Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-11-13
AFTER THE BATTLE.


lime enough has now elapsed to survey
with some cool judgment the great politi
cal events OF the preceding week, attempt
TO account for them and suggest how they
can be best utilized for the public inter-
eSts.
At the very outset, it is of signal lmpor-
lance to remember that combined elements
achieved the victory that thrilled this coun-
try from the Aroostook river to the Golden
Gate. Masses Of thoughtful and patriotic
Republicans joined the still compact or
ganization of the Democracy in great
popular uprising against persevering fraud,
corruption, false pretences and misgovern-
ment. Theleaders Of the Repu blican party.
of whom BUTLER, CAMERON and NOR
TON may be taken as types. had steadily
deluded the honest voters in the Republic
can ranks with the assurances chat 1.-THE
party would reform itself; there was no
need to hand over the Government to the
opposition Years of this jugglery were
successfully practised But back pay, ere
ditmobilier, PAYNE, SANBORN, malign leg
islation against the South, Executive neg
lect of duty and the browning infamy
perpetrated against Louisiana, lat last forced
the conviction deep into the bosoms of the
American people that a supreme effort
must be made for national publication
and delivery. That conviction was brood
ed ever silently. It was too deep for noisy
utterance. Men cherished it over their
hearth-stones, carried it with them to the
plough and the work shop, cautiously in
terchanged it with similar sentiments
entertained by neighbors. How deep
it was, how broad it was, how centered i'll
the core it was, may be best understood by
the tremendous revolution which it hurled
like Gods thunderbolt against the hypo-
critics, who, under the guise of Republican
statesmen, have wrought SO much harm to
private and public interests and institu-
lions in the United States. Were we to
be denounced constantly abroad as a ma
ton destitute of the moral sense? Were
we TO be manipulated helplessly by small
band Of bad men until popular sovereignty
became Il mere scott and by-Word? Were
the material interests Of the country to be
wrecked by Ubiquitous legislation, so that
q p04tisaa crew should hold perpetual estate
III office These were the inquiries silently
put and silently pondered upon. People
began to inquire what parties were made
for and what they were made of. Sure
" they were not made solely for the
benefit of few mere political traders
Surely they were made of the masses of
conscientious citizens. 1t was not true
that the whole people was debauched.-
Thotslander should beeXploded into atoms.
Upon this line Of reflection the true ''Grand
Army Of the Republic" North and South,
marched on November Sd, and at nightfall
the imposters and jugglers and political
garroters who had held the nation 50 long
by the throat, were lying PROSTATE amidst
the ruins of the Radical sentiment they
had represented. 1t was, we say, a united
action of intelligent and virtuCus Rapub-
licans with the undaunted Democracy to
deliver North and South in one sublime
movement, aud the result has been seen
in the gold quotations, the advanced price
of United States bonds, the rise in stocks
and perceptible improvement in business
circles.
Now let us secure these good results
Let the Democracy remember to whose
timely aid it owe IS this stupendous triumph.
Let it frown down fools who talk OF
unset ling things which have been done
wisely or unwisely, past undoing. Let ii
conciliate it's allies. Let it practice The
t:tlr,f
vigilance 1t cannot take power until 1875
It is not responsible for legislation which
may vet intervene. But it is responsible
for the tone of its press, the utterances o1
it's representative men, and the 0nilpa'
which it shall exhibit over its measures
The people wish it we'll. Let it deserve
this confidence. 1t now has the Electora
College in its grasp. To retain it requires
circumspection, prudence and good heha-
vior. A defeat i'll 1876 would throw the
country back a quarter OF acentury. What
has been done now, must be perfected in tile
Centennial year by the election Of an cid
fashioned Jeffersonian President, win Shall
make eapability and honesty his NOTICES,
and the public good his strict, stern and
consistent aim. \ glorious era Of frate
nal feeling and business prosperity is n0M
dawning upon us. It remai':s for the sue
cessful party to enter upon new lease OF
power with clean hands ana pure hearts,
determined to consult the national welfare
and keep from its own ranks the pestife-
rous demagoguism which has just brought
our adversaries to disaster and defeat
Victors in this great fight, deport your
selves like men conscious of the issues at
stalk and the solemn Responsibilities await
ing your acceptance
TROUBLES OF VIRGINIA" CONGRESS-
MEN The Norfolk papers say chat Mr..
Goode will contest the seat OF Mr.. Platte
in Congress on the ground that intimda-
ton of voters, colonization Of negroes from
the Petersburg district, and other fraudu-
lent means elected him. The Petersburg
papers also say that charges will be brought
against Mr.. StoWell, the member elected
from that district, to the effect that he
appointed West Point cadet not residing
in his district. and received 81 200 in mo-
ney in consideration therefor. The Wash
ington correspondent Of the Baltimore
''Sun| says:
Among other investigations which may