Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-11-08

MONDAY, NOVEMBER s.
The Presidential Election.


clearly, we think, that the triumph anticipated
by the Democrats in 1876, is, at least, render
ed problematical. If the successes of last year
had been followed up and supplemented by
successes this fall. a brilliant triumph might
have been achieved in November next, but the
elections just had have in a great measure dis
PEELED these anticipatons, and, if victory is to
be attained at all, it is to be by hard fought
battle. The Radicals have taken advantage OF
all the dissensoos in the ranks of the oppo-
stiou have eschewed all causes of disa affection
among themselves have rallied from their
last years defeat with rapidity aud strength
which shows that they we're only "scotched, "
and are now, though still acting on the defeu
sive, ready to give battle from their strongly
entrcuched position.
While We do not thiuk there is actual cause
for dependency, yc! the Democrats have every
incentive to put forth their utmost cxcrtious to
secure victory, and to do this the campaign
will have to be conducted with great care and
under the best leadership. All side issues
must be avoided, and the party brought into
complete harmony and unity, with platform
sufficiently general to assert uncqu!vocally all
the great principles that have been trampled
upon by the Administration.
The great mistake made in the contest just
ended was the Juggling 10 of the currency and
other issues not pertinent, aud which could
easily have been avoided. For nearly fourteen
years, as says the Washington Capital, "the
money power has had entire control of the
government and shaped legislation to suit its
Interests. This power took stock 10 Grant to
such an extent that when the crash camc, aud
II succumbed to the financial storm, it carried
with it the Administration. 1t was not dead
however, and the last thought OF the Demo
cracy should have been to arouse that power to
final but desperate struggle. Trade was para
lyzed and labor out Of employ. All honest
men, sick of Republican corruption, looked
about eagerly for some other organization with
which to cooperate. The Democracy had only
TO denounoe corruption, promise reform and
nominate their best men to insure an easy tri-
umph. Drunk, however, with the first draughts
of power, they began quarreog among them
selves over an abstract financial problem which
neither understood, and the victory which was
within their grasp, was turned almost into
rout. Let US take warning and learn wisdom
by such dearly bought experience; let all bick-
ering and dlssensons be put stop to let the
ranks be closed the inefficient be sent to the
rear and the best men put forward let us not
be actuated by the simple desire to acquire con-
troll, but remember that the destinies of the
Republic are at stake, aud that each succeed
ing wave of Radicalism is surely encroaching
upon the few remaining rights of the States
and the people, and that it is to repel this CEN
tral:zatlon OF power that the Democrats and
Conservatives are called upon to put forth their
utmost exertions.
We believe, as frequently expressed, that
Gen. Grant will be the nominee of the Radical
party Tor re-electioD-al the indications point
Ing that way,-and Notwithstanding the pro-
testations now made by the leaders of that party
and the fight that may be made against him
prior to the nomin alton, when he has been
chosen as the candidate, each and all of them
will flock to his standard, and backed by the
money power of the East, in whose interest
be is SO deeply involved, and with an almost
host of Office holders as his warm
supporters, and ready to do his will with
power to Initiate" the currency 10 order to oil
the machinery that runs the election; notwth-
standing the dead weight" of the third
term, the emergencies of the occasion" will
be made the excuse for yielding to that, and
thoroughly organized, with the money aud DOW
er OF the government at his command, il will
be toucd that to defeat him, aud the Radical
party, will be no easy task
Unless the people of the country I'm mindful
of the teaching Of their fathers, ard willing
to sacrifice their rights as freemen, and Weld
obedience to Dictator desire to be degraded
from their high position, they will have to Sc.
rionsly consider this subject, and putting aside
the issues that have heretofore divided them.
concentrate their strength to rescue the govern.
ment from the hands Of those who would SUBJ
vert It, and while empowering and enriching
themselves, make the people poor indeed.
-
we fully agree with the Richmond Wing |
that reputation is an ugly, omuous, iIl-fayored
word, and is always suggestive of repugpapt re- !
1ectlons to every man in whose heart there ;s
love for the land 10 which he lives, or respect
tor the government whose good faith is involv. |
ed. Reputation not only savors of revolution. |
but of revolution that reaches the very bottom
of all social organization aud breaks up the
OASIS on which every structure of civilization
stands. 1t bursts at once all bonds of confidence
between established governments brushes out
that moral responsibility which is the indispen-
saote cement OF society, tears away the ten
derest llgaments linking man with man in the
worlds great workshop of all industries, and