The Portland daily press., 1875-11-09
A Lesson to be Needed,

nications that are not used
Lesson to be Needed.
II nothing else. the elections this fall in
dcate that the great mass of voters who
haVe' until the fall of 1874, belonged to the
republican host, have not gone over to the
democratic camp. A great many casual
spectators concluded that such was the fact
after reading the results of the October and
November elections of last year, but those
VINO wait for full returns before forming con-
ciuslons ascertained that the Republican de-
feat OF 1874 was due entirely to the fact that
thousands OF Republican voters were not In
the light and did not vote. In no state ex-
cept Massachusetts was the Democratic vote
largely increased in 1874, while in many
states the vote Of that party was below the
average of the past eight years. In Massa-
chusetts thousands of Republicans voted the
Democratic ticket to protest against the out
rageous leadership and arrogant dic,ation of
the Butler school of politicians. It was re-
bellion against caucus system which made
congressman of DR.. Ayers. 1t was the only
means by which the mass of voters could rid
themselves Of hummer dictation. 1t was
good time to get rid of the enemies of the
party within its own lines, and they availed
themselves OF it even at the risk of appear
ing to give aid and comfort to the enemy. In
other states the same purpose was accom-
plished by Republicans staying at home.
Thousands had come to believe that the sto-
ries Of the Washir gton correspondents of
the independent and Democratic press were
all true. Thousands had taken the salary
grab seriously to heart and in measuring out
punishment considered only their own party,
forgetting that the Democrtic party had
worse record. They were alarmed at the un-
due prominence that the Buffers, Carpenters
and Spencers assumed. They were annoyed
at the tilne fruitlessly spent in considering
the currency question, and concluded that a
Republican Congress was unequal to the task
OF adjusting the finances so as to restore con-
fidence to the public. These and score of
other causes tended to keep the Republicans
at home as fitting rebuke for short comings,
and warning of what public men might
expect if they did not correct growing evils.
The result of this action was the election of
Democratic Congress and several state gov.
ernments Of the same stripe.
But how did the Democrats use their unex-
pected success? One would have thought
that their Affections the past fifteen years
would have had a tendency to chasten their
desires. But even a purgatorial period of
that extent failed to make the old leaders
prudent, or humble, or wise. They hailed
their success as the result of revolution.
They welcomed Repu bIican converts into
their ranks to vote, but snubbed such as ex-
pressed desire for office. They assumed
their most offensive airs. Wherever they had
positions of honor and responsibility at their
disposal, they selected men conspicuous for
their hostility to the Government during the
r"r cad most outspolscn in their sympathy
Tor the rebels. In Connecticut, Bill Eaton who
took the earliest opportunity to give utterance
to his ultra States Rights sentiments, was
elected United States Senator. Wallace,
who represents the worst element of the
Democracy in Pennsylvania, was elected to
the United States Senate there, all the better
men in the party being passed by. In Mis-
souri, an ex-rebel raider succeeds Carl Schurz
in the Senate because the Legislature was
more than two-thirds Democratic. The Gin
natl Enquirer, leading Democratic paper,
declared that the Democratic Legislature of
Ohio was the worst that ever assembled in
that state. The Democratic Legislatures of
Illinois and Indiana made themselves nearly
infamous by their corrupt and foolish legisla-
tion. In three states, Ohio, New York and
New Jersey, the Democratic maio1ities showed
disposition to barter away the free school
system for the support of the membership of
great church. In short, in single year in
few states, the Democratic leaders have
shown themselves as unworthy of public con-
fidence as they were in 1860, and as devoid of
patriotism as in 1862. They are controlled by
the same brutal instincts as when they were
the willing servantsIof their late Southern
masters.
This year they did their utmost. In nearly
every state the Democracy polled its full VOTE
In most states the Republicans did not but
the contests in Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsyl-
vania, New York and in all the other states
plainly indicate that the great mass of the vo.
tiers who gave the Republican party victory
in 1868 and in 1872 are willing to give them
their aid in 1876 if no mistakes are made be-
fore that time. The only danger lies in the
possible folly Of the Republicans themselves,
and that over-confidence which will encour-
age the disreputable men who were retired to
private life in 1874, to again force themselves
to the front. The people are in earnest
about that matter. There must be no way
erlng on the currency question. The party
must stand by the legislation of last year If it
is impossible to do better. The President,
the Secretary Of the Treasury and the Post
master General must be cordially supported
in their earnest efforts to purify and elevate
the public service.
The party has only to be true to its glori-
Gus past to secure success next year. Good
men must be nominated for all offices and
none but good measures be advocated. Let
Republican congressman show a jealous
fidelity to secure to the people good govern
ment, sound currency, an economical ad-
ministration of public affairs and relentless
hostility to all sorts of jobs with which Con-
gress will be assailed during the coming
session, and Republican success will follow
as certainty in 1876.