the choice Of President Grant, was
deeply concerned in the scandals of the Scott
administration, and is now making his canvass
in company with the notorious Moses, candi-
date for the Legislature on the same ticket.
In Alabama disgraceful attempt 20 manu-.
facture reign Of terror, as m excuse for
military Intervention, has been defeated by
the promptness of independent Northern
journals in putting the falsehoods of Republi-
can politicians like Mr.. Hays to the test of
careful investigation; nevertheless we find
the Federal Government assuming the police
supervision of the State, sending troopa into
perfectly quiet localities, and arrestng citizens
by the wholesale for alleged offenses which do
not properly come under its eognizance. The
Chairman Of the Democratic Executive Com
mittee Of Sumter County is arrested at n
political meeting on charge Of conspiracy 10
iIyiue a Federal detectire, and sent 100 miles
for examination before Commissioner,
although there are two Commissioners on the
spot, both of them Of course Republicans.
Sheriff posse Of fifty men is arrested by
the same Federal officer for Interfering 10
qucu a negro riot and there seems to be
fair chance that before election day all the
white Democrats of the county will be in ter
ror of deputy marshals and special agents.
Upon this election in Alabama d great deal
is understood to depend; the vote is close; and
It is plain enough that il the Republicans are
beaten they are prepared to raise the cry Of
from Washington. In Arkansas they are
threatening to have the new Constitution set
aside, though it has been adopted by ma.
jority of 10000 votes; and in Georgia they
are complaining Of murderous outrages and
wholesale intimidation, though the State is
VIGOROUSLY in profound peace.
IL the Republican party wishes to regain
lost ground, it must begin reform right here.
1t must talk plain English TO the President
tell him there must be an end of these shame.
FIJI performances IN the Southern States; Kel-
logg, Chamberlain, Hays, Spencer, Patterson,
Clayton, and all Adventures of that stamp
must be sent adrift; the right Of SELF gorera.
ment must be restored to Louisiana; and
Messrs. Casey and Packard must be invited
to retire. The party is too heavily handi
capped. If il wants 10 win this race, it must
unload.