The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-11-22
LESSONS OF THE ELECTION.

Mr.. r.. V. Smalley, OF the New 1ofk
Tribune, thinks some lessons have been
learned from the late elections, which
lessons he sets ont as follows:
First-Thc Republican. party is not
tied to the President, nor is it commit
ted to the views of those who differ with
him. 1t allows the largest freedom Of
opinion. 1t likes a brisk discussion Of
current politics, and the projection Of
positive ideas into q canvass, no matter
whether the ideas are entertained by all
its members or not. If there is a con-
lict of opinion In n convention, the
beaten men do not sulk, but rather en-
Joy the stirring up they get. The great
underlying ideas Of the party subsist,
and are strong enough to bind it togeth-
cr, no matter what Quarrels may arise
over the transient issues OF the hour.
There's a deal of truth In what Mr.. Til
den says of the foundation ideas Of Il
party existing from generation to gen
Grafton, although, looking through his
Democratic s]pcctaclcs, he does not seem
to comprehend very accurately what
Republican ideas are. lie thinks the
party believes in a "high Government
which shall override State authority,
and interfere with the daily life Of the
citizen. What it really believes In is Il
strong, free and honest Government,
which shall equally protect the rights
of all citizens, and equally regard the
interests of all classes and all sections of
the country. 1t further believes that
these United States are Il nation-an
idea that even the war failed to beat
into the heads Of the old Democratic
leaders.
Second-The Republican party is
shown by the elections to be still apow-
erful organization, capable of running
itself without the Federal otllceholders,
and in excellent fighting trim for futule
campaigns. He who runs may read
this lesson in figures Of the returns.
The great mass of the Republicans OF
former wears came out and voted.
Many did not care for the men running
for Office, and many disapproycd Of the
platforms, but they voted to show that
they are still Republicans, and still
think that the advent of the Democracy
TO power in the nation would be u ca
lamity. The party, then, is solid. Even
the follies of its leaders can not split it.
Here it is in the field of politics just
where it used to be, holding to its own
faiths. still united and formidable, and
shoru of very little Of its old strength.
Third-Thc party fights best only
when it fights for a distinct principle,
identified with its traditional policy.
That was shown in Wisconsin, where
the Republicans pushed the canvass on
hard-moncy grounds, not yielding any
thing to the delusions that had crept
into their own party, but combating
them ms the hcresies of their opponents,
as they really arc. Wisconsin used to
be counted much closer state than
Ohio. and when Ohio went Democratic
this fall it seemed impossible to save it,
Nor could IL have been saved If the Re
nubIican Convention had given way to
the cheap silver and greenback clamor.
The settled principles of the Republic
can party favor a strictly honest ur-
rency and a yigilant defense Of the ma
tional credit. Any departure from them
will invariably lose more votes than 1t
gains.
Finally, with the fine esprit du corps
shown still to prevail in the Republican
ranks-mind, there has been 10 dcscr-
ton this fall, but, only a little tagging
in the rcar)-and with the additional
blunders and follics which the Demo
Gratis are pretty sure to commit in Con-
gress this winter, the Republican party
ought to be in good shape by another
wear. If there is no more scolding at
thc President on account of what he has
done in the south, and if the Admins
tration will be more careful to make its
appointment rest at least on the yergeS
of It's ample theory of Civil Service Re
form. the croakcrs will soon find their
! o%rrunotiou zone,