The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-12-23


The significance of yesterdays cleo
ton will be 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 possible for any one to
view current history without something
of the tias 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 become of the Re-
publican majorities swept away in Penn
sylvania. New York and other States?
The voters who contributed to those
majorities in other years are still in the
flesh and all but q margin of them are
still Republicans. 1t will not do to con-
ciude that States lately Republican
have all at once become Democratic.
1t would be EASY for the Democratic
party, by an unwise and injudicicus
course, by q failure to appreciate the
responsibilities now thrown upon 1t. to
cause q reaction and even a revulsion
which would place il further from per-
manent victory than it has been since
1872. But this is supposition of ex-
treme incapacity in the party which has
again been put in control of the popu-
lar branch OF the Legislative Depart
ment of the Government. 1t is
not assuming any great presci-
ence 70 predict that the Republic
an party will now be thoroughly reor-
ganized or abandoned. The ayowed re-
form element will take possession of the
organization or the party will not stop
short of utter dissolution. This much
with re spect to tho grand old party"
is forecast in yesterday sweeping DEM
ocrsticvictory. 1t does not seem possible
that the broken fragments of the Repub-
lican party now seen in the shape of war
ring factions, will be able to compose
its antagonisms, mollify its enmities
and reform, and consolidate strength
enough to resist the triumphant Democ-
racy as it sweeps on to victory in 1884.
The immediate effect upon the Demo
cratic party will be exultant happiness
and perhaps over-confdence, but later
there will be a closer definition of prin-
ciples. especially with reference to the
reformation of the revenue system aud
the future 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 viii have to give place
to frank and consistent avowals of pur-
poses even at the risk of temporary
and partial defeat A party without
distinct aims respecting fundamental
National questions cannot hope to hold
together when it has won power, and
continue for any length OF time to
WELD the Government through Earring
and discordant agents. The nature
and the basis of the reorganization OF
the clashing elements Of the Repub-
lican party will have much to do with
any notifications of the Democratic
position on vital National questions. =
st Louis Republican.