Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-20
A YEAR or DISCIPLINE.


can party is certainly not the most cncour-
aging that could be imagined. Democratic
successes and Republican reverses seem to he
the order of the day. This, however, is not
universally the case. Our party won hand
some victory in Maine; in West Virginia it
made large gains; in Vermont it carried the
day by majority unprecedented in an ''off-
year. But in Maine the party was united
ard there were no side issues and besides
that, the Republicans of Maine had their
discipline and trial a little earlier, and had
learned wisdom from the atfiiction of the
Greenback- Democratic Fusion, and didn't
wish for any more of that sort. In West
Virginia, there are no Republican bosses and
fair play was the rule and in Vermont, the
divisions and discussions which distract
the party elsewhere are fortunately
unknown. In Delaware and Oregon,
too, under like conditions, the Re.
publcans did splcnddly. But in 9TH
or ard comparatively more important
quarters rcverses have come, and the Rcpub-
lican patty is taking its excursion down the
valley of humiliation. In Ohio our party is
disastrously beaten; in New York, and
probably in Pennsylvania similar expert
encc is awaiting the Republicans in Novcm-
Der, and it 10 not outside of the possibilities
that Ben Butler may capture the Governor
shin of Massachusetts This sort of thing is
by no means agreeable; but yet genuine Re-
publicans can recognize the salutary effect of
much-nccdcd Discipline and acknowledge the
incidental benefits that go with party disas-
ter. And there is need in the party of the
Christening which it is undergoing. In this
peniten,ial season it may as well be admitted
the facts, indeed, are patent-that evils
and abuses have grown up IN the party, in
some quarters, which deserve a correction, OF
which the only practical form of administra-
ton is in the shape of sharp defeat. I'M
wise experiments and ipjudicous perform
ances have been attempted by Republicans,
the folly of which they could only be made
to perceive and appreciate, by suffering the
consequences of the blundcrs. In Ohio the
In legislation last year, which have yielded a
crop of defeats. In New York and Penn
sylvania, arrogant and dlc,atorial party lead
crs have made bossism so offensive that
it has provoked open rebellion in the
party ranks. The party strength has
been divided and many of its best members
absolutely forced into the opposition for the
time being. But the disasters which have
followed, or will follow, and which are the
legislative outcome of the mistakes, viii
result in reformation, in IA party
cleansing, and be followed by a healthy re-
and the recovery of the pary's
pristine strength. 1t is no pleasant thing to
contemplate a Democratic majority in the
House Of Representatives contingency
which seems more than probable; but yet
experience has shown that the Republic can
stand even that shock, and, moreover, that
the Democrats are never 50 weak as when in
power. AS has been well said, the Demo-
Gratis win victories not because they are
Democrats or because the people are ready
Tor Democratic rule In the Natlon Dut De-
cause they are the only available weapons
with which to strike at the pcn who make
Republicanism weak. And the result
will be but repetition of former political
history. We have had more than one ex-
pcrience similar to those of the party at the
present time ; in 1869, and again in 1867, in
1874 and 1873, we had Republican reverses,
all of which were succeeded by healthier
and better party management, and by signal
victories in the years succeeding. 1t will be
so again. If we lose New York and Penn
sylvsnia as we have lost Ohio, it will lead to
wiser party conduct, and open the way for a
healthful and vigorous rallyng of the Re-
publicans for the contest of 1884.