Smyrna times., 1878-11-13

THE ELECTION AND ITS LEssoNs.-The
without its surprises and lessons to all
parties. The noisey efforts of the Nationals
throughout the summer was generally look |
ed upon by the leaders of the other par |
ties as "fuss and fury signifying nothing"
but when the election in Maine came with |
its wonderful Greenback upheaval, making
that party the second in numerical strength,
it "put them to their stumps." The sue
ceeding month was a triangular fight
(except in Delaware and the Southern
States), that called out the latent strength
of the old leaders and it became battle
of the giants" The result was not only
adisastrous defeat to the eGreenbackers, buta
reversal of the majorities of the Democrats
in many Districts and States because OF
their coouetting with this heresy. 1t fur
tber showed that President Hayes has not
been killed by the Republican party, but
that both, when touched by the proper
magnetic influence, have the power to
arise from an apparent open grave, and
break the bands which were thought to
have secured them for their burial.
The history of the nation shows that we
want two political parties; it is not for the
best interest of the country for any party
to become so strong that an aroused people
cannot teach it a salutary lesson when it
may be needed.
An election occurring on the same day
in thirty States of the Union for members
of Congress could not fail to reflect the
main drift and current of public opinion
throughout the country. Fortunately the
lesson which it teaches and the mora
which the general result serves to enforct
are no less wholesome and salutary thar
they are obvious and direct. 1t is NOR
than ever apparent that the common sens
and common honesty of the American pee
pie can be depended upon for just solu
ton of the currency question. The SC
called "greenback" movement-that un
known factor in the politics of the countr
which was to revolutionize everything ant
lead to a new organization OF partles-ha
proved less formidable than the most arden
friends of honest money dared to hope
Insteed of sweeping the country like
tidal wave" it has only engulfed the III
fortunate politicians who trusted to 1t
watt them into place and power.
1t is apparent that the party which
any particular locality has shown most sigl
of Welding to the "greebackers and gor
further in counting their support has bee
the one to suffer most in consequenc
Another salient and significant fact tilt
trated by the result of the elections is Il
disposition and readiness of the people
rise above party ties and partisan consider
tions wherever the cause of honest mon
or of honest government were at stall
This was notably the case in Massachuset
The defeat of Butler is a subject of CT
graduation to the whole country. Not
so is the manner Of his defeat. Der
cratic votes freely gives for Gov. Talbc
the republican candidate, have sigma
avenged the outrage perpetrated upon
democratic party in the impudent and
chile capture Of the State convention of
party at Worcester by the Butterflies.
Mr. Edward Cooper, an anti-Tamm;
democrat, is elected to the mayoraltI
New York city, by a combination OF rep
licans and democrats, over Mr.. Schell,
candidate of the Tammany organizat
and its leader. In some cases republic
have succeeded by the votes of hardmo
democrats in defeating by increased ma
ties democrats who were tinctured '
greenback or irredeemable currency viz
In other cases where "greenback ca
dates were in the field, the republic
have succeeded through the falling o.
democratic votes by defections to the
party. The Baltimore Sun says: " Loo
at from either point of view, the demoC
have lost by failure to adhere to
own hardm money principles and traditi
1t is impossible that party leaders can
take the significance and warning of
lessons. They grossly underrate the p
lar intelligence when they imagine
they can play fast and loose with prin
and not be found out-that they can {
water on both shoulders and escape
popular censure and rebuke. The pc
are often wiser and nearly always hon
than self-seeking would-be leaders
guides"