The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-12
Editorial Burlington Free Press.
What the Late ElpcriOhs NJ pn n,

The most widespread cause of the repub-
lican reverses in the November elections.
probably, was the dull times in business
Stagnation and cessation of profits for
thousands of business men, and loss of
work and of means of livelihood for tens
of thousands of employees, have brought a
great many republicans in many states into
an irritated and uneasy condition of mind,
in whicq they were open to the arguments
of those who charge everything that does
not go to suit them to the party in power.
AT such times many men who are hard up
VIII go for change Of political control, in
the hope that in some way it may bring re-
lief. This tendency was stronger than
usual, this year, doubtless from the condi-
ton OF the currency. Hopeless of infla-
ton from the republican party. thousands
have listened to the whispers of the demo-
Gratis that democratic Congress would
soon "make money plenty" and have voted
with the democracy. OF course snch ex-
pectations of Improvement under demo-
cratic control are destined to disappolnt-
ment, and reaction is certain. After the
panic of 1887, the country. in 1910, went
strongly against the party in power, which
was the democratic party. But two years
later the wave swung back, with equal
force. Reverses from such causes are Of
necessity short-lved.
Another cause, to which we have hereto
fore given no weight, but which we are
now satisfied had good deal to do with
the result, was the ''third term" agitation.
We have not supposed that President Grant
could he SO ignorant of the state of pub
lie opinion on that question, in the country
at large, as to dream of such thing as
third term. There certainly has never been
the slightest possibility of such contin-
gencY. NO national convention could pos
slhly be assembled that would tender a
thlrd term to Gen. Grant-and il is no dis
arrangement to him to say So The people
will give third term to no man. That is
too much like establishing dynasty. 10 be
permitted in tins generation. Bnt tho
howl over the third term, in the opposition
press, it is now plain, affected a GOOD
many votes, which might have been saved
by word from the president, tisayowinp
any intention to be candidate for another
reelection. That the word was not spoken
was not, as we believe, for want of good
advice from at least two of the Presidents
constitutional advisers The Vermont SEN
ators, it is reported, and doubtless truly
have given The president their views ON The
subject quite plainly. Why he would moi
say anything we do not know, but if it
was because he, or any OF his advisers
were contemplating third term, they
ought to be undeceived by this time.
Another cause was weak and bad local
nominations-su such as those of Butler and
aver and Alexander for Congress, in Mas
sachusetts. which threw thousands of the
best votes in those districts over to the
democrats. Another cause was political
temperance The straight temperance
party in New York state was an effective
ally of the democracy and in Massachu-
sets the political temperance issue has
given to the democrats one of the strongest
republican states in the country-in each
case without the slightest possible benefit,
present or prospective, to the cause of TEN.
perance. The prohibitory law will be re-
pcaled as soon as the new legislature meets.
1t will be succeeded not even by stringent
license law, but by practically free rum.
This result was distinctly forboded in our
editorial columns months ago.