The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-14

| fears, the expectations and misgivings OF
the shrewdest judges in the State on the
eve of the battle. 1t is interesting to know
what intelligent citizens of Ohio, who have
followed the canvass most closely, think
of the prospect after both parties
have done their utmost and nothing
remains but to deposit and count
the ballots. The statements which we
print this morning are not what are called
interviews, but declarations of opinion,
drawn up by themselves and signed with
their own names, of the responsible editors
OF the bes< known and most widely circu-
lated journals of Ohio Of both political
parties. To be sure, they are no substitute
for the election returns which we shall re-
ceive at late hour tonight and print to-
morrow morning, but they crafty reason
able public curiosity and may afford some
assistance in interpreting the election re-
turns, if, as so often happens, the figures
received the first night should be frag-
mentary and imperfect. Moreover, these
expressions of opinion by journalists of the
highest standing and intelligence on both
sides have curious and peculiar interest
in their bearing on the possibility of fore
casting the results of IN election by keen
and observant men who possess every
of the votes. Is it possible for the
shrewdest men to tell in advance how a
close and holly contested election is to go?
Are the predictions of sharp sighted OBJ
servers who watch the progress of polit-
ical canvass of any value? The possibility
of well founded election predictions
is curious question indeed, and
when the statements which we print
this morning are compared with the figures
which we expect to lay before our readers
tomorrow it will be seen how trustworthy
or how untrustworthy are the expectations
of intelligent men who have every means
of Judging except the actual votes.
| Mr.. Armstrong, editor Of the Cleveland
Plaindealer, the vigorous and plucky organ
Of the democrats Of Northern Ohio, fur
nishes key for interpreting the views of
all the distin auished Ohio editors, including
himself Mr.. Armstrong says, with admir-
able candor, political prophecies are gen.
orally colored by the hopes and desires Of
the prophets" This observation accords
with human nature. Politicians believe
what they hope. Their wish to inspire con-
fidence in followers induces them too often
to profess belief which they do not enter
tain. But when, on the eve Of an election,
they furnish statements to be printed in q
distant journal, of which copies cannot
come back in season to influence the
result, we may reasonably assume that
the opinions are sincere. The only motives
which can operate at SO late stage OF the
canvass are, first, courteous desire to
oblige o journal which has solicited their
views, and, secondly, q willingness to put
their predictions on record as test of their
political sagacity.
We infer from the views of the we'll
known Ohio editors whose opinions we
have solicited that the chances preponder-
ate in favor Of a republican success in Ohio.
While the republican editors are not with
out their misgivings, their tone is more
hopeful than that of their democratic con-
freres. We cannot 60 over the whole list of
these statements. but taking n few repre-
sentative Ohio journals as samples we can
estimate the drift Of the current.
| Mr.. Murat Halstead, the editor Of the
| Cincinnati Commercial is one of the brightest
| journalists and keenest politicians of the
Buckeye State. Mr.. Halstead is no narrow
! political bigot, but man of the world,
whose genial association with political
| opponents enables him to enter easily into
their points of view, and to avail himself of
their information. In spite of the mercurial
| liveliness of Mr.. Halstead's temper no
man is less subject to illusions. His view of
the Ohio canvass is we'll worth considering;
for oven if the votes should contradict his
estimate they will merely show how inade-
quate is the brightest intelligence, aided by
the best opportunities, to predict election
results in advance.
What has the keen, shrewd, observing,
brilliant and sarcastic Mr. Halstead to tell
us? "Only this and nothing more" that
he comedies bare possibility that the
democrats may carry Ohio. Mr.. Halstead
does not believe that the democrats will
carry the State he thinks the probabilities
are decidedly the other way but the fact
that man SO shrewd and active admits,
against his wishes, that the party he sup
ports may perhaps be disappointed, justi-
fes the people of distant States in holding
their Judgment in suspense until the cleo
ton returns come in.
But Mr.. Halstead, nevertheless, expects a
republican victory, although he is not SAN
guine that, even if Foster should be elected,
the republicans will have the Legislature
ut is possible" says Mr.. Halstead, ''that
the republicans may carry the State by ten
thousand and lose tho Legislature" We
regard this as an admission that unless the
alx,,4 IC,ctar Las. than