The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-09-05
Why the Tendency of Public Scnti.
mcnt ~ Toward the Democrats.

II il to be expected that the rival political
chieitains will make encouraging reports
from their respective bailiwicks. All the
recognized traditions would he departed from
if any Democratic or Republican leader were
TO acknowledge that his party is doomed to
defeat in any State. Thus it happens that in
the columns of our Republican contcmpora-
rics we see the Democrats overwhelming
defeated cvcrywhere, while our esteemed
contemporaries who are laboring for the sue
cess of Hancock see the signs of victory
for their cause everywhere. Reasonable
beings place little confidence in the sweep
ing prophecies on either side. The Re-
publican hopes to see his party squeeze
through, and the Democrat anticipates sure
gains which, added to the clear ma oriy east
for Mr.. Tilden in 1876, will defeat Mr.. Gar
field in November. 1t is very difficult
matter to disturb the electoral habits of !;
State. Now and again there are tidal waves,
but they do not come often, and after they
subside there is noticeable tendency shown
to return to the old levels. A healthy growth
is gradual in politics as well as in the animal
and vegetable world. One reason why Dem
Ocratc confidence in substantial gains is
justified is that there has been a steady Dem
ocratic gain throughout the country for the
past ten years. Sometimes it has been rapid,
at others slow, and occasionally retarded by
temporary reaction; but, upon the whole,
there has been pcrceptible tendency
on the part of the country toward Dcmoc-
racy, accompanied, of course, with n cor
responding disintegration of the rival or
sanization. Thus, both East and West, we
have seen States like Maine, Massachusetts,,
Iowa, and Ohio, which used to be Republican
every time by great maioritics, shaken TO
their centres, and on various issues carried
by the Democrats, while no equal y marked
Democratic States have given way. This is
due TO several causes, the chief of which, per-
haps, was the inevitable development of good
feeling between all sections of the country,
involving disaster to those who made the
fatal mistake of hazarding their political
fortunes on their ability TO perpctuate
enmity. That the North and the South
would come to II good understanding in
time was never doubtful. Their common
traditions, common origin, common re-
ligion, and common literature rendered
this certain. The causes which separated
them were temporary in their nature, and
the heartburnings which were created by the
Civil War were equally devoid of abiding
characteristics. When the Republican poll
ticians trimmed their sails To the breeze of
passion, rather than TO the current setting
steadily toward unity, they made the wreck
of their vessel, n thing hardly TO he avoided.
II thus happens that The more candid mem
bers of that organization have been striving
earnestly Ia shift their course, so To speak.
They would iain have the voters give their
attention To the material condition of the
country to-day, disregardng the past, and
consider whether it il well to vote for a
change of parties that may involve an i'm
portant change of commercial policy. Habit
however, has proved stronger than reason
The great body of the Republican politicians
| cannot get rid of their sectional spirit, and
they find it impossible to devise any justin
cation Of themselves without appealing again
to the bitterness of the past. The Democrats,
on the other hand, have the enormous ad-
vantage of having, despite much blundering
seamansIip, steered for many years directly
for the harbor which all good men desire 10
reach. That this disposition to give victory
10 the Democracy Is strengthened 10y the
candidacy of Gen. Hancock goes without say
ing. lie is the very embodiment Of the senti-
ment of unpreiudiccd patriotism. His ser
vices TO the Republic command the admra-
ton of every good citizen. His suhordnation
of the sword to the civil law touches tender
place in the hearts of all who understand the
genius Of government by the people. His
| refusal 10 he made an instrument for the
| oppression of the States that had surrendered
to him aud his gallant associates ON the bat
tle-ilcld had in it that knighily quality which
| eNcit"6 admiration wherever seen. Without
making odious comparisons, we may he per-
mittrd Ia say that MIR. Garfield can render
DO such service to the Republican cause
Brooiign Edgie.