The Rock Island Argus., 1878-11-08
The General Result.

MAKING 30 mHou Ok ~ Auu 70 UoEoAy .
victory of plurAlities. Not in any import
ant instances have they made q clean
clear sweep which could be fairly esteemed
q victory Of essential consequence. The
republicans have made gains in congress-
men at the North, but so far as the returns
yet in 20 to show they have not gained
enough to give them the House of Repre-
sentatives, The gains they have made
are partially offset by their losses at the
South, and their total losses now and at
the October elections have not been over
come by their gains so as to surmount the
democratic majority. So far as reported |
the republicans gain in the Northern
States in this falls elections sixteen con-
Rressmeu, but they lose at the same time in
South Carolina three, in Missouri three,
ia Tennessee one, in Louisiana one, and in
North Carolina one. At the October
election they lost ten-6ye distinctively
democrats, and five democratic- green
back. The present congress stands dem
ocrats 157, republicans 1856, Adding to
the democrats their own positive gain in
October and November of Ia and their
total number in the next House will be III
less losses, counting all opposition)
which leaves then l5S, clear majority
over all opposition combined of ii. Later
returns may slightly change the number
Of their majority, but it is now quite
certain the democrats will
have clear working majority
over all combined opposition. Of those
elected as greenback it is tolerably certain
that some considerable number will act
mainly with the democrats; it will be for
their interest to do so, to say nothing of
their former antecedents being decidedly
democratic. Considering the extraordi-
nary efforts made by the republicans, and
the detection from the democratic party
by reason Of the third party, the success
of the democracy is matter of sincere
conRratulation and argues well for future
success. All that the republicans have
to boast of is that they have simply pre-
vented the democratic party from increas-
ing its members in the House over the
present majority.
For the first time in eighteen years the
democrats will have both Houses of
Congress with clear working majority il
each, There is nothing to prevent their
legislating in accordance with democratic
principles and enacting laws which shal
be framed to represent the policy of the
democratic party, except the presidential
veto, What the republicans may be dis
posed to do in concert with Mr.. Hayes re-
mains to be developed. Thus far in his
administration they have only been in accorC
with him to the extent OF enjoying the
spoils of Office, and in other respects have
left him to take care of himsel
as best he could. They have in fact
shown a bitterness Of feeling on account o
his southern policy exceeding that of dem
ocrats, 1t is probable the result of thu
falls election may bring them to his sup
port with more positiveness than hereto
fore, in order through him to more effectu
ally operate against democrats. They wi
be obliged to do so or be utterly powerles
in matters of legislation.
1t lis one Of the peculiarities Of the cor
test Just closed, that Notwithstanding th
widespread financial distress which prt
walls, the people have not engaged into th
canvass with anything like the enthusiasm
or made anything like the outward an
noisy demonstrations which were expected
By far the noisiest portion of the peopl
have been those constituting the third pal
ty. The great mass of the people have y
doubt been deeply interested in the resul
but their feelings have led them to cart
full and considerate review of the generi
condition and to quiet and effective e1
preston of their views at the polls ratht
than to political gatherings and listeniI
t. the exhOrtations Of political leader
The discussion of public questions hav
no doubt bad not little effect, and DO
sibly have produced changes in many Il
calities, but they have not been marke
with even ordinary attendance, and pol
tlcians were never more at a loss to jude
OF what the effects were likely to be. III
people have chosen to think for then
selves, and while they have listened wit
patience and attention have nevertheless
given but little outward demonstrate
Of their actual intentions. But the ele,
tions have shown their real sentiment
and now that the democracy have th
ascendency in both branches of the nj
tional legislature it behooves them to al
with circumspeetion and to legisIate fl
the interests Of the country with wisdol
and moderation. If this is done, and the
show themselves equal to the occasion
there is nothing to be feared when II
struggle of 1880 shall arrive. Party inte
ests, while they may be carefully attendt
to and legitimately shaped with a Wi
reference to the future, must al the san
time be made subordinate az
auxiliary to the great and predominatir
interests and well being of the cOuntr,
Now is the golden opportunity to creat
confidence and allay the fears Of CONNIE
cial and industrial interests. The dem,
cracy occupy safe and middle ground b.
tween the extremes upon financial cue
tions. and, are 10 condition to inaugura,
measures which shall do oinjustice to an