New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-09
1A-l-1AS0.

what happened on tuesday Is only WHdl
took place on Il somewhat smaller scale III some
respects and larger in Others in the oil yeaI
1874. Republicans and DemOcr is alike were
inst as much surprised at the result then as
now. Mr. Tlden came in as Governor OF New
York by majority then almost unprecedented,
though the Overwhelming figures OF Iuesday
election have now left it in the shade. The
same causes of dissatisfaction operated then us
now and precisely the same cluster OF political
managers set them in motion. 1t was the fall-
ure of the Republicans that year to pronounce
definitely and positively against the third term
aspirations Of General Grant, joined with
widespread dissatisfaction with the methods,
the policy and the personnel OF the Grant Adj
ministration. that lifted Mr. Tllden into the
Goyernorshlp and the Democratic party into
mower. Mr. Grover Cleveland owes his election
TO the same influences that were SO potent IN
Tlden behalf; and they are entirely outside
of his own party. The very sensible view OF
the political situation which he takes III an III
teryi.w since the election indicates that he
himself is aware CT this important tact, and
that his head is not altogether turned by his
phenomenal success. Mr.. Tiden in 1874, with
the reputation rs a refOrner which he had
gained in the Ring prosecutions, served his
marty as IA decOy III retaining the support Ot the
Liberals of 1872 and Turing over thousands OF
Republicans who dlsapprOyed OF Granrsm and
the tbird term. Mr.. Cleveland has served his
patty the same good turn. He has made with
his somewhat scanty record as IA Reform Mayor
Of Buffalo an excellent decoy. 1t Is to his
credit and possibly may inuro to his profit
that he recognizes the fact.
Indeed. it is the most remarkable feature Of
this remarkable election that the Demo Gratis
themselves pretty generally show correct APP
ureclation Of the situation and do not under
take TO claim that their own merits as a party
have brought about the result They admit
with grace quite new and unusua with them
that they owe their victory to the Obstlnacy
and folly of SC called Republican leaders, and
the determination on the part or the better
norton OF the party to rebuke the managers.
I'm this regard the situation differs decidedly
from that of 1874. The temporary successes
of that year exhiarated them to such degree
that they passed over the peculiar cHcum-
stances which had favored them, ignored the
conditions under which they had won their
victories and assuming at once that they had
been fully restored to public confidence began
uniting on the airs of permanent pOssessOrs o.
mower. They made their fatal mis- axe in too
.orly and too confidently dlscOunting their
future prospects. Their heels were i'll the air
their heads upset by their unusual and i'll part
ure1pected luck. 1t took them very little
time TO reveal themselves to the country, AMI
with that revelation make an end of their
chances of continuing in power.
With thls years sweeping victories they are
.nnarently not so utterly carried away. There
il an obvious effort among them at sellre-
straint and the observance Of something like
decorum. 1t seems to have been beaten into
their heads at last that their party is not an
object of public favor that their only hope is
IN the mistakes OF their opponents; and that
they are always i'll the greatest danger OF ship
wreck when winds seem fair and seas smooth
and their ship scudding along before the breezes
of popular favor. Yesterday and to-day their
newspaper organs almost with one accord stop
TO put up warning hands ana say, Go slow"
II remains to be seen whether they can !" go
slow" They have something more To do than
simply be self-contaned and prudent and keep
within the bounds of reason and moderation in
their enjoyment OF unexpected good fortune.
Success saddles them with responsibilities and
duties for which they have to show their fit
ness. They cannot hold their places on the
simple grounds Oh which they won them
popular dissatisfaction with their opponents.
They must do something themselves. They
must have a definite policy of their own and
must be united upon it. They have been over.