The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-11-12
AFTER TIE BATTLE.
GLEAN1NGs FROM THE FIELD.

The result Of the elections during
the past week in 8 States, foreshadows
clearly and Enthusiastically, the mag
nitude Of the contest in which the
two great parties in this country are
to engage in 1880. 1t is not too
much to say, that before the din and
smoke of the late conflict shall have
been dispelled, or the results fully
revealed to US, that the great masses
of the contending hosts will be pre-
pairing for the gigantic struggle to
which both are advancing.
In the Empire State, towards
which all eyes have been turned, the
result is quite satisfactory. Though
Governor Robinson has been defeat
ed, it is clearly established that New
York can be relied upon to cast her
vote for the Democratic nominees up
on the National ticket next year.
The tide which, in the October
elections, had set so strongly in ia
vor of the Republicans, has not only
been stayed, but, in great measure,
turned back upon them.
In whatever light we may view the
shifting majorities, and the apparent
instability of public sentiment at the
North, within the past few years, we
cannot fail to gather increased conf
dence in the determination Of the
people to preserve inviolate the So.
cred purposes for which this govern
ment was founded, and to permit no
traditions Of party services or
achievements to mislead them in the
issues which they are called upon tc
decide.
In contemplating the bitter strife
and the sectional prejudices engen'
dered by the war, and the extreme
measures and the harsh policy advo
Gated and pursued by Northern lead
ers, in the work of reconstruction, il
is truly gratifying to note how the
intelligent masses have grappled
intrigue and delicate questions, and
with what wisdom they are working
out the great problems which have
puzzled and perplexed the SO calico
statesmen. Standing, as We do, up
on high ground, in the full posses
sion of our local governments, W,
cab look forward with less anxiety
than has beset us in the past.
1t should be the aim of our peopl,
to abstain from excuses of any ant
every sort, and to divest the canvass
of any charges of lawlessness ant
oppression, with which the people o
the South, since the war, have beer
repeatedly assaulted. A vigorous en-
forcement of the laws and rigid ad
ministration of justice is demanded
no less in the interest of our materi
al welfare and advancement, than a
removing most potent and danger
Gus weapon from the hands of on
}enemies. But let us not be under
} stood as admitting that a 1.-THE 9th
crimes charged against us has eve
been committed; we confess tina
/ there have been few signal instan
ces in which outraged communitie
have meted out summary justice t.
those who, at the instigation of de
signing and reckless leaders, hav
trampled upon and invaded the mos
sacred rights of the citizen; but
thank God! the deyilish malignit,
and hatred of fanatics, with all tn
. ingenuity they could bring to bea
in distorting facts, has not serve'
! them as it was hoped it would.
Looking at the situation as deter
mined by the recent elections, :her
is no reason why the Democrati
candidates next. year should not sue
coed by an easy majority. The sol
Id South casts 1873 electoral votes
and it requires but Al more to elect
| New York and Indiana together cas-
so. Except by unfortunate and i'm
polite nominations these two State
may be relied upon to decide tn
contest, without considering tn
chances Of success also in New Jer
sey, Connecticut, Oregon and Cali
jfOrnia.