National Republican., 1878-08-20


Democrat, was elected by 1,1o0 majority;
In the third district, wADDELL, Democrat
by tbs majority, and In the fourth dis
trict, DAVIS, Democrat, by 1,62e majority,
we begin toeomprchend what has occurred.
The returns of the fifth district (SCALEsO
are not before us but undoubtedly somc-
thing like what has occurred in the districts
mentioned has happened in them only in a
less extent
II is admitted that calculations upon the
coming Congressional elections cannot be
entirely based upon the results of the mis-
cellaneous opposition to the Bourbon vote
shown in this late voting, but II may be in
ferred plainly that the same causes exist,
and will probably continue 10 exist, which
have produced this extraordinary result. 1t
Is perfectly well known that there Is o great
deal Of latent hostility to YEATEs am ong
the Democrats of the first district, and q
very bitter feeling in the third district
against WADDELL among the Democrats.
Anybody who knows the condition of that
district would not deny that II STEADMAS,
who was announced as candidate, had not
withdrawn. he would have run very close
upon WADDELL. The situation in the fourth
| Otaleigh) district is very curious and anus
ing. The Hon. JOSIAH TURNER former
editor of the Raleigh Scaiinci, hitherto
most violent Democratic partisan, has been
elected as an Independent from the county
of Orange to the lower house Of the Legis-
laturo, getting more than 800 Democratic
votes, and nearly every Republican vote in
the county. When 10 is remembered that
the Bourbon majority In the fourth district
never Inns exceeded 1,700, it will he seen
that TURNER will be likely to be elected if
he can hold his Orange vote and the Repub-
lican vote Of the district. lie has already
announced himself as an independent can
didate for Congress.
There will be no end of attempts on the
part of the Bourbons to carry these districts
by the application of the party lash, by
compromise, by concession, and adjust
ments. If the dissatisfaction among the
Democrats shall prove strong enough to re-
sist tho discipline Of the party, and these
irregular demonstrations continue and in
crease, thore is no calculating what up
heavings and confusion may occur in other
districts than those mentioned.
Not the least part of the drama in North
Carolina will bo the wrangle for the United
States SenatorShip As the situation is ut
present, If all tho Democrtic members of
the Legislature were TO assemble in caucus,
more than two-thirds Of them would vote
| for
in the vicinity Of thirty votes. OF course
If those who voted for MERRrMoS submit
ted to the decision Of the caucus VANCE
would be elected without difficulty. If
MERRIMoSs friends should bolt, as they
did in 1S72, and the sixty or seventy Repub.
licans and Independents should vote for a
candidate of their own, there could be no
election as long as that condition Of things
existed. VANCE could only be elected by
the capitulation of the MERRIMoN men,
and MERRTMoN could not be elected but by
the solid votes Of the Republicans, Inde-
pendents &c. If it were an unincumbercd
question as between VANCE and MERRI-
MON, or VANCE and any other Democrat
undoubtedly VANCE would be elected.
Unfortunately MERRIMoN docs not appear
without preiudces against him either be-
fore the Democrats or Republicans. When
he bolted in lS72 he offended grieyously a.
most the solid body Of the Democrats.
Totally miscOnceiving the situation rs re-
lated to himself not comprehendins at all
his opportunity to become the leader of
new combination by moving over toward
the Republicans, who had given him four
times rs many votes as the Democrats,
with whatever following he had, he be-
came a most seryile sycophant to those
whom he had mortally offended, while no
took nearly every opportunity which Of
fered TO offend those Republicans who
were instrumental in his election. The
result is that the Republicans and Inde-
pendents will probably vote sullenly and
solidly for some candidate of their own,
leaving the Democrats to find their way out
Of their difficulties alone. After his course
In the Senate, the Republicans could not aid
in his election second time consistently
with their self-respoct. And If the Repub-
licans do not so miraculously to MERRI-
MONS rescue he will probably find himself,
not exactly man without II country" but
certainly a DOlitician without a following