The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-11-11

II Is common privilege TO specuia1o
on causes and it is one exercised to the
fullest by all capable of forming an opin-
ion. The defeat in Wisconsin is due to
causes 30 apparent that they need only
enumeration and not discussion.
small majority was to be expected as
Wisconsin is republican state; but the
majority by which the republican ticket
was elected does not fairly represent the
relative strength of the parties IN this
state. The republicans lost strength In
their strongholds but more than made
good their loss from the ranks of demo-
Gratis. The distribution of federal pat
ronage disintegrated the democratic par
ty of the state, that is temporarily, as
those democrats who acted with the re-
publicans have in no sense become con-
verts to republican principles but voted
as they did to emphasize the doctrine
that "to the victors belong the spoiis.
In not a few instances spiteful dlsap-
pointment at failure to receive political
guerdon caused desertion to republican
ranks. There are democrats as there are
republicans, whose ideas of party never
rise above the sordid one of pillage.-
Victory is significant of plumber and is
wholly disassociated from feelings OF
satisfaction at the triumph of principle.
But disappointed greed was by no means
sufficient 10 produce the result so dis
astrous to the democratic party. Many
who are democrats from principle and
who dc not require share of the spolls
to confirm their allegiance to the party,
feel that under democratic administra-
| ton the claims of democrats for office
should be paramount to those OF repub-
| leans and that those who stood by the
party in the days Of its adversely are en-
titled to more consideration than are the
recent converts whose faith in democracy
was quickened by the excellent prospect
of its advent to power.
That the s'offices" were the most potent
factor in the last election is fully demon,
strated by an analysis of the vote. Those
who believe in a change as matter OF
principle without thought of personal
advantage and those who believe in &
change from selfish motives resolved tc
rebuke the administration and did il
quite effectuaily. The former are still
democrats; the latter are hirelings, poll
teal prostitutes whose detection from
the party if persisted in, we'll compen-
safes for defeat.
There was no strife for the offices il
Manitowoc county, and no dissatisfaction
because of the dilatoriness in removal
As result the majority, relatively to tn
vote cast, is fully as great this fall as
was in 1884.
One thing more had its effect: Th
belief that the election was wholly in th
interests of Colonel Villas. The proof
are clear that Mr.. Villas desired abov
all things that the democrats carry tn
legislature, and that not because it woul'
be democratic victory, but because
would subserve his personal ends. Th
attempt to defeat the antiVilas demo
cratic candidate for assembly in Kewau
nee county by an independent candidat
did not have its origin in Kewaune
county. Delaney's nomination in th
Second district is not wholly free froI
suspicious of federal interference, an
there is ample ground for the belief tina
the success of the state ticket was mai
Ter of little consequence as compare
with the capture of the state Legislature
1t was because Colonel Bouck becam
satisfied of this at the last moment tina
he refused to be candidate and til
event has demonstrated his foresight an
fully justified his action.
1t is fully as reprehensible for ma
of national reputation to subordinate
Y political victory to his personal ambition
as it is for the cross roads politician
: hail party triumph as a promise ths
7 the hungry shall be fed. The democrat
< party belongs to no one man and if th
kick" of this fall has taught that lesso
it is blessing in disguise.