Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-23
OHIO POLITICS.
A AOUlETOPENING or THE IMPENDING
CAMPAIGN.
Large Republican Meetings at SteubenVille
and Other POints-The Republican
Plan de 6uene-6eR. Beat
tvs Opinion Of Foster.
corre.poudence Of the Register.


of the respective parties announcing the
formal opening of the campaign in this
State yesterday are apparently un-
satisfactory all around. The opening,
however, was all done by the Repub-
cans, the Democrats standing alOOf to
witness the sport. Secretary Sherman
spoke at Steubenville, Secretary Schurz
at Cincinnati, Mr.. Foster at Akron,
Judge Taft at Cleveland, Cen
eral Beatty at Portsmouth. eS-
Governor DennisOn ut GAINESVILLE,
Julye Lawrence at Sandusky, with
many Others of smallar cSlibre at yarl-
ous other points, making altogether a
splendid display Of orational pyrotech-
mics all along the line. The Democrats,
however. held never meeting, but
seem 10 have decided, at least tor the
present, upon policy OF masterly mac
fivity. But, concerning the opening,
The advisers, as have written, are gem
erally satisfactory. From Republican
sources 10 their headquarters here, the
reports are that the meetings, without
exception, were large and enthusiastic 4;
from Democratic sources to their head
quarters, reports belittle the meetings.
But. all things being equal and party
bia1 mt aside, | am inclined 10 the
opinion that the Republican reports are
more nearly correct, and from natural
rather than political causes that the
meetings have been unusually large.
They were the first meetings
OF campaign which 1t Is con-
celed will be memorable
one in the political annals of the cOun-
try. and curiosity eonduced as much to
their success as party prediction. The
people always turn ont at the initial
meetings Of a campaign, under the au-
spices OF whatever party they may be
given, and the meetings OF Yesterday
proved no exception, save in the mag
nitude of the stars.
Iwrote YOU last week, after an inter
view with Chairman Mckinley, Of the
Democratic Committee, that they had
determined upon a still hunt for the
present, and then expressed doubts a.
10 its wisdom. ! thought however,
thIt the Committee We're IN a better pO-
sitiOn TO Judge what was best tO be
done under the circumstances, and 50
reirained from criticism. But within
the week have heard many complaints
from leading and working Democrats at
the policy which has been adopted by
the Committee, and have myself
come to the conclusion that it
is not only unwise, but criminally fool
ish il success at the election Is the desl-
deratum. Unfortunately for the party,
the Committee, as | wrote at the time
of its organization, il lamentably weak,
the Chairman, Major Frank Mckinney,
being the only member OF u who has had
experience in campaign management.
The other members are not only with
out experience. but are men OF no par
ticular standing in the party, and are
mere nonentities as lar a. accomplishing
ANYTHING is concerned. Ii was generally
believed when the Committee Was con-
stituted that the Thompson faction had
triumphed, and that in view OF that cir
cumstance Jongee wOuld show more mag
nanimity. and turn in and help il out
of the straits i'm which it must inevitably
tind itself, but so far the hope has
proved delusive, and on heIcOntrary he
has failed 10 materialize as an adviser
or i'm any other capacity. The commit
tee are going ahead and working hard,
and doing the best they can under the
circumstances, but tine party at large
lacks confidence in them and soon, hu-
initiating as it will BE-, must send up to
John G.. Thompson the Macedonian cry
"COme over and help US.
The Republican policy in the cam
paign upon which we are just entering
is clearly outlined. Ii is To be an az
gressive one, and they will carry the
work into Africa, so 10 speak. This has
been evidenced from the outset, and
more recent events have confirmed II.
Thoroughly organized in almost every
township, ward and voting precinct OF
the State, they are holding meetings al
most nightly, and are putting forth every
effort 10 make converts as well as 10 at
tract back into the fold the sheep which
have strayed away thereirUm i'm the
past few wears. They have. all the
money they can make use Of. and
speakers and workers hy the legion.
Their tone il bold and confident, but
with il all is much hragaiociO. Tn
doubtedlv they have reason TO feel en-
cOuraged, but they have not got every
thing their own way aS they claim, and
they know il. But they are playing
bold game, and feel that they must haz-
ard all on this election, for defeat now
means certain defeat at the Presidential
election next wear.
On the other hand the Democratic
plan of campaign is rather a Couserya-
live one. Thus far they have assumed
the defensive rather than the offensive,
and while their opponents have been
actively engaged IN the field, have
been quietly holding their own, and
organizing 50 as to be prepared iu
meet the enemy on their own
ground when the time tur decisive
action arrives. They are poor and have
little money 10 expend ami no army of
Federal Oillce-hOlders upon whom to
draw when the little they got Is gone.
IL they win, and firmly believe their
chances of success are very bright, u
will be a victory of the people over the
power of money pure and simple, and
will only tend 10 prove that the dollar,
although mighty is not Omnisclent. The
party spirit is strong among Democrats
who have the traditions of eighty years
TO point to and these and party pride
generally serve 10 hold them % their
loyalty. But this is all the party has To
RELY upon, while the Republicans have
effected strong and powerful Organlza-
tiOn with which 10 govern their adher-
ents. 80 that II victory does come To
the Democrats this tall it will be- a
victory of unOrganized masses over 4
strong and powerful organization.
All, however, is not lovely i'm the Re
publican ranks. General Beatty, who
will be remembered as having led the
detection of Stalwart Republicans two
years ago, ON account OF the party's en-
dorsement Of the Administration, and
who was only brought back into full
communion by much persuasion and
many promises, does not like Foster,
their candidate for Governor. While
still i'm Congress, Mr.. Foster Was chair
man of the committee which was sent
10 Louisiana TO effect a compromise be-
tween the two factions, and as result
of his mission, the Federal troops were
withdrawn and the State passed into the
bonls of its ri0htful gOVernment-that