New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-05

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places would have given them the State, In
| the small and close towns which have an equal
representation with the large ones IN the
Legislature, the Democrats almost invariably
increased their vote and elected their repre-
sentatives Had politician OF MIR. Engllshs
shrewdness and experience set out to secure
the Senatorship, he would undoubtedly have
done Just what these figures furnish the sus-
picion of. II is not strange that his opponents
should attach just this significance to this
feature of the vote. 1t is unfortunate, too,
for Mr. English's reputation that there
is nothing in his previous history as
candidate for Office which does not
lend plausbility to the theory of his oppo-
nents. And yet it may be that the striking
contrast between the votes of the large and
the small towns, and between the increase OF
the majority in the Legislature and the falling
off in the popular majority, is accidental,
or at least not attributable to such
use Of money as is charged nv ardent
partisans. Let us at any T'1 nope
this is the fact. BY the result in tie State
Mr.. English undoubtedly secures his election
to the Senate, it having been understood be-
fore the election that there would DO no oppo-
stion to him in his own party in the event of
success. So that tho Republicans may see
very clearly as the fruits of their own man
acement during the past three years, the
loss of two United States Senators, two
members of Congress, the State Government,
and Legislature. They retain but one MEM
Der of Congress, and he was elected on Mon
day bv close vote to fill vacancy. On the
other hand, they may be encouraged at having
itt,o nd SIR not h
ened themselves for the future by pursuing
honest methods and making sincere effort to
regain public confidence.
The effect of this election upon the two great
parties in their choice Of Presidential cand-
dates must be good; much better than II
either had gained q more decided success.
Had the Republicans overcome the adverse
majority and carried the State, the result, 1t is
to be feared, would when added to the
effect of their New Hampshire victory, have
made them so oyer-cOniident Of carrying
the country in November that they would have
lapsed into their old recklcssness and PARTISAN
ship, and the lessons of defeat and disaster OF
the past two or three years would have been
lost. Democratic gain on the popular vote,
or a fair holding of their own, would have had
the same influence on the leaders of that party.
As it is the leaders of both parties must see that
the people, or the great conservative element
in the people which is to be the balance OF
power is committed TO neither, but poised
fairly between them both; that it cannot
safely be disregarded, but must be conciliated
and won. And won, too, 10y works, not
promises; by decent behavior and honest
administration; by nominating the best men
by the partys own achievements, and its own
earnestness, and not on the failures or the
dishonesty of the opposition. The people are
not acting upon mere impulse this year, but
more than ever before are looking facts in the
face, judging parties fairly and impartially,
and waiting. And that seems to be the lesson
for both parties that both are on their good
behavior.