Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-11-11
Stanton Speftator.
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 18th, 1881.
The Result of the Recent Elections.

Elections were held in eleven States on
the 3rd inst, and the result is favorable to
the Democrats and discouraging to the Re-
publicans. In five of these States-Massa-
chusetts, New York, Maryland, Ohio, and
Iowa-Governors were elected, and of the
five, the Democrats elected four, two of
them-Boies, of Iowa, and Russell, of Massa-
chusetts-in States that have heretofore
been recognized as Republican by consid-
cradle majorities. The Democrats lost no
Democratic State and were successful in
two Republican States, showing that the
trend of public sentiment is towards the
Democratic party. The Democrats expect
ed to carry New York, but had no idea of
doing 30 by such glorious majority. The
majority of forty or forty -odd thousand,
which it seems to be, is more than double
as much as they expected; and whilst they
entertained some hope of electing their
candidates for Governor in the Republican
States of Massachusetts and Iowa, they did
not expect them to be elected by the ma
jorities they got, which in each case is about
seven thousand. Maryland, of course, the
Democrats expected to carry as they did.
Ohio, the Democrats generally did not ex-
pect to carry, though there were some who
thought there was some hope of doing 30,
as Campbell was making splendid canvass
and deserved to succeed. At the opening
of the canvass we stated that it would be
most wonderful and unexpected result if
Ohio, as strongly Republican as it is, and
with such man as Mckinley, should elect
Democratic candidate, however able and
popular he might be.
In view of the remarkable efforts made
by the administration, and the vast amount
OF money used in the oauvass-contribute
chiefly by the manufacturers of Pittsburgh
and other cities, the benefciaries of the
Mckinley Tariff the wonder is that Nc
Kinley's majority in Ohio is not much
greater than it is. In spite of these things,
the majority is only about 20, 900, not more,
we suppose, than half the normal Republi-
can majority. Ifsthe Republicans are thank
full for this result, they ssaresin a condition
to be thankful for small favors. We think
that it Is probably fortunate for the Demo-
Gratis that Mckinley was elected, for it will
induce, If not force, the Republicans to &C.
cept the Mckinley Tariff as the chief issue
In the Presidential election in 1892, and
that is what the Democrats desire. The
Republicans would like to avoid that issue,
and if MoRip1ax, boI Of tod how
would have done all they could to do SO.
The prospect now is, that the Mckinley
Tariff will be,the chief Issue, as it should
be. The result Of the elections in New
York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Iowa
would seem to indicate that the Democratic
candidate for President will be Cleveland
or Flower, and that for Vice.President,
Gray, of Indiana, or Boies, of Iowa. With
such ticket, the chances of the success
of the Democrats would be very good.
The result of the election in Virginia-if
the expression be allowabls-is too good to
be good. The majority in the Legislature
is too great to be wholesome. 1t is liable
to breed factions and discussions in the par
ty. There should be sufficient strength in
the opposing party to bind the Democrats
together. If there be but weak Republican
hoops there is danger that the slaves of the
Democratic barrel will fall .asunder. AS
anomalous as it may seem, it is yet true
that party may be too strong to be strong
its strength may be its weakness-it is
liable to be house divided against itself
which cannot stand.
We hope the Democratic Legislature will
be wise enough to avoid this result, but it
it will require good sense, sound judgment,
conservative action, and conciliatory coun-
sells. Looking over the broad field of the
Union, we can say, in the language of the
late Father Rchie-"The skies are bright |
and brightening."