Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-11-15
Wafrl,man Dc Journal.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER Is. 1882.
The Elections.


week in several of the states of this Union.
1t is currently reported that democratic
tidal wave has rolled over the country, and
that republican candidates for state officers
and republican congressman have suffered
disaster in the uprising of the political
waters. The result was not unexpected.
The point around which speculation GEN.
tered was the size of the majorities against
the republican candidates, particularly i'll
New York. Republicans concede with
cheerful lberality that Cleveland is elected
governor of the Empire state by majority
ranging from half a million downwards.
But by whose votes has state which, in
1880, was republican by more than twenty
Thousand plurality, and which, in 1881,
elected republican state officers by large
majorities,- by whose votes has an adverse
majority of phenomenal magnitude been
given in 1882 The republicans of the
state, under the impulse of local fractional
jealousies and animosities, have voted in
large masses for the candidate of their po-
litical opponents. Republicans have won
this victory against themselves. Whatever
may be said of the wisdom of the half
breed " method of reform by pulling down
over the heads of the whole party the fab
ric which they had condemned, it was
idle in an off year to attempt to lead their
political architects to undertake any less
summary way of repairing their state re-
publican ediice. Demolition alone would
satisfy the iconoclastic spirit with which
the party faction had become imbued.
Time will show whether the success of
their method shall prove to be the subject of
permanent congratulations If New York is
lost to the republican states in an election
with party lines rigidly drawn, which we
very seriously doubt, the republicans, main
tanning their .ascendency elsewhere, will
still have a strong assurance of continuance
Of power in their hands by the independent
success in Virginia. If there is a result in
any part of the field which has in it an ele-
ment Of surprise and incongruity, it is the
election of Butler in Massachusetts, man
whose vacillating and demagogical career
has been fifty characterized by both parties,
and by neither with more asperity or greater
severity than by many men who supported
him last week and shouted themselves
hoarse over his election. What happened
tions, to compare small things with great,
seems to have prevailed throughout the
country last week. The freedom of the off
year was enjoyed without restraint. 1t was
agrand political excursion, aud all the aban-
don of a release from party restrictions to
settle off local scores aud manifest displeas-
ure with the doings of individual party
servants was gratified without let or him
drance. The next house of representatives,
it is quite sure, will be democratic. This
result may be fairly set down to the failure
of the present congress to satisfy the very
reasonable expectations of the country, espe-
cially with reference to revenue reform. Had
that body taken up the subject of tariff revi-
sion and by direct efforts endeavored to adapt
the revenues to the present needs and condi-
tion of the country, and had it still further
needed public sentiment by placing a heavy
foot determinedly and persistently upon the
river and harbor bill, the republican party
could have gone before the people with
some just claim to support-a claim which
would hardly have needed the pestiferous
aid of Hubbells assessments-to have won
acknowledgement. In times past republi-
cans have learned much in the dear school
of experience, and they are bright enough
to profit much from last weeks instruction.
RIM A Nh HERAIn % Cnlnnal Hnnkar of