The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-12-24
DEMOCRACY, THE PRESS AND PRES.
IDENTIAL ELECTION.

1t does not necessarily follow, because
the Democratic party have triumphed in
many local elections, and gained majority
in Congress, that they will elect the next
President. There were influences recently
recognized in behalf of Democracy which
may possibly be silenced. or change their
direction. Everything depends upon the
wisdom of partisan action at Washington,
and upon the course of party leaders with
reference to the tariff, the banks, and gem
eral questions of finance. How readily a
counter revolution may be inaugurated is
seen in the influence exerted by four or Eve
great newspapers.
To Horace White and the Chicago Tribune
the revolution in Illinois is justly ascribed.
So apparent is this fact that the leaders of
Illinois Republieanism, becoming alarmed,
have expelled Mr.. White from the Tribune,
which, like the asow that was washed, re-
turns to its wallow, and at this hour it out
vies the later Ocean in hostility to the South.
The revolution in Ohio, quite as wonderful
and inspiriting to Democracy, is ascribed
very generally to tho independent press Of
that State, represented by the Cincinnati
Commercial. The New York 7SibURS and
Sun and Herald have not only shaped results
in New York, but in Pennsylvania, and
therefore it may be asserted, with deal OF
yerisimilitude, that recent Democratic vic
tories were achieved by four great indepen-
dent Republican newspapers, the New York
Herald cooperating with them. How cas-
lily the course of these potent publications,
WELDING Northern popular confidence to a
degree never known before, may be changed
becomes apparent when we reflect that
each has its peculiar financial views,
each its tariff policy, while each
of these five great organs Of opinion is dis
posed to do justice and, liberating, to con.
cede self-governmentt to the Southern States.
1t is well enough to present this aspect Of
Southern and of Democratic partisan for
tunes, The nomination Of representative
of the old Democratic party as a candidate
for the presidency would repel the whole
voting force of Conservative Republicanism
to which we were indebted for recent victo-
ries. Even now, the New York Tribune,
contemplating future possibilities, asserts
this fact stating that CASTOR, the Democrat,
was elected by the temperance vote in Mas
sachusetts; that in Pennsylvaals 100, 00t
voters remained at home while the Demo
cratic majority is only 5000; and in New
York the Republicans, in former years, have
cast more votes than the Democracy in ths
recent election. II is, therefore, stated BY
one Of the ablest writers Of the country,
and thus the ablest thinker, that INC
opinion in regard to the result Of the presi
Dental contest two years hence is to b
drawn from the elections in three represen
tative States. The result Of the presiden-
tial nce is entirely uncertain. There is lit
tie presumption in favor OF either party,
All that can be said Is that the Republican
majority IN the present Congress and the
Democratic majority in the next House have
the result Of the campaign Of 1876 in theal
own handsn The battle Of 1876 Is not vet,
By any means, decided A wise nevspape,
pres and wise action By our party in Con
gress are indispensable totriumph, and jusi
now victory seems wholly impossible with.
cut the cooperation Of thOso great organs
OF Northern and Western opinion which
have recently dealt 50 justly and gonerousl.
WITH southern States, facts and people.