The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-10
LOOKING AHEAD.
Some Wise Political Suggestions Forcibly
Expressed, and Supported by Facts and
Figures.

Some Wise Political Suggestions Forcibly
Expressed, and Supported by Facts and
Figures.
If the Democratic party is to con-
tinue in power, it is of the first import
ance that the House of Representatives,
t. be elected next fall, should have q
Democratic majority. That election
viii be regarded as a test of party
strength. midway in the Administra-
ton, and IS an expression of the pop
ular will regarding the Presidency.
Harmony IN the counsels and in the
action of the party during the coming
session of Congress, both on the part of
the Administration and of the present
House, is absolutely necessary. If
there are elements of discord between
Congress and the Executive as to any
question of public policy, the duty of
both is to seek common ground of
understanding before issue is Joined,
and if possible to remove the cause of
disagreement.
The recent election in New York has
seriously alarmed the Republicans and
correspondingly encouraged the Demo-
Gratis. 1t will probably cause the for
mer to reconstruct their line of battle
for 1888, and to drop all the candidates
who have made themselves conspicuous
as advocates or agitators of the old
sectional policy. The bloody banner
of strife between North and South can
no longer be waved with profit.
Prosperity will have revived, and
commercial intercourse with the South
ern States, which are every day devel-
oping their hitherto untapped resources
and growing rich upon new industries,
will dissipate any lingering prejudices
as to the true sentiments and purposes
of that section of the Union.
In this situation the Republican lead
ers will direct their efforts to Congress
to make every possible breach between
the administration and the majority in
the House. They will profess great re-
gard for the Presidents courage in any
acts likely to lead to divergence from
his own friends. They will praise his
Intentions, and then vote against NOM
Nations that may vex them personally
o. locally.
These devices have been practiced
heretofore, and they ought not to de-
ceiye Democrats who have passed
through similar experience, or who are
familiar with political history. John
Tyler was captured and carried away
by false professions. Willard Fillmore
was misled by the seduction of faction.
Andrew johnson was conquered by
the decisions of ambition These mem
orable examples are full of instruction
and of admonition. 1t is not supposed
that President Cleveland requires either
for the guidance of his conduct. But
this may be cited for the benefit of pol
iticians who are spreading their nets to
entrap him.
The next House of Representatives
will not only be important in the sense
already described, but if a new element
should enter the Presidential contest in
1888, as is now proposed, by giving
larger consequence to the Prohibition
party, and an election by the people
should fail, that House would deter
mine the result by majority of States.
In 1880 Garfield carried nineteen
States and Hancock nineteen, though
the former had majority of fifty-nine
in the Electoral College. On the pop
ular vote his majority was 9,464 over
Hancock, in an aggregate of 1899, 1868.
In 1884 Cleveland carried twenty
States and Blaine eighteen, though the
former had a majority of thirty-seven in
the Electoral College. On the popular
vote Cleveland's majority was 81, 1858 in
an aggregate of 9,759.351 cast for the
two candidates.
These figures and facts are not to be
sighted. They show very plainly that
neither side can afford to indulge in
internal dissensions, and that he is an
enemy to the success of the Democracy
who in any way inciteS discord in its
ranks-N Y Sam