The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-11-12
The New York Herald on tile November Elec-
tiOnS.

General Grant, who led the republican par
ty into power two years ago with the largest
majority, perhaps, ever given to President,
NAV feel this morning, as he reads the returns
of the November elections, that he has been
like the Prodigal Son, and has squandered a
precious political inheritance. Whatever the
causes, the result is decisive. New York, which
has been anchored so firmly to the republican
party, now swings out in pronounced and IRE
trievable revolt. Even the splendid popular-
ty of General Dix could not save the admins
tration. At the hour we write it is impossible
to estimate the exact result but it seems safe to
estimate the majority of Mr.. Tilden at from ten
to fifteen thousand majority. The other States
speak with an emphasis no less certain. The
indications are that the republicans in Peunsyl-
yania. mainly through the extraordinary disc
pline of the party in Philadelphia, have held
that State. But not even an approximate estl-
mate can be formed, and it seems improbable
that the keystone State should be alone in the
rush of democratic victories. New Jersey is
probably democratic. The most astounding
result, however, is in Massachusetts,, which has
elected democratic Governor by decisive,
startling majority General Banks is elected
to the House, while General Butler is defeated.
The defeat of Butler gives poetic sequel to
the democratic triumph, and is the one isoa-
ted event which will give the greatest satisfac-
ton to the American people. 1t closes the Ca
reer of the ablest, most persistent and most dar-
ing of the leaders of the republican party-of
one man who represented in his own person
the animosities, the mistakes and the audaci-
ties of republicanism in its hour OF arrogant
triumph.
This election is not merely victory but
revolution. The United States pronounces
in favor of conservative purposes We are
weary of war and its bloody instructions.
The practical lessons to be learned can
not fail to be of the very gravest impor-
tance. The canvass closes the political career
of General Grant. We can understand that
the time will always come in the history of
administrations when the people become rest
less and impatient and crave a change. We
had indications of this even in the time of
Washington, who was severe y criticised before
his retirement for what was regarded as the
corruption of the party in power But Grant
has invited the severest censure, not merely
by what he has done, but by what ne has
failed to do He has permitted the Presiden-
tial Office to drift away from what was inten-
ded by the founders of the government. The
Presidency is no longer the constitutional
head of representative Republic, but the alb
solute chief of dominant party. The Cabinet
is no longer composed of statesmen of repute,
selected because of administrative fitness but
of staff officers, taken because they pleased
the Presidential fancy. The disposal of pat.
ronage has been largely a matter of personal
preference. The party has passed into the
control Of politicians who have shown their
appreciation of public responsibilities by Cred
it Mobiier, back pay and other suspected and
dishonorable transactions