Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-09-16
FoVR AND a ELF PER CENT.

The Boston Globe ridicules the calcula
tons OF the Greeleyites since the Maine
election, showing the absurdity OF the
four and half per cent. reckoning when
compared with the prophecies and antici'
pations INDUCED in before the election
Perhaps we ought to allow them their
four and half per cent. consolation, but
the article in the Globe is so sensible that
we can not forbear copying.
The present hope of success in electing Mr..
Greeley a. President 10 no longer . ''tidal
wave" '.grand uprising Of the people," or
q great moral earthquake" for the late
State elections have dissipated all these wild
dreams and driven the dreamers to their slate
and pencil. Since the result in Maine the
New York Tribune has gone into very close
calculation as to how much the republican
majority falls below the majority 10 the year
1868, and arrives at the comforting conclusion
that the Greeleyites have gained about four
and half per cent. of the entire republican
vote in that State. This, then, is the substi-
tute for the ''tidal wave" which was to carry
Mr.. Greeley into power; q modest four and
half per cent. gain upon the republican forces.
But this very gentle and manly earthquake,
lulS mSaSOIcu 8u0 lluIltSu uPElSiuB, buc L I'LL
osopher thinks will do; for he says in his
Tribune that even so scanty gain as that
will give him Pennsylvania, Indiana, Alaba-
ma and California, "and these added to the
solid democratic column, will carry US tri-
umphantly through"
This sort Of whistling to keep ones courage
up is very amusing when the four and half
per cent. theory 10 contrasted with the POM
pous announcements Of assured victory which
were put forth by the Tribune 1t the time Of
the Baltimore domination, and with the sub
sequent prophecies Of uprisings, foods and
earthquakes. Even up to the time Of the
Maine election the Tribune would have scorn-
ed such Q meagre measure of success a. q
four and half percentage of gain on . vote
of four years ago. 1t was but few days be-
fore the recent contest in Maine that the
Tribune counted on q victory there, or at
least large reduction of last years admins
tration majority, and thereon based its hopes
Of party encouragement and valuable rein
forcement of recruits. In the absence Of q
victory and in the substitution Of large in
crease for the expected large reduction Of
last years majority, the cheerful organ now
proponnds its magnificent theory of four and
half per cent. for the encouragement Of its
party and - stimulus to the recruiting ser
vice.
But even this dismal attempt at comfort
small as that comfort would be, is a. vain and
shadowy ~ the exploded predictions of tidal
waves and the like. If, instead of taking the
republican majority Of four years ago as the
basis Of it, calculation, the Tribune would
adopt the much fairer test of taking the aver
age majority of the last Ave years, it would
find that the late election, instead of showing
| democratic gain of four and half per cent.
upon the republican vote, shows democratic
loss of just that amount, and, therefore. ut
terly upsets its theory Of carrying the closely
contested States for Greeley. Whatever. IL
done in any Of these States to build up the
Tammany and Ku.Klux combination must be
done without q breath Of inspiration from
Maine, and the arithmetic man might ~ vel
lay aside his slate and pencil and 30 to worl
with what heart he may.