The Rock Island Argus., 1878-11-08
Ghe g aile Atsas,
aoCx ISLAND.
The Lessor. Of the Election,
st. louis Republican.

81. Louis hepuDi1can.
As things now look the democracy have
done quite as we'll at the late election as
they had any right to expect; rather bet
ter, in fact They have not merely held
their own in the national legislature, but
increased their majority to a size amply
sufficient for all practical purposes. Had
the result been far less satisfactory; bad
it even been equivalent to defeR Rt, 10 in
telligent democrat could have said it was
wholly undeserved--for there has been re-
markable zeal displayed in throwing away
valuable political advantages. No argu-
ment, we think, is required to show that
the republican fraud which put Hayes in
the place belonging to Tilden, gave the
democratic party the largest a mount of
available political capital any party in this
country over had. Nothing more was
needed to insure sweeping victory in 1878
and 1880 than the proper utilization of
this capital. The monstrous swindle per-
petrated by republican returning boards
and republican electoral com omission,
could have been and should have beenthe
main, if not the only, point OF de mocratic
attack. The sympathy and support of an
overwhelming majority of the people
would have been with the democrats in
that attack, and the republican, could
have offered no effective resistance. Their
presidential triumph had been purchased
at price which made it worse than
the worst defeat. Bnt the de mocracy
dropped the stout club already n their
hands to pick up q rotten stick. They
abandoned an impregnable position TO
/ take one assailable in flank and rear.
There was not the slightest necessity of
spriDging the financial question at this
time. 1t might safely have been lett
on the shelf for the present. But il
brought down for an Immediate issue,
there should have been unanimity about
its treatment at least. Instead of which
the democrats in one state were in favor
of hard money, in another IN favor OF
soft; iu one state they advocated imitation
Iin another resumption; 10 one state thi:
remedy for financial evils, and IN another
that. There was no organized party &C
ton; nothing bat independent and indis
! crimiuate fighting all along the line. Ih
wonder is that this bushwhacking stra
tegy did not bring appropriate and richly
merifed chastisenent.
1t is to be hoped the democracy WI
: learn wisdom from experience, and have
better plan of campaign IN 1880 than i
9 1878. IF they do not, their chances Q
success in the presidential contest ar
small indeed There must be thoroug
unity of action; DO division of forces; n
: riding of local hobbies: no advocating {
/ both sides of the same question; no rur
Is ming after false gods. The enemy is wide
N awake and ready to seize and improv
every advantage democratic disorganiza
ton may offer. Those who think thel
will be democratic walk over" in l8s
are fools or blind. It promises to be th
bitterest and most desperate struggle
: the annals of American politics. II
ID party which has had twenty years III
broken lease of power will not fall to piec'
: and give up the ghost at the blowing
rams horns 1t will contest every inch
: ground, and die. if die it must, sword
hand and in the last ditch. If there a
any first-ciass democratic generals Il
sooner they come together in a council
war and decide where and how the a
preaching battle shall be fought, the bett
for the party prospects, We cannot W
by 'bull-luck and awkwardness" the ne
time.