The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-11-05
To-day's Elections, and the Prospects
of Democratic Success.

The election of to-day is looked upon
with unusual interest The republicans
have staked their party supremacy upon
the issue. If they are fairly beaten before
the country and the democrats obtain an
absolute majority Of the House of Repre-
sentatives, it will be virtual defeat OF the
republicans for the presidential race OF
1880. In such event the democrats will
have 10th houses of congress for the next
two ensuing years and can pass such meas
ures for the relief Of the country aud for
its future interests as they may deem nee
essary and proper, and there will be only
presidential veto left to the republicans.
IfPresideut Hayes chooses to place him
self on record as the opponent OF congress
aud the yetoer of every democratic meas
ure, it will put the republicans on record
30 that the people will understand clearly
their position; either they must repudiate
Hays and his vetoes or else they must sus-
tain him and make bis action theirs; and in
any event it will be embarrassing because
the success of the democracy at this time
will be definite expression of majority OF
the people that they are on that side and APP
prove the positions taken by them at this
time in their appeal TO the country. These
remarks are made upon the. assumption
that throughout the country at large the
democrats will gain the ascendency, Any
pretension that such will absolutely be the
case would be beyond human intelligence
to predict, but the probabilities appear to
favor the democrats and we confidently
look for such a result. The greenback
movement has been an uncertain and to
some extent disturbing element in the
present contest, but outside of certain
localities it has not gained any special
foothold for itself, and in the event of demo
cratic success will die a natural death
from exhaustion, It's democratic element
will see in the success Of the democratic
party the way open to the Attachment of
reform, economy, and financial relief to a
larger extent than through their own
separate and feeble organization and they
willpreier what the democratic party will
offer to remaining helplessly by themsel-
yes.
If unexpectedly, and as now seems i'm
probable, the republicans should regain
possession of the House OF Representatives
or the Nationals should elect enough
members to hold the balance and be able
to play fast and loose for the sake of gaining
favors from one side or the other
then the present results would become
virtually a drawn battle and the demo
Gratis would be obliged at once to begin tC
shape affairs for the tremendous struggl,
which would inevitably ensue two year!
hence. The democratic party never dies
Particular exigencles in publ affair
sudden and irresistible popular excite
ments have at times swept over the couu
try, and they have time aud again beef
defeated at the polls, but the principles O
democracy are an inherent necessity t
the we'll being of people living under
representative form of government an
consequently the party never dies.
What is written to-day while the cleo
tons are going on, and the results G
which will Of course be known ~ a fe'
DAYS at fartbest, may necessarily be moo
lied to some exteut in regard to actui
democratic strength, bat 10 no other r,
spect do we know Of anything which wi
need to be changed to meet the views an
opinions Of democrats A check 10 tn
victorious course of the democracy wi
only stimulate 10 greater and renewe
attempts to gain absolute supremacy
national affairs, and even the disasters {
an out and out defeat will not destroy th
organization or the mission of the demo
cratic party.
THE ARGUS is not alone in belief OF In
mediate and present success, and we sui
init in this connection toe remarks of ii
New York Sun, Journal not 80 euthus
astically democratic as to be carried TO
ward into any special leaning on the demt
cratic side. If its calculations should prov
in the end to have been too favorable I
democracy, it will only serve to show thu
even the best informed are liable to mi
calculate the chances of political issue
when about to be decided at the ballC
box.
The ARGUS has at all times spoken car
didly and fairly respecting the chances {
the elections of to-day from a democrat
standpoint, aud if the results shall NJ
prove to be all that was hoped for or e1
pected, we are very confident they will a
ford no real grounds for discouragemen
In some particulars it is trial Of strength
but as a whole it is feeling the way, asce
tang the strength and organization of Ii
other parties, and preparing thorough
and Understandings for the future,
Speaking of the General Elections of t.
day the Sun remarks:
Important elections occur in thirty-or
states on Tuesday, Nov 5. Seven stat,
elect their governors, and larger numbt
elect the whole or the majority part
their legislatures, which, 10 January mex
Will choose senator's in congress All th
thirty one states will elect members of th
house OF representatives. The number
be chosen on Tuesday is two hundred an
forty, being four fifths of the entir
house. -,
From these facts il will be appare,
that the contest to be decided on Tuesda
is second in importance only 10 presideI
tial election.