The Portland daily press., 1875-04-03
GEORGE G. STACY, Sec'y of State.
Connecticut.

Should the Republicans carry Connecticut
Monday, as some of the more sanguine OF the
party in that state anticipate. it will be
notable victory and the forerunner of an over
whelming success in 1876. There Is at first
view little ground for confidence that the Re-
publicans will sweep the state. In 1873 the
Republican vote was 39,245, the Democratic
45,O75. In 1874 the Republican vote was &c.
973, the Democratic, 46,755, a gain of nearly
thousand for the Democracy in one year.
Should this majority be materially reduced it
will indicate decided revulsion In popular
feelings. Should it be entirely overcome it
will be proof of political revolution greater
even than that of last fall.
The Connecticut Republicans have certain
ly some reason for the expectation of reduc-
ing the Democratic majority. Within the
last few weeks party confidence has been re-
stored Courage has returned, Republicans
have ceased to criticise and find fault, partly
because the abuses complained of have been
remedied, partly because great danger to
the welfare of the country is showing Itself
danger to meet which requires a united
and steady front. The extreme Demo-
Gratis were SO elated by the Republican
disasters last fall-disasters which they
wrongly took to be endorsements of their
own reactionary sentiments-that they lost
their heads and unwisely entered upon re-
dictionary course. The Connecticut Senator,
Mr.. Eaton, rose in his seat in the Senate
chamber, and boldly proclaimed that the
United States was confederacy, and not
nation, that the individual States were SOW
ereign, and that the general government
could only exercise few powers expressly
delegated to 1t. This declaration has been
indorsed and derended by nearly every Dem
ocratic Journal in the United States. The
people were quick to see that the legitimate
result of this doctrine is the rightfulness of
secession, and that secession Is regarded by
the Democratic leaders as merely question
of expediency. The apprehensions thus
aroused for the national unity, joined to the
fears excited by the aggressive tone of the
South, by the increasing noisiness and prom
inence of men to whom attaches the suspic-
ion of sympathy with the rebellion, by the
administrative abuses of the triumphant
Democracy, by the revival of Gilbert Walk
er's plan for the assumption Of state debts by
the general government, by the sound OF the
old cry of rule by white men alone, and to a
growing conviction that reform can only be
accomplished through the Republican party,
have materially changed the situation,
Republicans who were disposed to complain
have dropped the role of critics for that
soldiers. Convinced that the interests of
the country are in peril they are rallying in
force under the old standard, prepared to sus-
tain menaced cause which they had fondly
thought was already won.
causes like this have materially improved the
political situation in Connecticut within the
past few days. The vote on the general tick
ct will be much closer than was anticipated
two weeks ago, and the choice of governor
may devolve upon the legislature. The Re-
publicans have made excellent nominations,
and are quite confident of carrying the house.
The senate is in doubt. The third congress
sional district is Republican beyond doubt,
and the fourth as certainly Democratic. In
the first and second districts the contest is
exciting. Gen. Hawley is making grand
fight with fair prospect of success. Should
he be defeated it will be sad commentary on
Democratic professions Of reform, for he was
one of the most honest, able and independent
members of the last congress, and failure to
return him to his seat will be national loss.
The second district Is strongly Democratic,
but it is thought that Mr.. Kellogs's personal
popularity may carry him through.