Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-11-12
The Significance Of the Fall Elections.

A year ago now, when tue great wave of
Democratic successes swept over the coun.
try, the prospect was seemingly by no
means encouraging for the continued as
cendancy of the Republican party in the
councils OF the nation. To the careful and
thoughtful men Of that party, however, the
result appeared more like a rebuke than
like a reaction. Such men saw in the then
surprising and unexpected state of things
a wholesome warning TO The Republicans
rather than an expression of confidence in
the Democrats, and the result of the cleo
lions recently held has fully justified that
view of the case. If the Democrats had
made good use of their brilliant opportun-
ity, IL they had lived up TO their fulsome
promises of reform, the result Of the Octo-
Der and November elections Of 1875 might
have been far different from that which has
now gone upon record. But the Democrat
ic party did not possess the necessary ele-
ments of purity, efficiency and progress,
and its course during the past year in those
States where IL has held the balance of pow
er has only demonstrated this fact anew.
In New Hampshire and Connecticut its
leaders showed themselves first and chiefly
anxious for the spoils of office, and In the
last named State they outraged the nations
sense Of decency and propriety by electing
10 the United States Senate man OF decid-
ed secession proclivities in several other
States an equally disastrous course was
pursued, and finally, as a filling crown of
their folly, in Pennsylvania and Ohio the
party appeared as the champion of rag
money and as the enemy of our public
school system.
On the other hand, the Republicans,
smarting under their reversos, have shown
just appreciation of the situation and an
earnest purpose 10 meet the demands of
the hour. The third term project has been
liscountenanced and condemned; a llber-
al policy toward the South has been inau-
gurated there has been an earnest effort
10 break up "rings" and TO unearth cor
ruption OF every solt; several obnoxious
party leaders have been retired to private
| life date has heen fixed for the resump-
tion of specie payments, and the President
has called men into his cabinet who have
Instituted thorough and searching reforms
| in every direction.
No candid man believed year ago that
a majority Of the American people were re-
ally DESTROYS of turning over the affairs Of
the country to the management OF the Dem
ocrats. 1t was evident, rather, that the
people were tired of and dissatisfied with
many of the ways and tendencies Of the
Republicans and with the record of the
two parties during the past year placed side
by side, even the most Jealous part san
cannot deny that the elections of this yeaI
have indicated a renewed distrust OF the
Democratic party and renewed hope in
the purity and integrity OF purpose of the
Republicans. Time alone will show wheth-
err this hope is well founded. There is
growing independence of thought and ac-
ton among the vot ers Of the land which
was quite unknown, even at The time o
the last presidential election, and the Re
publicans have only 10 return TO thos,
courses which have been rebuked and con
demned to find themselves next year in
hopeless minority.