New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-12
MAINE POINTS THE WAY.

says that the victory has run far beyond his
calculations His sagacious lieutenant Mr.
John l.. Stevens telegraphs us that the
figures look like 1900 Republican majority,
with all the Congressman. The Democrats eX-
pected to cut down the majority to something
Ike 1000. Our own cautious and experienced
correspondent after n thorough study OF
the field, estimated the majority at be-
tween 5000 and 10000, and placed
two of the Congressional Districts in
doubt The most hopeful Republican estimate,
with favorable weather, was only 10000. II
they have carried the majority IN to $4,000,
the Republicans have great reason TO be proud
Of their achievement, and Mr.. Blaine has set
a brilliant example, which his competitors at
Cincinnati would do well in their respective
States to initiate.
1t is possible that some of these early reports
may lie Over-sanguine but there is enough,
at any rate. to show the set of the current.
in Maine, far more decidedly than in Vermont,
il is still with the Republicans. The Democrats
look in vain for their tidal wave. For those
who put faith in computations of gam or loss,
small variations in the vote, when fully re-
turned, may have interest. Enough is known
already to prove that the cry OF Iilden ana
Reform" does not produce the expected
stampede of Republican voters. In the East
en States, at least, it is plain that the people
have not concluded to trust the Democratic
party. To the majority of voters, that party
seems to lie just what it has been for twenty
years-the party of reaction, OF shams, and OF
uncomfortable tendencies toward dislOyalty.
The voters of Maine do not think much the
worse of it because it nominated Mr.. Seymour
in New-York, or much the better of it because
it nominated Mir. Adams in Massachusetts.
They understand it very well. It's spirit is
known, and its prevailing tendencies, and
those who most I,eenly regret the faults of the
Republican party still feel taat the time has
not come to give control of the country to
Democracy.
Details will come later. In due time we
shall know how many Republicans did not
care to vote because the immediate results were
assured. The great fact is obvious already
there is no sweeping reaction in favor OF the
Democratic party. In 1910, when Maine went
for Gov. Kent, there was great cOmm0tl0n
throughout the land. A revolution IN public
opinion had come. For such revolution the
Democrats hoped this year, but there is no
sign whatever Of its coming. On the contrary,
that party cannot hold the ground gained in the
victories OF 1874 and 1875; the Republicans
who stayed at home then do not vote the
Democratic ticket now; and there Is every
reason to believe that, with respect to the
great body Of voters, the two parties go for
ward to the contest of this Fail not essentially
stronger or weaker than they were four years
or eight years ago. The Republicans have
votes enough 20 win, and their majority IN this
State or that may be, like Mercutios wound,
"not os wide as church door, nor rs deep rs
ga well, but il will do" In party strength,
properly considered the Democrats have gained
little, and the Republicans have lost little. and
if that were all OF the fight the end would be
certain.
We have already pointed to reasons for the
belief that the elections in Maine and Yer
mont are not to be relied upon az telling
the whole story. There are powerful influences
ot work elsewhere which have scarcely been
felt in those States. The contest Is to be de-
cidcd il Ohio, Indiana, and New-York, and in
those States large body of Independent
voters have the balance of power. similar
BODY Of voters, corresponding in strength and
conlpac.ness, has not existed in Vermont or
the results in those States render ii certain
that the independent voters are going wholly
to the Republican side, and it would be
as great an error TO estimate, from any
cain or loss in those States, what
proportion of the independents Will support
| Hayes and Wheeler. What the September
States have taught is simply this, that as to
the relative strength of those who are firmly
attached to the two parties, there has been
scarcely any change for years The Rcpubli-
can voters have no more faith i'll Democracy
than they had in 1868, when it nominated
Mr.. Seymour or in 1872, when it nominated
Mr.. Greeley. The constituent elements OF the
party are unchanged. The distrust OF Repub-
Lean voters is also unchanged.
What the independent voters will do we
shall learn in due time. OF those who have
hitherto represented them not one in twenty is
supporting Mr.. Tilden. More than half OF the
campaign is over, aud the Democrats are still
on the defensive, and are still conscious that
they are not gaining but losing ground'
Republican victories i'll the Eastern states VIII
greatly encourage the supporters OF that party
elsewhere, and possibly may encourage them
too much. They show that the party strength
! is ubroken, and that the expected tidal wave
has not come But they do not show how the
doubtful States will vote, and do not remove
tho necessity of careful, patient, and well-di-
rected effort to secure them. in word,
| Maine has done everything that brilliant sue
cess in a State substantially certain any way
could do, TO encourage the Republicans. 1t
| is now perfectly clear that Hayes and Wheeler
can be elected. 1t remains for Ohio, Indiana
| and New York to do it.