Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-03-23
THE CRUMBLING OF THE
WRECK.

AAOcO ouppOltOi6 VI tuO 0lUuul p0A
in Virginia who have been laying the fiat
tering JUNCTION to their souls that the No
vember tidal wave had spent its force in
wiping out Republican Congress and
turning Republican States topsy turyey,
Will find their mistake by observing the
further signs of decay in the Republican
party which are recorded at almost every
election that occurs. The local elections
in New York State a few days ago present
food for reflection. In Utica the Demo-
cratic candidate for Mayor was elected
by an increased majority. and the Oneida
board of supervisors which was Republi-
can by two majority became Democratic
by fifteen majority. In Rochester the
Democrats elected a Mayor. In Colum-
bia county an evenly divided Board of Su-
pervisors was changed to fourteen Demo-
Gratis and seven Republlcans-and many
similar changes which show the process
of disintegration in the rotten old hulk of
Stalwart-Arthurism to have been going
on ever since the old wreck was beached
by the November gale. ....-
But the most marked indication of the
PROSTATE condition of the Arthur party
in the Union is the boldness with which
the political wreckers swarm over the
wreck, and in Rhode Island the candidacy
of ex-G0v. Sprague is one of these raids.
Twelve months ago it would have excl
ted derision only, but now the Republican
journals of that little State are discussing
it with timidity verging on panic. the
old Bourbon laws of their party give any
opposition good ground to make a fight
on. 1t can hardly be believed in this free
country, but nevertheless it is true, that
in Rhode Island man Of foreign birth
cannot vote unless he owns certain
amount of real estate and possesses GER
tain educational qualifications, and yet the
q. S. Senators from that little borough
are loud in talking about the restriction
of suffrage in Democratic States. In ad-
dition to this, Rhode Island exhibits
another symptom of Bourbenism, it is
always carried in the pocket of one Inan
or one family, something after the style
of "Mahone, Va.," and that one man goes
to Washington merely to support the ad-
ministration' '-another likeness to the
new Virginia system. The leader Of the
rebellion against the Republican dynasty
is well calculated to deserve success even
if he may not win it. Elk Gov. Sprague
has exhibited many traits that win the
popular heart, courage in war, and, higher
still. courage in fighting with overwhel-
ming adversely after the war. His nomi
nation by the independents has been great
ly strengthened by his friends carrying
the Democratic primaries in Providence
and other towns, these primaries voting
to accept the Independent candidate. The
aid he is likely to receive from Coy. But
Ter of Massachusetts,, and from the greai
body of dissatisfied Half Breed Republi-
cans makes his prospects for success far
from desperate.
But whether he win or lose, the fact
remains that the weak and weakening con-
dition of the Republican party serves as a
standing invitation to its former friends t"
join its foes In giving it the final strok"-
Since writing the above we see that th'
Democratic State Convention of Rhode
Island has adopted Gov. Sprague as its
candidate with unexpected unanimity and
the most active campaign is IN progress.