New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-15
TILE E4LLnRE or MrD.SLLNG ING.

II has not seemed good to the Democratic
party to employ arguments this year. Per-
hans the reason is that 1t has 10 arguments
to employ. But it has used mud, freely and
constantly. In vile blackguardism, the Demo-
cratic campaign of this year has never been
SURPASSED. II may dawn upon the Democratic
intellect to-day that mud Is not an ehectFe
weapon in warfare. General Garfield. more
vIlhnousy abused than any otner candina'e
of either party for many years, comes ouV
with a heavier vote and Il larger majority III
his own State and in Indiana, than has oech
given in the elections preceding the fIoSi-
Dental contest n any other time for sixteen
years. In he heat and passion ct the war,
when the land was ringing with Union VIC
tories. and when Father Abraham known
10 all loyal people as their leader, was a can
lidatc for reelection, the Republicans carried
Ohio by 5I7jI and Indiana by 2o,SS3 at the
October elections but neither tnar party nor
any other has ever done as well since That
time, i'm the Oscly contested state elections
Of Presidential years, as the Republican
narty has done in this campaign OF mud.
There has been no abuse of General Han
cock. His integrity has never been questioned {;
Republicans have given him full and hearty
praise for his splendid services as soldier.
His political utteranccs have been criticised,
as was proper, and such of his acts a seemed
10 show a lack OF the Qualiic tons needed in
nigh Office But his wtrmcst friends have
never found reason TO complain that Rcpub-
ican speakers or writer's treated him discOur-
tcously or inherently. While bis supporters
were loading their speeches and crowdng
their journals with the nearest ISLANDERS
about General Garfield, hosting them on ban
ners and transparencieS, and causing walls
and pavements to break ont with them, the
ReDuolicans have contented themselves with
argument. The result is that General Han
cock seems likely to be left without n single
Northern electoral vote. Mud-slIuging may
nave its effect mt the South, though there is no
proof of it except that Southern politicians
seem to think il a necessary feature in a
campaign but it does not pay at the North.
In this part of the country, n party which
has no reasons to offer had better say nothing.
Ii can never make SANDER serve instead Of
sense.
There was an experienced and shrewd Dem
ocrat, Alexander III. Stephens, who warned his
associates early IN the contest that the North
could not be carried by throwing mud at Gen
eral Garfield. He is an honest man." said
Mr.. Stephens, land If the Democrats assail
" his personal character they will surely elect
him." With what contempt his advice was
received Yet Mr. Stephens seems to have
been, on the whole, more nearly right than
any other man III his party. The battle is
virtually ended by the elections in Ohio and
Indiana. And those States, knowing General
Garfield thoroughly, and hearing with indig-
nation the infamous falsehoods and mean mis-
representations about him, have responded in
a way to make Democratic ears Jingle. If the
party had any political principle for which it
could contend, perhaps it might change its
tactics even now. As it has none, we sup
pose it will continue to sling mud-whlch
sticks only to itself.