Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-11-12
Causes of the Democratic Defeat.

Now that the great political contest has
been decided, and the Democratic party has
again failed to obtain control of the govern
ment, it is natural, and may also prove in
structiyc, TO turn back and inquire the cause
or causes which led to this result. Tho Dem
ocrats themselves assign various reasons for
their defeat. One Of these-that regarding
the personal weakness of their candidates.
undoubtedly has n large basis of fact 1t is
uud,uiRblo that General Hancock, though
possessed Of fine military record and admir-
ablo personal qualities, has proved weak
candidate. Instead Of adding strength to the
party which put him in nomination, he has
been an injury to Il. The small fraction of
the northern sold r vote which was attracted
Though ties of sollierly fraternity, was far
more than counterbaanced by he number of
those who deserted his standard because they
could not fail TO see his shortcomings in the
qualities and experiences neodful for one
called to fiji the high office Of Presi-
dent of the United States So long as
he remained reticout or was only allowed to
speak through tho lips of his managers, his
candidacy gave promise of victory but as
soon rs he was permitted TO express indie
pondorty, by formal letters, or through the
mcdiumship of int,Togating reporters, his
views on the great questions of the day, he
began TO lose ground and though some of
his ideas were good and laudable, his many
blunders brought upon him the ridcule of
his opponents, and the final result was disap-
pointing and disastrous. English, too sat
IL. l.. Al.
cratic animal since lie lacked every element
of popularity. On the other hand the wis
dom of the Republican nominations continu-
ally grew upon the people. The slight disap-
poirtment at first felt by the Republicans
themselves gave place TO feeling of satisfac-
ton as the merits of their candidates became
better understood and satisfaction ere long
was succeeded by enthusiasm. Every utter
ance and act of General Garfield since his
nomination, as we'll as every fact in his past
life disclosed by biographers and lifelong as
sociates, indicate man after the popular
heart-a large-souled, brave, intellectual,
honest, genial, warm-hearted man, rich in
natural endowments and rich in experience.
His nomination, with that of General Arthur
"A man of exceptional power and wide ac-
quainance with politics-not only brought
all the party elements and interests into
hearty cooperation, but gained it the sup
port Of that important class of voters who,
bound by no party ties, are always ready to
side with the party which best deserves to
win.
But the principal cause of the Democratic
defeat was not the difference in the candi-
dates. Under any other standard bearers
which the Democrats could have put in NOM
nation, the result would have been essential
ly the same. The chief obstacle though the
Democratic newspapers all overlook the fact
the chief obstacle which stood in the way
of Democratic success was the Democratic
party itself. The truth is, the mass of hon
est, patriotic people distrusted and feared it,
They could see nothing in its recent history
to indicate that its leaders had learned wis
dom or acquired purity from defeat Having
re-obtained the supremacy in both houses of
Congress, that party has failed to improve its
opportunities for good, but has pursued a re-
dictionary, mischievous, vacillating policy in
all matters of national concern, and done all
the injury to the country that it was capable
of and no wonder, therefore that the people
have again turned upon it and driven it into
retirement. The wheels of progress in this
country are not destined to move backward !;
and SO long as the Republican party remains
true to its better self so long as it embodies
alike the genuine progressive and conserva-
tive clements of the nation, its virtue, its in
| telligence, its wealth and its wisdom, and so
long as the Democratic party assumes no
higher purpose than to rally the lower ele-
ments in opposition to these for the sake of
the spoils of office and the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of
| its leaders, so long will the series of Demo-
| cratic defeats continue