, 1880-11-20
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. D. D. Nov.


Probably the result yesterday will be
attributed to a thousand different causes,
but among them, all of MS will agree that
three or four tank first in order Of infiu-
ence First, and most important, was op-
position TO a "Solid Sonth" as represent
ing question as 70 the inviolability of
the Union. Beyond doubt this idea that
somebody in the South was led TO over
throw the Government, and would be aid.
ed by Democratic victory, turned the
scale in many States. | do not think,
sensible people in the North gave much
attention to such nonsence until General
Grant began to preach it from the stump.
There are thousands Of people in the
North educated and ignorant-who in
variably think of Grant and no one else
whenever the affairs of the country are
mentioned 1t IS not worth while now
that the election is over to. quarrel with
the superstition.
Next Ill Importance, as an issue, was
the labor question IS affected by the tar
if TIE votes of operatives in mills, work
shops, and factories, turned the scale in
several States An impression was abroad
false, of course, that control by the Demo-
cratic party meant free trade snd reduc
ton of wages Hancock's election meant
no such thing, but, no matter who should
be elected. reduction Of wages was snre
to come. Those thousands who voted for
Garfield to prevent it, and who perhaps
changed the face of the election, will find
during the next year or so that they voted
against the ineviable.
Third in importance among the causes
leading to disaster was the putting OF eA-
Senator Barnum at the head of the CAM
paign He was never fit for leadership.
II was Tiiden, hot Barnum, who achieved
victory in 1876. But aside from the
question as to his fitness, he represented
in the public mind, much that was thought
to be irregular in the previous campaign.
In connection with this subject Of cam
paign management ! wish to Say few
words In the minds Of honest Demo-
cra.s there is an objection always to mere
management" A central authority,
authorized to pass on questions ahDnt
which it can know nothing, IS repuIsivc
The State Committee, or, better still, the
District or County Committees should
hereafter control matters in their own
neighbo-hood. When anything is needed
in the way of speakers or documents
there should be a committee with head
quarters in this city, to supply what is
wanted. The practice Of '.bossins" the
campaign in the thirty eight States, from
any one point, is failure. Ii might
have good results once in hundred
times, but hardly often than that.
At this time-l write On Wednesday
morning-it seems certain that both
Houses Of Congress are to bc returned
to the Republicans This, though an evil
is less evil from the fact that Garfield
will be far bctter President than he has
been a Congressman The Instincts of
the General are AL right As onr If n
body of three hundred men he has never
been able Ia tix properly his own persor'-
al responsibility, and has done those things
which he ought not t., have done. As
President he will, have no doubt, see
his way clear and do his duty in a way
tn astonish his friends and Dcmocrativ
enemies He will re just in all things
The defeated candidate Is probably the
best s.'i,iisr the war Produced on the
Federal SIDE HIS c".,iserva,ive political
i'ieas at one time, and his s.,i,li-Ely honor
at ano;her, kept HIN during the evil WAT
from tie high pr, fermeat witch 9th, rs
yraspd Tor. He has ideas rs clear as
crystal "n the subjects likely t" be i'm
p"rtanf t" the c"nn,ry i..r all time He
is n"t ".,ly an abe soldier, but a man Of
hi::hesI horror. He can saIt four Years.
DEN.