New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-10
A SURVEY OF THE FIELD.

Tho magnitude and completeness OF the no
publican victory are better appreciated With
each DAYS disclosures. In every direction
gains are seen. Even in Connecticut and New
Jersey, outside Of the few localities where the
liquor interest or other corrupting influences
caused loss, Republican gains arc so general
as to prove tho success of the appeal to the pub
lie intelligence. From the Delaware River
west to the Pacific Ocean, the Republican party
Is found stronger at every point for the issue
forced upon the country by the President. Nor
has the South been held solid in the presence
of that issue, for no one can doubt thai the
mines and manufactures Of West Virginia
and the shipyards and other industries OF
Delaware had much to do with the unexpected
viotory in those States.
IF any doubt that the tariff question" turned
the scale in many States he has only to CONSIDER
the sweeping changes in Congressional repre-
sentation. In every part of the country, the
Democratic party has lost votes six or eight in
the East, about as many in the South. and as
many in the West. Corruption and the liquor
interest retain for that-party the seat Of Senator
Mcpherson, of NewNJersey, but the loss OF two
seats in the Senate from the South insures CON-
plete Republican control Of both branches OF
Congress. Such remark able changes, following
the heavy losses sustained by the Democrats
two wears ago, make ii clear that the voters
who have turned the scale had in mind, not
only or chiefly tho dministrative-sho rtoomings
of Democracy, but particularly its attempt to
overthrow the protective system. Even IN
Minnesota, where opposition to Protection
seemed 80 fashionable not long ago that the
Free Traders hoped for victory, the change
has been 80 complete that solid Republican
delegation, IN harmony with the President-elect
and the platform of tho party, has been elected.
These things Will teach the politicians OF both
parties that il is no longer safe TO be sneering
or carping at the system of protection or openly
assaihng it. A great many Democrats who
Welded, moro or less reluctantly, to the threats
or the coercion Of the President would now
fatty refuse to vote again for the Mills bill. or
for apy measure of similar tendencies. In the
immediate future we are likely to see great
Democratic revulsion against the beaten Pred-
Dental dictator and his despised Mugwunp adj
viscrs, and turning to MIR. Randall as tho only
sane and leyel-headed leader who has not
helped to bring the party into disgrace.
Ii will be observed as the smoke Of the con-
fict clears away, that the efforts Of the Repub-
Hcan party for the cause of temperance cost 1t
heavily, especially in the three doubtful East
ern States. The protested friends Of temper
ance did not fail, by means of separate tickets,
to defeat Mr. Miller in this State and Mr..
Phelps in New-Jersey, and they served the
liquor interest 30 well in the latter State that a
Democratic Legislature win now have power to
repeal the Local Option and License law In
one Democratic county, where prohibition was
recently voted by large majority. two liquor
sellers have been elected to the
Legislature, In part by the votes of
the very Democrats who voted for
prohibition. These voters cared for temper
ance a little, for Democracy q great deal, and
for consistency not at all. But the response
bility Of dealing with the liquor question will
now rest with the Democratic party in that
State, and to a Democratic Governor the votes
of the people have given power to veto temper
ance measures in New-Y York. The Republican
party has the satisfaction Of having made a
brave. honest and manly effort, which, it ap-
pears, the voters were not sufficiently in favor
Of temperance to sustain.