The herald., 1894-11-12
FAMILIAR FACTS OF HISTORY

With three eXCeptlon6-tneBe Delng
Che two terms of President Lincoln and
the first term of President Cleveland
the second year of every national ad-
ministration has shown al apparent re-
buke and reputation of its policy.
Let US recall the occasions, beginning
half a century ago. Gen. Harrison e
election in 1S40 was whirlwind that
apparently swept the "loco.focos' from
power forever. But in 1912 only So
Wings found their way back into CON-
greas.
Polk's administration, by all odds the
most fruitful and promising that the
country had ever known. 30 far as &C.
quisition of territory and other great
material results 60. was repudisted in
1916 and very nearly the usual overturn
occurred in the congressional elections.
In 1S4S. which was supposed to De the
high water mark of the Whig power, it
being greatly aided oy the help of the
Free Sellers, who formed an alliancs
with it, had an outlook that was never
squalled in promise. Two years later
however, the Democrats elected 140
congressmen-a majority OF 81.
In 1852 franklin Pierce received 254
electoral lvotes and Gen. Scott only AZ.
Yet in the next election the Democrats
had only SO members OF the upper
branch OF congress to 13l against them.
In 1856 very nearly the same changes
hraunht toh horb pyaoidank
an being opposed in 1858 by the new
American party. in addition to the just
born Republican party.
AS we said at first, the two terms OF
Lincoln form an exception to the sweep
ing changes that had occurred before,
because the conditions were wholly
different-although in the second year
OF each term there WAS a slight reaction
against him.
In 1879 the Democrats increased their
representation in congress about 80 per
cent above what it was when General
Grant came in; while in 1874, two years
after his second term began. his party
was absolutely swept out of power for a
xeason. OF course it is fair to add that
the panic of 1873 helped on the tre-
merdous overturn, just as has been
done by this one that came upon the
country exactly 20 years later. Almos,
the whole north went against the party
in power. Massachusetts in that fateful
1874, which had given Grant in the
neigh borhood OF 0,000 majority on q
email vote, elected William CASTOR, a
Democrat, governor by nearly 5000.
Even Maine wobbled in her walk. The
house OF representatives was changed
from 102 Republican majority to 81
against them.
In 1876, which was almost the same
rs Democratic triumph in the public
mind-President Hayes did not receive
. majority OF the popular vote, and
had, therefore, less to lose than his
predecessors; and yet the "off year.
programme was enacted over again, as
the elections of 1868 abundantly show.
The second year, also, of the Gar field
Gratis a gain Of 90 congressman and q
majority OF "a.
In 1886 President Cleveland suffered
only small loss of popularity and the
party kept its control Of congress,
though with a small working majority.
In the second year of Harrison's ad-
ministration the Republican party ir
congress was cut almost exactly in two
their total strength being only So votes.
1t will thus be seen that the recent
Democratic reverse is in line with the
political history of the nation for more
than 30 years. 1t was more severe than