Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-07-07

seized upon to effect this change, and while
those States on the quadrennlal recur-
renee Of Presidential elections have voted
their usual party tickets, these temporary
issues, sometimes in fact questions not
rising to the dignity of an issue. have been
seized upon with which to unhorse the
Bourbons Of both Republicanism and Dem
ocracy. In Maine where this restlessness
frst resulted in victory for the discomfort
ed, the Greenback cause was handled as
weapon by the disafected and after a lit
tie campaigning enough Greenback-Re-
publicans were segregated from their party
to make common cause with the Demo-
Gratis and carry the State so far out OF
reach of Boss Blaine that he hasn't yet
regained control of it. Besides the State
officers the opposition gained q few con-
gressmen. At tho Presidential election
however, Maine fell back into the Repub-
lican line. Next, Virginia became a field
for the trial of the experiment of JUNIORS
ing the. old riders. Here REIMBURSEMENT
was made the issue. 1t resulted in carry
ing the State by a coalition of the Read
justment wing of the Democratic party
and the Republicans, and the election OF a
couple of representatives of the new move
ment to congress. At the Presidential
election Virginia again fell back into the
Democratic line. Maine, escaping from
the hands of a boss fell into the hands of
party; Virginia escaping from the control
of party fell into the hands of boss
but in both cases change, which was tho
main point sought for, was gained. Penn
sylvania g turn ca me next. There the per-
scnal rule of Cam eron has lasted so long
as to worry the people out and for two
years revolt in his own party has been
organized and growing, until at last it has
gained strength enough to make the COM.
ing November election pregnant with the
life or death of that party. The detection
In the Republican party there is now as
bold as it is strong and as strong as it is
bold; and it is matter of great doubt.
even with the active and profuse help of
President Arthur, whether Cameron's life
is not ended. In that State no pretense of
political issue was needed to divide up
on, the revolution being simply against
one man rule which had become as tyran-
meal as it was corrupt. In New York it is
buta short time since Mr.. Conkling hav
ing in moment of insane self-conceit re-
signed his position in the Senate the NAL
contents in his own party rose on him and
binding him hand and foot cast him into
the torments of private life.
The incidents we have given, have for
the most part been the result, direct or
indirect, of large majorities. It does not
acumen to know that Overwhelming
majorities" are but the forerunners of a
redistribution of party trusts. Large major
tiles make leaders overbearing life tenants,
but at the same time make voters indie
pendent. Large majoritles are favorable
to independent candidacy, from the very
fact that they make leaders reckless of
small OBJECTIONS. The forty thousand
Democratic majority in Virginia did as
much to bring about the disasters of the
Democratic party as the follies of its lead
ers, which in truth were to great extent
RO00ODolOA
With narrower margin to 90 on the af
fairs of The party in Virginia would have
been managed in a way far more polite
than has been exhibited. Gen. Mahone's
supposed safe majority in the legislature
led him into follies of legislation which
have resulted in giving the Democracy an
even fighting chance for the State mex
November, something the most hopeful
Democrat would hardly have been bold
enough to predict about the middle of the
session.
By these examples throughout the coun-
try, and in their own State, we feel On
coaraged to believe the Virginia Democra-
cy will profit. Its opportunity next No
VEN Der, any informed and calculating man
familiar with politics will inform it, is en-
tirely gratuitous and unexpected. That
after having been completely in the tolls
of Gen. Malone. its sudden deliverance
should have been wrought by the frustra
tion of his schemes from an unexpected
quarter, was something that no man could
foresee and was not due to its own efforts.
That it should be on it's feet with an ex-
cellent chance to carry nine out of the
ten Congressman to 60 from Virginia, was
one Of the surprises in politics that no
party has right to expect in the run of
political affairs. Let the party then, now
that this good fortune has come, use it
wisely. Let a liberal policy be the first
growth from the unexpected shower-lib-
erality to all who are Democrats, iberali-
ty in parting with traditional ideas, liber-
atty in bringing to the front its young
and new material, liberality in forgetting
the past absolutely and totally, and start
ing afresh, no longer handicapped with
questions which have been settled, nor
leaders who have staked and lost their pol
itical existence on those cushions.
A ftor tho pantinu of tta tvro RAa iustor