Year: 1874




The elections in New Hampshire and
Connecticut having shown Democratic
majorities in those States, the organs of
the g .'putrid reminscence" are gathering
hopes therefrom that their political sins
in the past have been so far forgotten and
forgiven, that there is some chance for it
to once more take hand in shaping the
destinies of the nation. They see, or af7
feet to see in these slight reverses which
have befallen the Republican party, signs
of its approaching downfall. But they
ignore the fact that political history has
shown many such apparent changes
which, when a true political issue was
Joined, only proved that the majority re-
tanned their political views the same as
before, and had only left their party
ranks to accomplish some purpose which
success within the party was despaired Of.
The history Of our local politics in Cali
fornia may be cited as a fair illustration.
With the prestige Of a majority counted
by tens of the usands by which Lincoln
had carried the State over Mcclellan in
1864, Gorham was defeated for the Gov
ernorship by nearly 10000 votes. Cali
ifornia was at once set down as a Demo
cratic State. But the following year she
was redeemed and cast her electoral vote
for Grant. The year following witnessed
another reaction which swept the State
like tornado for the Democracy, only
to witness the election Of Booth and o
Republican Legislature in 1871.


There is, however, moral to be drawn
from the results of these elections which
it will not do for Republicans to over
look. There is something in the policy
of the Republican party, or some act up
on the part of it's leaders now in power
which is repugnant to a portion of the
party and this portion have shown their
dissatisfaction by acting upon this occas-
ion, with their old enemies, the Demo
Gratis. 1t does not follow that those who
haye withdrawn from the Republican
ranks in sufficient numbers to carry those
two States for the opposition, are hence
forth to be counted as reliable Demo
Gratis. But at this present time there is
no great national question upon which
the forces of Republcanism can be unan-
imously rallied. OF the measures up fol-
Congressional action some are supported
| by majority of the Democratic mem.
bers-some by majority of Republicans
but there are none which show close
drawing Of party lines. The action o.
the voters of New Hampshire and Con-
necticut and New Hampshire does not
then, signify a desire for the triumph o.
Democratic principles so much as it doe:
a distrust OF the party in power. Party
ties are powerless to hold men to the or,
ganization under such circumstances.
And this is fact which Republican lead
ers should consider.


We do not apprehend that the result
of these Spring elections is Indicative O
a general Republican defeat. Still les:
do we believe it the presage of genera
Democratic triumph. For whatever may
have been the sins of the Republican par.
ty, they are venial in comparison with
those of the Democracy. But at the
present time, when new organizations are
being looked to as the only remedy fo
supposed grievances, there is grand op
portunity for the Republican leaders, b,
assuming the initiative in measures of re
form, to establish the party more firmly
in the hearts of the people than it evel
was before. The Democrats of this State
have sounded the keynote, indicating
the manner in which they propose to con-
duct the next contest, and it would be
only the part of wisdom to forestall them
if it can be done without having to resort
to the depths of demagoguery of which
that party has heretofore shown itself ca
pable.