Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-11-07
COMMUNICATED.
THE MORAL OF THE LATE ELEC-
TT0NS

y udtO uOW Uuc ScuOEal lOSultS VI
Tuesdays elections. The story is one
of signal democratic defeat throughout
the Union. There are two exceptions
only-one in Mississippi, where the
party has its usual large majority, and
another in Virginia, where the vote
was light and there was hardly any or
ganized opposition. But this is ell.
We cannot regard the local triumph in
New York city matter of boasting,
when We win by twenty thousand votes
instead of cur usual majority of sixty
thousand. The State goes republican
10y hundred thousand and the legisla-
ture is lost by large majorities: The
once sturdy democratic State OF New
Jersey goes republican by tweDty-six
thousand. Pennsylvania goes republican
by one hundred and sixty thousand.
OHIO, where the democrats hoped to
triumph, gives the republicans eighty
thousand majority, and seat in the
U. S. Senate is wrested from the demo-
Gratis. Kentucky, at this writing, is re-
ported republican with the loss of an
other democratic seat in the Senate.
Maryland is lost with another seat in
the Senate for the republicans. Mas
sachusetts and Iowa increase their
usual party majorities. Nebraska and
Kansas also continue republican, while
the new Stete of Utah promises to join
the procession, with two more republi-
can Senators. There is no use blinking
these ugly facts. They only repeat the
disasters of 1898 and 1894. We have
another Waterloo to study and ponder
over.
The minions of the administration
are already suggesting that the result
is due to the labor question and the
lack of Jealous loyalty to Mr.. Cleve-
land. There was, they say, too much
bimetallism and too little prostration be-
fore their God. Grover is ali right.
He is unhurt and serene, and can view
with composure the terrible disaster
into which the party has fallen.
Neither explanation will bear examina-
ton. The Massachusetts, democratic
convention endorsed Mr.. Cleveland
and the gold standard. His friends
held the banners. The New York de-
mocracy did the same and declared
war upon the greenbacks in the most
approved Wall street style. The Penn
sylvania democrats, maishaled by Boss
Harrity, bowed themselves in the very
dust oil the foot of the throne. The
lava democracy in convention follow
cd the financial signal of Mr.. Carlisle
aud Mr.. Cleveland. The Maryland
and the Ohio democratic conventions
chanted the praises of the administra-
zion and echoed its financial policy.
The New Jersey convention did the
same thing. All these conventions and
their candidates were nevertheless
routed horse, foot and dragons. The
gold standard did not save them. AID.
ula,ion and endorsement of the admin
istration proved unavailing. If there
be any moral in sll these results, it is
that sycophancy and monometallism,
however cuuniugly blended, do not
work we'll as medicines for the demo
cratic stomach.
The States that weathered the storm
and did the best are Virginia, whtr
the silver coinage ism was moi
specially presented or condemned, and
Mississippi, where the convention bold
ly demanded free coinage by an over
whelming and nearly unanimous vote.
II is obvious that We must look be-
yond the administration explanation
for the causes that have wrecked the
party. What are those causes?
1 answer that after party has
nominated and elected its President il
cannot escape the consequences OF the
errors and plumbers ne may make.
They will be judged by what ne does
and by his policy; for it need not be
stated that they cannot pursue and en-
act any policy contrary to bis fiat. His
patronage and position make him the
inevitable leader of the party for good
or for evil. 1t is bond for four years
anyhow, even if it be fatal one.
Now, Mr.. Cleveland is net party
man. He has little respect for demo
cratic platforms or traditions. He
knows little of it's history and cares
less. His idea is that of personal gov
eminent, and he is fully as anxious to
please republicans as democrats. He
is quite willing to drive off lifelong
democrats if he can get republicans to
take their places. Acting on this the
ory, Mr.. Cleveland has made war on
prominent democratic statesmen, chill
ed the party enthusiasm, disorganized
the party, and only made half.friends of
the republicans be relied on to fill the
gaps in our ranks. 1t is needless to
discuss the effects of this absolutism.
1t is not the way in which Jefferson,
Jackson and the great party leaders of
this and other countries have built up
their party and cemented their politi-
cal power. 1t means ain ruin and
disintegration.
I'd. Mr.. Cleveland after being elected
by the united energies of the whole
party mas since his election INDUCED
aud cultivated policy of personal re-
sentiments towards many democrats
rnore relentless by far than if he were
a republican President. Even in
monarch this would be very unwise.
Sd. Mr.. Cleveland has disrsgarded
the platforms of the party and treated
them as utilities. No party can stand
such systematic defiance of IFS opin-
ions, faith and dogmas. 1t is discredit-
ed and made ridiculous before gods
and men.
4th. In the management of two pub
lie questions Mr.. Cleveland has been
unfortunate and unwise. From the
election of 1892 until August 1894, a
period of nearly two years, the great
manufacturing interests who compose
about fourth or third of the whole
L Al 4 i u