Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-11-16
THE GREAT CONTEST.

Of young politicians used to say WIN
very knowing air, "wait until the
morning after the election and Ill
tell you who has the majority But
the Presidential election this year
completely baftled the prophets who
make wise predictions Of events after
they have taken place. In fact we
are unable to announce definitely
who is elected President. Those who
stayed up late on last Tuesday night
found the majority tumbling over the
wires so thick and fast for Tilden that
his election seemed to be assured be-
yond all dispute. The republicans
looked blank and dismal. 1t was a
terrible disappointment, but they
showed creditable spirit Of submis-
sion to the result. The electoral COL
lege makes up 369 votes. The sue
cessful candidate must have at least
1875 electors.
The air was vocal with democratic
rejoicings. 1t was their first Presi-
aeltial victory since the days Of Bu-
chanan. 1t was new thing to win
and they naturally felt highly exhiler.
ated. But it was destined to be a
closer election than they expected,
and before night they had good reason
to fear they might not be able to
"hold the fort" after all. Telegraph
ic dispatches came Of more cheering
complexion to tn, Republicans. The
democrats had been too fast in claim.
ing Wisconsin. 1t must be transferred
with it's ten votes from the Tilden to
the Hayes column, reducing Tildens
total to 1876. The democrats still felt
safe, however, for they confidently
expected solid South, and there was
a chance too of California, Oregon aud
Nevada for Tilden, although the Re-
publicans had claimed them all day.
The state of affairs was now becoming
intensely exciting. The Republicans
who had been brought to the point Of
giving it up. now took heart again
All was not lost. For every "hurrah
for Tilden" there was as quick and
hearty response, "hurrah for Hayes"
Each party went to bed with hopeful
feeling.
The developments OF Thursday
brought both parties up to feverish
pitch Of excitement. The democrats
were in that painful state Of suspense
which is the most uneasy feeling that
candidates and their friends can have.
They kept stiff upper lip, however.
on the strength Of dispatches showing
that South Carolina had gone for TIL
den, which would be almost full Of
set to the loss Of Wisconsin, AMI run
his figures up to 203. There were
also some encouraging dispatches from
Oregon. Meantime the republicans,
rising from the depths Of almost con-
coded defeat, were getting wild with
excitement over the unexpected turn
in affairs which promised victory after
all to Hayes. The democratic solid
South was now reported broken and
South Carolina, Florida, and Louisi-
ana all claimed for Hayes, giving him
q total Of 1875 electoral votes-just one
Of a majority. The excitement kept
hourly and fiercely increasing as each
party continued to receive dispatches
in which the above three States were
as confidently claimed for Hayes as
they were for Tilden, and in each case
by almost equal maiorities. A des-
patch from New York gives vivid
picture of the frenzied feeling prevail
ing there on Wednesday and Thurs
day, and the news rapidly spread by
telegraph until the whole country was
surging with excitement.
New YonK, November 8.-The
scenes in this city to-day have been
absolutely beyond cliption. The
announcement in the morning news.
papers that Tilden was elected fired
The Metropolitan heart and melted
acts of unparalleled enthusiasm. AS
early as 7 o'clock the bulletin. boards
were surrounded with cheering
throngs. The Times alone refused tt
give up the fight. and along toward
noon boisted the intelligence that the
result was in doubt. Like wildfrt
the rumor spread, and at l o'clock
Printing House Square was one mas
Of howiing and shouting men. At
o'clock the Tribune pulled down it
Tilden bulletin and hoisted one tina