The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-04-07
Ths Democratic adpotats,
SATURDAY, APRIL Z, 1883.
Spring Elections.

The high tide OF Democratic success last
fall has not receded, but on the contrary
the municipal and state elections this win
ter and spring show decided increase.
The uprising of the people last fall against
Republican principles and practices was
not spasmodic effort. 1t was the result
of deep indignation at the reckless manner
in which the Republican party was squan-
dering and appropriating the public money;
its indifference to public opinion, and its
disregard of former rebukes administered
to it. The people have been restless for
years under the determinations imposed by
the party in power They have seen mil
lions wrested from them in the way of di-
rect and indirect taxation, for which the
government had no use, and which became
the prey of jobbers. They have seen this,
and more, and they have come to realize
something of the ill-efeets Of the legisla-
ton which was for the elevation of the col
ored man and the degradation OF the whites
Promises have been made to the country
before elections, only to be forgotten after
new lease of power was voted them.
Seeing promise after promise broken, and
affairs going from bad to worse every year,
last fall the people arose in their might and
overthrow the Republican party everywhere
elections were held. States that had been
uniformly Republican for twenty years and
more. went Democratic. Massachusetts,
Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Kansas, California, all gave a rebuke
to Republican misgovernment. The Re
publican leaders were astounded, but con-
soled themselves that it was an ''Oh-year,
and argued themselves into the belief that 1t
was only temporary uprising of the peo-
pie. In February number of municipal
elections gave evidence that the people were
still in earnest, and the elections held in
the North and West this week gave still
further evidence Of determination, deep
seated. to continue the work of reformation
until there is complete overthrow of Re
.publicanism everywhere.
On Tuesday the Democrats carried Mich
igan by majorities ranging from four to
ten thousand, electing their candidates Tor
Supreme Judges and University Regents.
The ticket was union one, nominated by
Democrats and Greenbackers, but it showed
an opposition majority to Republican rule
of many thousands.
On the same day municipal elections
were held in Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Ar
kansas, Nebraska, and other states, and four
fifths of all were carried by the Democrats
or by Citizens tickets The Democrats
swept Cincinnati, Toledo and Dayton, in
Ohio; Chicago, in Illinois, by over ten
thousand majority; Detroit, in Michigan;
St. Louis, in Missouri; Little Rock, in Ar
kansas; Schenectady, in New York, and
most all the large towns and cities where
elections were held. City and town cleo
tions are local affairs, but there were square
contests this year between Republican and
Democratic rule in very many OF them, and
the result shows that there is determine
ton to get rid of Republican rule every
where. Every city and every large town
taken from its grasp lessons its power
to greater or less degree, and weakens 1t
for county, state and national contests.
The Democratic vote last Tuesday was
greater in proportion to the number of bal
lots cast than it was last fall, and it would
not at all be surprising if the entire great
West should be found solid for the Demo-
cratic presidential ticket in 1884.
Rhode Island, that steadfast Republican
state for many years, voted for Governor
and other state officers on Wednesday.
Ex-Governor Sprague was the candidate of
the Republican opposition, and though he
was not successful, the Republican party
was badly frightened and came out OF the
contest with majority greatly reduced
from that uniformly given since 1860.
The preliminary contests to the great
political battle of next year so far indicate
a sweeping Democratic triumph. Every
defeat tends to weaken the Republican
party, and this fall the Democrats must
fight hard for every district, county, city
and state. The people are in sympathy
with Democratic principles, and it only
remains for the Democratic party to come
up to the polls as unit to secure victory.
The contests this fall will have great bear
inc on the elections Of 1884, and every
Democrat must do his duty. There is
victory i'm the air