Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-11-11
Tueaday'a Elections.

By all odds the most notable and signih-
cant feature in the result of the several state
elections held on Tuesday is the Bourbon de-
feat in Virginia. The election of Cameron,
the gubernatorial candidate of the Republi-
can and Readjuster alliance, by majority of
IL, OOO to 5000, and the choice of a legisla-
ture which is ant-Bourbon by decisive ma
iority, means the election to the United States
senate of a man to succeed the present Sena-
tor johnson who believes in equal electoral
rights for whites aud blacks alike, in educa-
ton for all classes, and in the free expression
of political opinions But, still more than
this, it means the strengthening and encour-
agement of independent men in all parts of
the South. Already the Bourbon leaders are
seized with fear, and are saying among them
selves, Virginia has gone, and North Caro-
lima, Tennessee and Arkansas will follow if we
are not careful" These men know only too
well, and privately admit that there are in
several southern states thousands of men,
nominally Democrats, who are only kept in
the party traces because they lack fearless and
aggressive leadership; and they know from
the logic of events that this anti Bourbon vic
tory in Virginia will give this independent ell
ement the confidence and courage which it has
heretofore lacked. We know very well that
it is the habit of our local Democracy, as well
as of that party elsewhere in the north, to cry
out against the Virginia Readjusters, 'be.
cause" they say, 1--WE believe in paying ouI
honest debts" Let Republicans note, hox y
ever, that the Virginia Bourbons have never
| given any evidence of their wish or determi
nation to see the state debt paid in full The
debt question has been football for all par.
ties in that state, and the only difference be-
tween them is that the Readiusters are honest
enough to say how much of the debt they mean
to pay. The real point at issue is one of equa
rights for the negro, education for all, free
speech, and an honest vote honestly counted
and on this issue the Republicans and Read
justers have won.
In New York the natural result of the Conk
ling and anti Conkling fight is seen in a re-
duced Republican majority on the state ticke
and the election of a legislature which is Dem
ocratic by small majority on joint ballot II
this result, however, there is no indication Of
a reaction against Republican principles, and
the triumph of that party when vital issues
are at stake. The brilliant and notable Re
publican victory in the city of Brooklyn is al
ample Offset to many unsatisfactory features
in the result in other parts of the state.
In all the states the result of political indif
ference in an off year, and of local factiona
contests, is seen. In Wisconsin, where las
years Republican majority of 1000 is re
duced to plurality of some 6OOO, the result
is due to sudden development of the pro
hibitory vote. When another presidential
election comes around, the state will undoubt
eddy have settled down to its normal condition
of solid Republieanism. The 10000 vote
given in Pennsylvania to Wolfe the Indepen
dent Republican candidate, ought to be
timely and sufficient warning to the Republi
can party of that state not to quietly submit
hereafter to the manipulation and dictation o
the Cameron one-man power. One feature o
the days work which may well set the Dem
oerats a-thinking is the very decided gain
made by the Republicans in southern Mary
land.
There is ample opportunity for both partie
to learn needed lessons from the result o
Tuesdays elections, but on no legitimat
ground can the conclusion be reached that tn
vitality of the Republican party is on the wane
or that the people have grown distrustful O
its general leadership or its management o
public affairs.