The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-11-26

Golden Gate OF the Pacific, beginning with
Ohio and ending with California, the repub-
lican banner was borne so loftily that but q
single state failed to join in the wide ac-
claim of triumph. Nor should do justice
to my own feelings il failed to thank the
republicans of the Empire State who en-
countered so many discouragements and
obstacles, who fought against foes from
within and foes from without and who
waged so strong battle that a change of
one vote in every two thousand would have
given us the victory in the nation. Indeed
change of little more than five thousand
votes would have transferred New York,
Indiana, New Jersey and Connecticut to the
republican standard and have made the
north as solid as the south. My thanks
would still be incomplete IL / should fail to
recognize with special gratitude that great
body OF workingmen, both native and for
eign-born, who gave me their earnest sup
port, breaking from old personal and party
ties and finding in principles such as rep
resented in the canvass the safeguard to
protection of their own Preside interests"
He regarded 1" the transfer of the po-
litical power of the government to the
south as great national misfortune, a
misfortune because it introduces an
element which cannot insure harmony
and prosperity to the people because it
introduces into a republic the rule of
minority" The greater portion of
his speech was devoted to the course
and condition of affairs in the south.
His political opponents would call it
"bloody shirt " speech. 1t was plain
that to the usurpation of political power
in the south by 4" the chiefs of the re-
bellion," Mr.. Blaine primarily ascribes
the republican defeat. In conclusion
he said:
"The contest Just closed utterly dwarfs
the fortunes and fate of candidates, whether
successful or unsuccessful. Purposely, l
| may say instinctively, have discussed the
issues and consequences of that contest
without reference to my own defeat, with
| out the remotest reference to the gentleman
who is elevated to the presidency. Towards
him personally 1 have no cause for the
slightest ill-will, and it is with cordially l
express the wish that his official career may
prove gratifying to himself and beneficial
to the country, and that his administration
may overcome the embarrassments which
the peculiar source of its power imposes
upon it from the hour of its birth"
On the other side, all over the coun-
try, the democrats, very hungry and
very thirsty" after twenty-four years
of political fasting, are celebrating
their victory and engaging in a general
thanksgiving, which is so far spirit
ual, but which will survive till March
on anticipations of more substantial
and savory material fruits. Very nat
| ,,ro1lx- 4hn anrliact 1icn,,ooinr of
probable course of the new administra-
ton relates to the offices and to the fate
of civil-service reform under democratic
rule. President-elect Cleveland is re-
ported as making some assuring declar-
ations on this score. He favored and
has faithfully administered similar
law in New York, and those who are
politically very near him express their
belief that as president he will act upon
the same principles which he professed
and adhered to as governor. BY his
partisan political opponents the proph-
ecy is made-it is hoped the wish is not
the father of the prophecy--that the
civil-service act will be overridden, if it
is not repealed, and clean sweep of re-
publican office-holders made. In a re-
cent speech Senator Bayard, fair
exponent of the best element of the
party, said:
"The Independent republicans who sup
ported Mr.. Cleveland look upon him as their
how Il 1.ta Ill oil TOD
and they expect great things of him. l am
inclined to believe that the administration
| of President Cleveland will be so business
like and so wholesome in its results as not
only to hold the support of the Independent
| voters who gave it being, but to command
the approval of many others who, on strict
party grounds, would perhaps not be in
| clined to support him. 1t is true that in
order to impart this character to his admin
istration Mr.. Cleveland will doubtless be
compelled to give offence to certain ele-
ment within his own party, but this he can
afford to sacrifice in view of the preponder-
ance of public sentiment in sympathy with
him. There will not be new party, in my
opinion, but there will be strong tendency
among Independent voters to sustain the
democrats so long as they do their full duty.
When they cease to do this their opponents,
doubtless, will be again placed in power"
Dorman B. Eaton, the chairman of
the civil-service commission, has like
confidence in Mr.. Cleveland's LOYALTY
to the principles and precepts of the
law regulating the civil-service. Had
Mr. Blaine been elected, many changes
would unquestionably have been made
and it is barely possible that the num-
Der will not be greater under Presi-
dent Cleveland. The independents,
in order that there may be no mistake
or misunderstanding as to their posi-
ton after election, declare through their
leading newspapers that they will not
impeach the purity of their motives by
accepting Office under the new admin
istration. They express the hope that
the new cabinet will contain what is
best in the democratic party, and moth
ing else" In their opinion, the cab
met " should be specimen of what
the democratic party can do when put
to its trumps." 1t is fair to presume
that any mistakes the democrats may