Year: 1868

mour; others for not nominating Chase; 9th
ers still for not nominating Pendleton, and
still others for not nominating some other men
any other men-rather than those that were |
nominated. They adopt this method of ae-
counting for and excusing their defeat, just as
some people lament the death Of friends BY
blaming the physician.


The Republicans think this censpre altogeth-
er uncalled for. They think that the Demo-
cratic leaders did the best they could under the
circumstances, and were in no wise RESPONSE
bic for the defeat the party suffered. In the
first place they had no man who enjoyed uni
Versal popularity like Gen. Grant, and that
would draw all the elements of the party, to
his support; second, they suffered from their
record of the rebellion, which placed them in
an anomalous condition; third, the rebel ele
ment of the South took SO prominent part az
their convention and made such bold decara-
tions ont of it that the conservative element o.
all parties was driven from them-and they
could not hope to succeed without that aid
fourth the people did not deem the party
competent to deal with the issues now before
the country, and fifth, the party that put down
the rebellion was thought to be the safest par
| ty to have control of the affairs of the nation.
These were the causes that led to their defeat
causes which the leaders could not control.


To charge the defeat to their candidates is
also unfair and untrue. 1t is foolish to try to
lock the stable With this key after general Dis
trust has stolen the horse. They had no man
that enjoyed more general popularity than Mr.
Seymour. Mr.. Pendleton, it is true, was more
popular with the peace wing; and Gen. Han
cock was stronger with the small war faction,
but the friends of each would not support the
other. Their influence, though strong, was
limited As for Chief Justice Chase, they
could not consistently have nominated him,
though it came near being done. AS some of
their papers said they could have taken up
Sumner with as much consistency, had he
wanted the nomination. Yet some attribute
their defeat to his not being put at the head
of the ticket, Our Democratic exchanges in
this State are now discussing this matter. The
Delararean gives prominence to correspon-
dent who takes the above-expressed view of
the matter. He thinks the Chief Justice would


probably have carried the election, for al
though he holds the doctrine of universal suf-
frage, yet he also maintains the doctrine OF
State rights, which is so dear to the Demo.
cratic party"


The Gazette takes the other horn of the di.


lemma. 1t says:


Had Mr.. Chase been saddled upon us, the
Democracy of Delaware could hardly have


borne up under him. He would have sunk
beneath his negro suffrage ideas; and been


buried so deep amid bis greenbacks and his
currency bonds and gold bearing bonds that il
would have taken long years to have resurrect


ed party


We believe it was this view-that the party
could not bear up under him-that defeated


his nomination. He would have been taker


up, with his niger equality" government


rags, end all had the party felt sure they
) could have been successful with him. They
were working for the success of their party
) rather than for the maintenance of great ma
tional principles Just as they did in ga
when Mcclellan was nominated on a platform
, that he never endorsed.


1t was negro suffrage, of which Judge Chase


has been recognized leader, that drove 81
!, many men into the Democratic ranks in thi


State during the recent canvass, and tina
alone. Many Republicans frightened by th


bugaboO voted the Democratic :icket. Wheth
CT they bettered their condition or not timt
will disclose. Judging from the ''policy course
: of the Democratic party in the past we expect


to see it become more radical party than tn,
Republic n1 on this issue, and then our form.
or friends will see their mistake in leaving us
instead of accepting the issue at once.