The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-01
THE THREE OCTOBER STATES.

On the 10th of this month three of the GEN.
trail States hold elections whose results will
upon the Presidential contest We refer to
West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana.
In 1856 Ohio voted for Fremont, but Indiana
went for Buchanan. Since that time each of
these States has invariably cast it's electoral
votes for the Republican nominee for Presi-
dent, giving him, with scarcely one exception,
heavy majority Of the popular vote: West West
It voted for President for the first time in
1864, when Mr.. Lincoln obtained majority Of
about 3,000 In the two campaigns OF 1868
and 1872 it gave it's electoral votes to Grant,
Tested by the results Of past years, these
three States have been as Trustworthy sup
porters of tho candidates and measures Of the
Republican party as any States in the Union
except Vermont, Maine and Rhode Island. On
ono or two occasions, and under peculiar cir
cumstances, the Democrats have succeeded in
carrying them by small msjorities. Ohio, how
ever, We believe, has never given an absolute
Democratic majority for any State candidate
since the Republican party was formed. Two
years ago, when the people, irrespective OF
party, rose mp and stamped out the third term
conspiracy, there was an aggregate majority
for the Democratic and Liberal candidates for
Congress in each CT these States. But that
was a sporadic case, and it does not vac4te
the general rule that places West Virginia,
Ohio and indiana among the esdy-going Re-
publican States, upon which that party hes
been wont TO rely with confidence in Presl-
Dental contest.
Bnt let ma look at the details. AS in respect
to Vermont and Maine, so in regard to these
three States the proper standard for determin-
ing the Significance of the results in October
next will be to compare them with the results
of the October elections in previous Presidential
years. CoDfnipg ourselves to the October
elections il the Presidential years since it be-
came a State, West Virginia has given an
average Republican majority on its State
ticket of $500. Beginning with the year when
Mr.. Lincoln was fist chosen President, Ohio,
according to this rule, has csst an average
Republican majority for its State ticket in
October of 29. 500 During the same period,
Indiana has given its State ticket in October an
average Republican majority of $500.
In the light of these facts it is reason able to
say that if the Republicans expect to elect
Hayes they must Garry West Virginia, Ohio
and Indiana in October Possibly they might
spsre West Virginia: but if they hope to stand
| the slightest chance for success in Novem ber,
| they must sweep Ohio in October by majority
| equal to the average of the last sixteen years
| as presented above, aud they must at the same
time elect their ticket in Indiana by hand
| some majority.
The National Republican Committee are
| making loud boasts of their ability to carry
| all three of these States in October. These
| vauntings imply an admission that it is sb-
solutely necessary for them to carry them.
However, with the facts and figures we have
| presented, every one will have the means OF
estimating the Significance of these important
| elections. The Democrats might lose two OF
them without impsiring their chances of suo-
cess in November. Should they carry two, ne
| body will have any doubt of the election OF
Tilden. If they should happen to carry the
whole three, Hayes would be practically
thrown out of the canvass.