Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1880-11-18
IT'S SIGNIFICANCE.

The significance OF our VICTORY ~
to be found in it's magnitude. a
close and doubtful result would nave
prolonged the uncertainty of the
past four years. 1t would have been
a postponement and not a settle
ment. 1t would have decided moth
ing except that one set of men IN
stead of another should hold the
reigns and offices of the government.
Even this is of some consequence.
But it is the least important corol-
larry Of the election. The vital ques-
ton of an election is, not who shall
receive the most votes, but rather
what consequences shall flow from
| their 1t is these results
that all patriotic citizens look to
| But results of value filter slowly
| through narrow majorities. Where
majorities are small the courage OF
q party is bounded by the cowardice
of it weakest members. 1t is only
when a party knows that behind it
| there is the sustainment OF certain
majorities that it's greatest useful
ness is developed Then the drag
of the faltering and cowardly is not
felt. This is the position of the Re
publican party to-day. The people
| are with it. The unapimity With
which they have spoken leaves no
room to doubtit.
Invigorated by this majority the
Republican party enters upons:a new
| career. Tt is the party of 1860 re-
iuvenated by the best thought and
highest conscience of 1880. Thus
nerved and terminated it will en-
| ter with confidence and courage up
on its new life. Its President-elect
is exceptionally equipped for the
leadership to which he has been
chosen. His pure character is a
guarantee that his administration
will be spotless; and his career is an
assurance that the whole constitu-
tionalpower of the government will
be exercised to protect all its cltl-
zens and to enforce respect and
obedience to the laws. Gen. Gar
field will give the country an admin
istration that believes IN a nation
with a big N. The Republican par
ty viii bury the rag baby from sight;
and they will maintain the honor
and credit of the nation and foster
the industries ofthe country entrus-
ted to their care.
But the result ofthe election Will
not pause there. 1t has made the
folly and uselesSness Of a solid South
too evident to encourage its con-
tinuance. It cannot survive the
crushing blow. 1t has been sus-
tanned for years by a hope which
is dissipated forever. Without
hope it must perish. The Demo
Gratis of the north must be convinced
that it is q burden beyond their
strength, and they must be among
the earliest to advise southern re-
forms which hitherto it has appear
ed to be to their interest to oppose.
And the South must be willing to
abandon courses which only bring
them humiliation and deepen their
prostration.
1t may ..be that this routs will be
to the Democrats what the disaster
of 1852 was to the Wings. AS a par
ty it may cease to exist. The party
that opposed the war for the Union
is a blot upon American politics.
The existence of the party of trea-
son is an offence to loyalty. But
whether it ceases to exist or not the
alliance betweenthe northern Dem
ocrats and a solid South is broken.
The impotence of the Democratic
party has been betrayed ut the
polls. And the South will not con-
tinue to bind itself to its dead and
helpless With the termi-
nation Of this alliance and its hopes
the mantle of a new spirit will fall
upon the South. The Republican
party will exert itself to promote
this new spirit for the good OF the
Union and all the people. And now
that there is a powerful majority at
it's back demanding a whole coun-
try with justice, protection and
liberty to all its people there is lit
tie danger of continued dallying
with the wrongs of the South or
prolonging them by continued CON-
promises.
A sound currency. an honest
government; a free ballot; a protec-
ted citizen; the fostering OF Amer
lean industries anda whole Union.
Such is the meaning Of the election
of1QO0