The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-11-23
The Significance Of the Victory.

The significance of yesterdays cleo
ton will te variously interpreted, opin-
ion depending mainly upon the school
to which the OBSERVER belongs and his
interest in the events to be influenced
by it. 1t is not posi- lie for any one TO
view current history without something
of the las of selfish interest and pride of
opinion. 1t Is also certain that no one
knows what the influence of SO sweep
ing change may be. because its full
effects are contingent upon the uncer-
tain actions of men in the future into
whose motive so many conflicting factors
enter. A great battle which might be
decisive of the fate of armies and the
power of nations often proves, from the
course of subsequent events, of little
consequence and OF no real value to the
victors. What has ecome of the Re-
publican ma critics swept away in Penn
sylvania, New York and other States?
The voters who contri u ed to those
inaior,ties in other years are still In the
flesh and all but margin of them are
still Republicans. 1t will not do to con-
clhde that States lately Republican
have all at once become Democratic.
1t would be easy for the Democratic
party. by an unwise and injudicious
course, by a failure to appreciate the
responsibilities now thrown upon it, to
cause a reaction and even revulsion
whi h would place it further from per-
manent victory than it has been since
1872. Iut this is o supposition of ex-
treme incapac.ty in the party which has
again been put in control of the popu-
lar branch o the Legislative Depart
ment of the Government. 1t is
not assuming any great presci-
ence To predict that the Republ. c.
an party W Ii now lie thoroughly reor-
ganiZed or abandoned The avowed re-
form element will take possession OF the
org nization or the party will not stop
short of utter $50 ut on. Tbs much
with re pect to the grand old party !"
is forecast in yesterday sweeping I en-
ocraticvi tory. 1t does not sem po 'sible
that the broken fragments of the Repub-
lican pa t., now seen in the shape of war
ring ia .tions, will be able to compose
its. antagonsmS, mo,lify its enmit es
and refo nj, and consolidate strength
enough to resist the triumphant Democ-
| racy as it sweeps on to victory in 1884.
! The immed ate effect upon the Demo
cratic party will be exultant happiness
and perhaps er- confidence, but later
there will be closer definition of prin-
ciples, especia' ly with reference to the
re formation OF the revenue system and
the uture financial policy of the coun-
try. Conscious strength will beget in
dependence of merely local and neces-
sarily irreconcilable interests. Incon-
gruities which have been tolerated in
the leadership and in the declarations
of party beliefs will have to give place
to frank and consistent avowals of pun
poses even at the risk OF temporary
and partial defeat. A party without
distin t aims respecting fundamental
National questions cannot hope 10 hold
together when it has won power, an6
continue for any len tn of time tc
VIE d the Government through jarrins
and discordant agents. The nature
and the basis o. the reorganization O
the clashing elements of the Repub
lican party will have much to do will
any notifications of the Democrat,
position on vital National questions.
81. Louis Republican.
To many Americans the magi,
word imported coming from sales
mans mouth is sufficient to cause then
to choose the foreign article in prefer
ence to an American article OF equa
merit which could be obtained for two
thirds the price. -Phiiadci7,tja CONNER
ciai Bulletin.