Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-06

result III Work OF analysis applies
rather to the North, as the causes
which have arrayed the South against
a sectional party are obvious enough
namely, Federal expressions and at
tempted negro lefelisnl I'm the North,
we believe the question of Civil Rights
was hardly an issue, either directly or
indirectly. Indeed, il that had been
the sole question, we fear US much that
Puritanism would have triumphed.
But other matters, more pertinent to
that section, overshadowed it, and with
the decline Of Massachusetts, ascend
ency the abortion must die
Neither does the question of finance
and currency seem to have been the
leading cause for the great change,
New York and Pennsylvania, with a
hard money Democracy side with Indi-
ana and Ohio preaching imitation.
Evidently finance has not come to the
front yet as pivotal issue. The popu-
lar majorities we're, no doubt, affected
to some extent BY memories of last
years panic and dissatisfaction with
Radical legislation in the past; but
plans for the future have not yet crys-
talized into shape.
The same may be said of the tariff,
notwithstanding it's thorough ventila-
ton through the Grange and the press.
In proof, we may cite the agricultural
States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
and Kansas, adhering to the high
tariff party, while New York, protected
Pennsylvania, and even Massachusetts,
elect Congressional majorities against
that party.
This comparative ignoring of two
such direct questions as finance and
tariff. bearing on the pockets of the
millions, indicate the overpowering
presence of some more potent and
pressing issue. What was that issue
Nothing more nor less than the ineffa-
Bile corruption which has fastened on
every department of government.
Radicaism has died of its rottenness.
The Northern people determined to
cleanse the Washington stables. Such
seems to us the supreme issue that
overruled all others in every section.
1t indicates an awaking Of the national
sense of honesty, and will be followed
by important results mother directions.
Rid of the glamour of Radicallsm, the
North viii see many other subjects in
better light
Secondary and subsidiary to their de-
termination to rebuke the regnant rot
tenness, was an ignoring Of sectional
ism. The North could not be diverted
from Its main purpose by any fresh
fears of Southern 'disloyalty''or South
ern "outrages.'' Theyrefused to shape
their own pOiticsany longer by thesup-
posed temper Of the South or the fate
of the negro. They brushed aside At
torney Williams cock-and- bull stories,
because they had resolved to brush
away Williams himself and all such
landaulet heroes. They concluded that,
whether the South be loyal or disloyal,
the National Government was unutter-
ably corrupt, and needed a sweeping
reformation. Therefore, they ignored
all sectional appeals, like everything
else that stood in the way of their pur-
pose. Tuesdays elections were not
perhaps 50 much a rebuke of Federal
usurpations in the South as of the at
tempt to hide Radical rottenness be-
hind a cloud of Ku-Klux. The fact is
none the less gratifying, however, that
Northern politics have risen above the
dead level of sectional hate, where it
rested 50 long.
In regard to centralism, we doubt
that the North has ever realized its
danger from the progressive usurpa-
tons of late years. Strong in its OWE
strength, it has had no fears that
the Washington junta would even dare
to attempt in that section what has
been done here. Two years ago, Mas
sachusetts herself gave evidence that
open rebellion would there follow
1.-THE of the outrages in which Louisi-
ana Packard revels- This view makes
the North selfish as well as strong in
self-confdence. Now that sectional
luminosity has disappeared, we my
look for resumption of sympathy, and
the manifestation of more concern
hereafter for the rights Of sister States.
Among minor causes, we should per-
haps class Grants ill-disguised aspira-
tons for third term. Gradually the
fact that has dawned upon Their minds
that to continue the Republican party
in Office, was to give Grant another
lease of power. Certainly, that party
has no other aspirant who could pos
sibly pull it through, and he could do
SO only by dragooning the South. The
ADMINISTRATORS 50 adroitly arranged
matters that the Republican party
must take up Grant or nobody. If the
General who saved the Union cannot
save the Republican party, it is all over
with them. But the Northern people
have concluded to dispense with
Grant and his whole corrupt
crew. Their first supreme demand
is honest government. The glamour
of military renown can no more dazzle
them than Ku-Klux ghosts can scare.
Honesty in high places is what they
seek and viii have. This temper is
for permanent return to
the paths of peace-for the selection
of statesman in lieu of a warrior.
The elections betray a concentration
and intensity of purpose that cannot be