Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-11-20
A KOntuckian's Reflections.
THE ELECTION.

IlfE ElsECIlDN.
Tuesdays elections we're quite sur
prise 10 Democrats. BY the best esti-
mates the next House will contain 166
Democrats, 1853 Republicans and 5 la
bor men. Gains were made where least
expected and 'the losses were equally
surprising. Many are the explanations
offered and among others the absurd
conjecture is thrown out that it is all
rebux xe TO the Administration Moth
ing could be wider Of the mark. Had
the high-toned conservatism, honesty
and industry OF President Cleveland
been shared 10y the party at large, VIC
tory would now crown us where defeat
humiliates. j. will be observed that it
is quite the custom for the party in
power TO suffer in "of'' years from
general apathy and false idea OF Sc
curity. Thus the slight reverse of
Tuesday will act as a stimulan. to pre-
pare us for a sweeping victory in 1888.
One astonishing fact is the severe
blow dealt TO prominent tariff refor-
mes. Morrison and Hurd go down be-
fore the enemy and the great Carlisle
is only saved by a humiliating majority.
II will afford the Republican press su-
preme satisfaction TO spout over the de-
cadence of the low tariff policy. But
let no one be deceived. Shrewd poll
ticians backed by the money of schem-
ing capitalists flooded the districts oil
these representative men with doodle
knowing that il they could not defeat
ahn,,n tl.nxy an.,II AZ Iaack xtya..ivo., he
policy OF tariff reform by decreasing
their majorities.
Another fact of importance is the ap-
pearance OF the Labor" candidates.
George, in the race for Mayor of New
York, polleda heavy vote. George A.
Thobe, wood engraver OF Covington,
almost defeated Carlisle, and five Labor
men will take seats in the next House.
What does it mean? Surely not the
formation of another party. 1t is the
result Of misconception OF the pur-
poses OF political parties. Democrats
and Republicans alike are not free from
the fault of obscuring the true aims OF
government and the legitimate doc
trines of each of the leading parties.
They both pledge all sorts OF milleniums
to the hborer, they each exalt their
ability to flush the country with pros
perity, they create an expectation for
something government can never give,
and the laboring men have got tired
waiting for the flow OF milk and honey
and have determined to take a hand in
game themselves. They WILSON learn
that the trouble between employer and
employe can not be adjusted IN Con-
gress, that the fight between capital and
labor is social rather than political
! problem, and with this new acquired
wisdom they will return to their breth-
rem with the truth in their mouths and
the labor party will collapse.
The Democratic party in Kentucky
| is very much in the attitude Of the
Prodigal Son. 1t has gone off feasting
on lazlness, or else it has been engaged
in that most interesting OF occupation,
a family row. 1t is to be hoped that
after the sound spanking we have re-
ceived in several quarters we will arise
and creep back into the mansion and
prepare ourselves for the feast Of the
iatted calf in 1888. We could have
saved the Third by little toning down
lof personal ambitions; we could have
saved the Ninth by putting ont the man
for the occasion; we could have done
better in the Fifth with a little less Sc
verify; we could have improved might
| ly in the Sixth and Tenth by more
watchfulness, aud in the Eleventh we
should have had old Time by the fore
lock long ago. Results can not be
changed. We must reconcile ourselves
by renewed determinations, and let
us thank God that it is, no worse than it
is.