The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-11-25
Examiner & Chronicle.1
What The Election Means.

LII H6duS IudG Gu6T6 Is SuCn C01ng
as political conscience, after all, and
that political leaders must heed it, or
the people will call them to account.
1t means that all is not yet fair in pol
itics, and that personal abuse, SANDER,
falsehood and forgery cannot be en-
ployed without restraint on the plea
of political exigency. 1t means that
the men who undertake to conduct a
campaign that shall smirch the per-
sonal character of their opponents, will
themselves be quite likely to come out
Of it smirched and disgraced, and with
neither the support nor the respect of
their fellow-citizens. Among the
many things we see reason to be
thankful for in the result of the cleo
tions, foremost are these pregnant les
sons and the signal rebuke which they
convey.
In common with all true citizens
who are jealous Of the good name and
fame of their country before all the
world, we have felt the keenest regret
and shame at some features of the re-
cent canvass. Attacks on personal
character are not only indefensible on
grounds of right and decency, but in
evitably degrading and demoralizing
in their effects. We cannot afford to
lower our politics to the ''mud-throw-
ing" plane. The fault, unfortunately,
has not been confined to any one side.
But we have yet to learn that the Ma
tional Committee of the successful par
ty either employed or gave open sane
ton to such utterly unworthy means
as were both employed and sanctioned
by the National Committee of the
party which has met with defeat. Its
own best members must join in repro
batting the course of its representatives,
and in recognizing that upon such
leadership as that of Mr.. Barnum the
people have stamped merited reproof
and warming. A Memphis journal in
summing up the results says: "Instead
Of discussion of the measures of pub
lie policy that would promote the gen.
eral welfare, the Democratic managers
assailed the personal character Of Gar
field, and expended all their force from
first to last trying to convince the
Republican voter that Garfield was a
thief and periurer. The low-toned
character given to the canvass by the
selection of Barnum as Chairman was
a blunder, and so was the campaign a
succession of astonishing blunders. 1t
was a carnival of narrow-minded poll
ticians, where they played fantastic
tricks"
This election means, again, free
l. IL Ell 10 h0r,oc4
1t also means sound money, protect
ing tariff, and continued prosperity.
In furthering these ends the people
have right to expect much from the
knowledge and influence of President
elect Garfield as the head of the gov
ernment. We do not claim that he is
faultless man, one who has never in
the course Of a long and active life
done a wrong thing. What man of
us all could stand a test like that?
Nor do we see that there is reason for
seeking in a man in public life per-
fectness and freedom from error which
we DO not look for in private individ-
uals, and which is not common to hu-
manity. What we do believe of Mr..
Garfield is that he is all that the Lou
isville Courier-Journal says of him
since his election that he is person
Of commanding intellect, a voluminous
experience in public affairs, incapable
alike of personal venality or maligni-
ty, and capable of being and of wish
ing to be a just Chief Magistrates" and
that, as the Newly ork Herald says:
Mr. Garfield will come into the great
office under circumstances favorable
to a marked influence on the policy of
the government. His ripe experience,
his personal acquaintance with MEM
bers of Congress and his knowledge
of all aspects of public questions, will
open to him all the channels of legiti-
mate influence" In view of these
facts and of his unquestioned ability,
broad craftsmanship, and sincere Chris
tian character, we expect Mr.. Garfield
to give the country one Of the wisest,
purest, and most judicious and pro-
gressive administrations that it has
ever had.
1t is alike the pleasure and the duty
of every good citizen to expect this,
and to encourage the Administration
in its realization by every practicable
means. There is important work to
be done in the next four years. The
issues Of the past must give way to
new issues. As an outcome OF this
victory for national government and
a united people, sectionalism ought tC
die away, and a generous and wise pol