Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1884-11-14
Won at Last.

1ucSuhy VOtc accomplished
great political revolution; it estab-
fishes national change more v6Si
and far-reashing than the consequen.
ces Of many change Of dy nasty OF
bloody revolution in Europe.
1t is vast inestimable gain to ths
people of this country and to the
cause of humanity all over the world.
1t confirms and strengthens Republi-
can institutions 1t vindicates shs
principle that supreme power may
be safely lodged In the hands Of the
people,. 1t shows that no tenure Of
power places the holders of power
beyond reach Of popular reversal.
1t demonstratesthe peaceful acquies-
cenee of fifty millions Of eager peo-
pie in the decision Of the ballot. II
demonstrates their capacity to man
age their own affairs and to conduct
their own elections. 1t prOclaims Its
lesson in clear resounding tones
among all the civilized nations OF the
earth.
Its gain to this country ID
measurless. 1t settles the great is
sue as to whether q change is posi-
bic. 1t removes our dread and ap-
prehension that the people had part
ed with the power they once possess
ed. It gives US the chance TO purge
our government Of abuses and tocor-
rect errors that had resulted from
long continuance Of party control.
The expenses will be reduced, the
tariff will be reformed, the revenues
will be adjusted to our needs, the
departments will be overhauled, the
progress OF legislation toward CEN
trallzation will be arrested and ITS
course turned backward. The frame
work of our system OF government
will be strengthened and its parts
harmonlzed.
All these reforms are easily with
in reach of one reform administrA-
ton. The people have every reason
to trust the men whom their votes
have placed in power, and the good
management of national affairs is
guaranteed for four years.
This of itself would be . great
cause for rejoicing, but this is the
least of the fruits of the victory. It's
gain is that it overthrows the su-
premacy of the party over the peo-
pie, aud establishes instead direct
and Inevitable responsibility of the
party to the people. It guarantees
the future indefinitely by teaching
parties and party leaders and man
ayers and bosses and editors that
parties cannot win regardless Of the
popular will.
1t is an election with a warning.
1t transfers the power to the Democ-
racy with a warning. The balance Of
q thousand votes one way or another
in the close state of New York decid-
ed it. So close vote means that
the victory is personal and not 3
party victory. The people who de-
cided the election trust Cleveland
and Hendricks more freely than they
trust the Fsrty which nominated
Cleveland and Hendricks. If the
Republican convention had risen
above the schemes Of the trading
crew who forced Blaine on the party
and had nominated such . ticket as,
say, Arthur and Lincoln, the Demo-
cratic party which now sits on the
strange and unused vantage ground
Of success would be where 1t was last
year, and where it has been for the
last twenty-four years, . mere
doubtful hope.
It is better for all parties that il is
so. It Is better to keep all public
trustees on probation, better to have
the party in power understand that
its tenure of power depends on its
merits. The Democratic party now
has rare and magnificent Opportu-
nifty. 1t has made many professions
and promises and some attempts. If
its performance redesms its pledges,
its power will be confirmed and the
victory Of Tuesday will be one which
all citizens will gladly lay aside their
political differences to Celebrate
Post Dispatch.