Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-11-13
After the Battle.

It is now eight months since hIr. Harri-
son assumed control of the federal govern
ment.
The elections just over are the first that
have occurred under his administration.
The fact, therefore, that the democratic
vote has increased in nearly all sections and
TO such an extent that it may be compared
to tidal wave is as interesting as it Is sug-
gestive.
The republicans will of course stoutly
deny that il is sign of the trend of public
opinion, and repudiate the allegation that
it can be regarded as the popular verdict on
the ADMINISTRATION, but even they must ad
nit that the coincidence is sufficiently re-
markable to demand explanation.
AS for the fierce and bitter conflict in
Virginia, it must be freely conceded that it
was practically an administration fight and
that the result is a singing and deserved
lebuke of Mr.. Harrison. He unwarrantably
intruded into the politics of that State.
Knowing the methods of Malone, he sane.
toned them and assisted him by every ill.,
fiuence which President can command to
carry the elections by fraud and corruption.
The Navy yard and the Custom House,
with the immense patronage attached
| thereto, were placed at Mahone's disposal.
He had whatever money was needed to in
fluence voters; he had the constant advice
of the shre widest and most INSCRIPTIONS
leaders of the republican party, and he had
the priceless prestige of the government.
In spite of these advantages, which were
used for all they were worth, he is to-day a
| dead lion, and it is safe to say that Mr..
| Harrison has won neither credit for bis
shrewdness nor honor for his motives by
the part he took in the battle.
But in other sections the democrats have
either won an unexpected victory or 80 ssri
ously decreased the republican plurality
that politicians must needs put on their
thinking caps. Is change going on in
public opinion? Are the people beginning
to fad out hat the narrow policy of the re-
publcans-tiieirh home market humbuggery
their eagerBess for high taxes, that they
may spend the surplus in all kinds of job
berry; their pension tomfoolery as exempli
fed by Tanner; their civil service hypocrisy
and their rush for the spoilg of Office; theil
trucking to all sorts of monOpolies. com
bines and syndicates whose purpose is to
rob the people. and their avowed motto thai
TRUSTS ale private affsirs'-are the think
| ing citizens opening their eyes to the fac
that the republican party must be RELOCATED
to the background for generation, that By
discipline and merited punishment it may
learn to govern without grabbings
If this is SO, then popular sovereignty il
indicating itself aud the masses are prov
ing that they can be safely trusted to ruiz
with honesty and conscience.
Massachusetts, has done some splendid
work. The machinery of Bracket has wo,
the day, but it is q costly victory. A few
more such and the republican party will b'
ruined. 1t retains its grip, but with relax
ed and trembling muscles. An aroused
public sentiment threw party affiliations tt
| the wind and Russell comes out of the igh
with wounds Of which he may be proud.
But Ohio and Iowa are revelations. Thinl
of the great Iowan republican stronghold
going democratic! Ia the Buckeye State
Foraker boosted that no power on earth
could beat him. He had the State in hi
fst He would go through the democratic
ranks like an elephant through forest o
saplings. He laughed at the fears of thu
cautious and sneered at the warnings Of th'
tmid He conducted fght unparalleled
for bitterness, for gross personalities, TO
sectional hatred and for appeals to preju
dice and passion. The ballot box has laugh
| him a lesson. His punishment has bsen a!
severe as it was richly merited.
| And so all along the iiue. From Iowa tt
the Atlantic the same evidences of healthy
and independent public opinion are maui
| fest.
| The election season has been stimulating
exciting, delightful. For the mont part il
has been both thoughtful and good natured
The republicans will accept the results witt
resignation and the democrats with increas
I'd confidence that the economic policy they
.4osegens wiIl be ip0msed by tho people
and ;nau.1,fstA au err Of national prosper
ity in which every cis'zeh wiilse ths gaio-
EN-. Y HeratG.