Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-10-12
From the Petersburg Intrllieenccr.

KIP RAPS" AND THE ENQUIRER
Grip Raps," in the last Republican, discharges
upwards OF four columns of "grape and canis,ern
at the Enquirer. Grip Raps'' evidently feels
mat he has gained the upper-hand in the conflict
and therefore he is cool, selfpossessed and cour-
realistically TO take advantage of every error
committed by his opponent, and exposing as little
as possible his own weak points. He thus
"shows up" the Enquirer's attempt to delude the
Public concerning Mr.. Van Buren's strength
You state with confidence that "Rip Rams"
errs In all the elements of his calculations He
errs In surprising that Mr.. Van Buren, wanted
more man 100000 majority to elect him.
change IN less than 5000 would have elected him
In 1910, and WiH elect him in 1914"
| Am mistaken in the elements of nv calcuIa-
tonst have estimated tho majority apainst
! Mr.. Van Buren, In 1910 at (lI5,775) one hundred
and forty-fye thousand seven hundred and seven
/ ty-hve. But never stated that it required a
Change of more than 100000 to elect him The
majority is ascerlained by the plainest rules of
Arithmetic. applied to the returns after the cleo
tion III 1870, and you can ascertain that majority
10 fraction. But you prefer to have recourse to
supposiiious case, and insist that "a change i'm
less than (9O00) nine thousand votes would have
elected HIN In lSi0 and ,UiU elect hin, in IS44''
that 1t they could be located precisely to suit
the views of MIR. Van Buren,. If he could have
eHected 9OOO changes-and If they could have
neen effected precisely when and where Mr.
k'tchie should direct, why Mr.. Van Buren, might
nave been elected! But there stand these IoEr
s. And there stands that majority! And such
a majority And one too which will not weld
70 "ifs nor ands,' but requires to be overcome bv
substantial voters.
Bot suppose it to be true that Mr.. Van Buren,
msM have been elected by change in 5000
votes, placed to suit Mr.. Richie What would
the nation then have Witnessed VIM. H. Har-
rison was elected President by majority of 49,
100 votes Excluding South CaroIina.) Deduct
5000 from this-t will be reduced TO l36.715
votes majority. Add the 5000 TO the poll of Mr.
Van Buren-which is equal to a reduction of
farrison's majority 5000 more. Which would
reduce that majority TO l27,775 votes! And thus
even according 10 Tie suppOsitous case put by Mr.
ntcHte, WIN. IL. Harrison would have received
clear majority of the surages of the people equal
10 (i21,7T5) one hundred and twenty seven thou
sand seven hundred and seventy-fvei And net
6y he. still IF Mr.. Richie in political arithme-
nc, Mr.. Van Buren, would have been chosen Pre-
sident OF the United States. with this enormous
majority recorded against him! And he says this
change In less than 5000 votes will elect him
(Mr. V. 81 In lSd4!! If it should, it will fur !
nish beautiful illustration Of the principles Of
our government" and of the efficacy of the Po-
puiar PTinciple.' ~
When these or similar calculations were oripi- |
na'iy submitted to the country. regarded them as
intended 10 cheer the dropping spirits of the van
them as the basis of calculations which will 90 !
yeTn the acton Of the Republican party may be J
iatai! 1t we must deal in supposabIe cases |
without reference to probabilities there are other
cases equally suPposable If we may suppose !
change IN 5000 votes for Mr.. Van Buren, we may !
suppose change in 1000 votes against him This |
Is equally suPposable, and some might think ra- |
tner more So--taking into consideration the faci- |
l'ty win which changes actually made a. |
gainst him, and the slow progress made i'm effect
ing changes Jr him, according 10 all past expe-
renee. With 5000 changes supposed AGAINST
him, and located with not half the skill which |
would be displayed by Mr.. Richie, what would !
nave been the state Of the poll
1t VIII be recollected that of the 1891 two !
hundred and ninety-four votes in the Electoral |
Colleges of 1910, Mr.. Van Buren, received sixty
vi these Virginia gave 23--on majority Of !
l592. a change in 700] seven hundred votes
oi the people, would have lost Virginia and re-
duced his poll % votes in the Electoral Colleges
Illinois gave Mr. Van Buren, five (5) votes in
tne Electoral college, on popular majority of
l939. change in less than 1000 votes would |
nave lost Illinois, and reduced the poll FIVE votes
IN the college. Arkansas gave Mr.. Van Buren,
three votes in the Electoral College, on popular
majority of 1856. A change in less than $50
would have lost that State, and reduced the poll
three votes. Thus,
IN Virginia, change Of 700 occasions loss Of %
In Illinois, change Of 1000, makes loss of >
In Arkansas, change of $50, makes loss Of 2
Total change, $3.50, makes loss Of 81
ihus IT is shown, that change in less Dian
twenty-five hundred and fifty (255O) votes in the
hree states Of Virginia, Illinois and Arkansas !