National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-11-13
The Field Reviewed.

Considering the results or the November
elections Of 'SG as to their effects upon the
prospects Of parties, 1t must be conceded,
by even the most intensely partisan of
Democrats or the most bllndly bigoted OF
Mugwufps, that the advantages are largely
with the Republicans. Although Demo-
cratic politicians aud Mugwump phiios-
ophers may affect to soc Democratic gains
and a general strengthening Of anti .Repub-
lican influences, we cannot believe there Is
a serious doubt In any intelligent mind
that the Republican outlook for 'SS has
been materially improved by the November
voting.
There will not be single day from now
on till the next election for President when
Democrats will look TO the future with that
calm confidence which filled the Democratic
mind on the first day Of this month, nor
will there come any day when Republicans
will feel SO much Of doubt and discourage
ment as they could not help feeling before
the popular verdict on the administration
was rendered.
The Republican party will, therefore,
move on toward the next great quadrennal
contest with well.grounded hopes OF vic.
tory, a victory to be won by united party
having definite policy and dependent on
itself alone for success, while the Demo-
cratic party, rent by feuds, agreeing on no
issue, incapable Of agreement on any of the
leading questions of the time, will go on
hoping TO be again successful through the
aid of squad Of self-rlghteous boilers
from the Republican party.
We do not omit, In general summing up
Of results, the disaster which has befullen
our own side in the loss Of three seats In the
Senate. TO have the Republican majority
in that body reduced to two Is a serious
matter, which We are by no means disposed
TO make light Of. But this misfortune
counts for little as political factor, 1t
throws no gloom on the future, and will
have no influence in deciding whether the
next President shall be a Republican or a
Democrat.
One Of the results is the transfer OF two
important states, Virginia and Indiana, from
the Democratic to the "doubtful' column.
Before the "a instant there were few Re.
publiCaus who did not concede both these
states to the Democrats In 'SS. Now there
are few Democrats who deny, aud some OF
the most prominent Democratic journals
candidly admit, that both states are fight.
ing ground for both parties.
The utter decentralization OF the Demo-
cratic party on the great question of the
tariff Is more convlnciugly demonstrated
than II ever has been by any election
Many of the most reputable and iniiuentia
Democratic journals north and south, cas-.
ard west, make no attempt. to hide their
disgust with the free trade wing of their
party. On the other hand, the free trade
journals make au equal show Of indigul'
tion and contempt. We are not disposed
TO ignore the defeat Of Republican protec
tionists in Minnesota and Massachusetts,,
but leading free trade paper, the st. Paul
Pimccr Press, says the tariff had nothing
TO do with the defeat Of Republican
congressman In the former state,
aud so able and honest a Demo
cratic paper as the New York Sun has most
conclusiycly shown that the tariff issue was
not factor in the Democratic gains IN the
Bay state. 1t Is undeniible, however, tia.
the free traders have suffered a severe chas,
tiscmCnt in the fall Of Mr.. Morrison aud
the nnnihilatlon Of Mr.. Hurd as a political
entity. In their districts the fight was
made on the tariff almost exclusively, aud
their fate is what scores Of Others who arc
elected would have met if the same issue
had been drawn on them with equal zeal
and pcrSistency.
Before the elections Of the 81 instant the
total electoral vote of the south was con
Cedcd to the Democracy. Now there will
he strong and hopeful fight in three
southern states at least We do not doubt
that a number Of Republican states-such
as South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louis
iana-will be made to go for the Democracy.
1t is not impossible, not very improbable
even, that the Mississippi plan will he used
in the border states when Democratic
solidity is seriously menaced. More than
one southern statesman has stated I'm this
city that the south would not permit It's
solidlty TO be broken In presidential year.
But We shall hope for something like Il fair
fight In Virginia and North Carolina, at
least, and shall expect to see them cut loose
from the cadaver Of the lost cause aud take
up their rightful places-in the line OF pro-
motion, in the march Of progress.
The labor movement IN New York Is fun
Of danger to Democratic asccndency, bat
this is about offset by the Republican ar.
Fiction in number Of close states--ths
prohibition movement.
Viewing the political field IN the light of
the November elections, We fluid, as We have