Litchfield enquirer., 1879-11-13
The Election.

The result Of the Novembersel elections is ar
 even more overwhelming defeat of the Democ
 racy than had been expected. Massachusetts
 Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl
 vania, Wisconsin. Minnesota, and Nebraska,
 all fall into the Republican column with in-
 creased majorities. Were 1880 sure to follow
 the lead of 1879, we cannot see where the
 Democrats could count with certainty on a .l single Northern state. The extra session has
 welded the old Free States into Solid North.
 Yet, triumphant as the elections seem, there
 is but small margin left for Republican blun-
 ders in the conduct of the next presidential
 campaign. Let us examine the Massachusetts
 vote little closely? Long, Republican, has
 but z, 3,254 plurality over the Democratic and
 Butler vote combined. There is probably a
 larger Independent Republican element in
 Massachusetts than in any other State. In a
 contest between Grant and Bayard, or Blaine | and Bayard, could the Republicans count with certainty on the electoral vote of Massachu-
 sets? We judge not.
 Then, in Connecticut, though there is gain
 of over 2,500 votes by the Republicans on last year in the senatorial vote it must not be set down as certain that the state will go Repub- lican on the popular vote in 1880. The Green back party is practically defunct. Most of it's members have gone back to the Democracy, from which they originally came. Then again, the Republican Senators poll heavier majori- ties. than the ordinary state ticket. The policy of nominating wealthy men, or large employers who can influence large numbers of employees. makes the votes cast in such elections decep- tive test. In Torrington, for instance, MT. Coe had g majority greater by more than two hundred than either of the. Republican Repre- sentatives. Furthermore, the exceptional vote of an off year is an uncertain reliance. We believe that with good nominations, the Re- publcans are reasonably sure of carrying the State in 1880; but, with weak Republican nominations, it might easily go over to the Democracy. t.. -. . ...s.
 In New York the necessity of good Republi can nominations is demonstrated at this very election. MT. Cornell, the Republican nomi- nee, was extremely objectionable to the better men of the party. He had the advantage of the Kelly bolt from the Democracy of some 70, 900 votes, yet he is only elected by aboHt 35, 900 plurality, while the rest of the Repub- lican ticket runs about even with the Kelly and Robinson vote combined. The Sun esti- mates the bolt against Cornell at about 10000 in the city of New York, and 25, 900 Tn the State. t..-........
 The inference from these figures is irresisti- ble that nomination for the presidency in 1 1880 as objectionable to Reform Republicans as that of Cornell has proved in 1879, would l inevitably give the state to united Democra- cy. As it is now plain that New York is to 1 be the pivotal state in 1880, is it not equally | plain that there must be nominations which l are acceptable to the entire Republican party, and not to the Stalwarts alone to insure suc- cess in that election? - .. ..-
 It is now conceded that the defeat of Robin | son has placed Tilden hors de cons6Gt. Is it | not equally true that Grant, Conkling, and | perhaps Blaine, are equally out of the ques- tion9 The nomination of Grant for the presi- | dency would mean precisely what the nomi- l nation of Cornell meant st the last election, a | Republican repudiation of Reform and the na- 1 tional platform of 1876. To be sure, many l Reform Republicans who fear Bourbonism | and the Solid South more than they fear Bel | knapery, Carpetbaggery, and the Spoils Sys- l tenn, would vote for Grant as choice of evils but, in so close state, we imagine that good Democratic nominee would prove successful | against either Grant, Conking or Blame.
 In short, the elections of 1879 indicate that, with good candidate committed to the Re form platform of 1876, the Republicans will have no difficulty in carrying the presidential election. With mere Stalwart, however, nominated on platform ignoring the promises l of reform made in 1876, defeat would be more than probable, Altogether, the condition of affairs is very hopeful Tae politicians of neither party are strong enough to insult the people with such nominations as we feared at one time that they might offer.