Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-10-01
The Back Counties,

fort, annoy ance and disappointment to
the Democrats. The back counties in
Maine, including the rather large
back county of Aroostook, are no ex-
ception to the rule. In the late la
mented election, returns came first
from the cities and more populous
towns, where money had been freely
used by the Democrats, and on these
the Bourbons claimed victory that
foreshadowed the election of Hancock
in November. The average Democrat
always takes his returns hot, swallow
ing them as soon as received, for fear
they will sour on his hands. Election
returns taken in this manner stir q
Democrat to the lowest depths, and all
the enthusiasm of his nature goes off at
half-cock. In this ecstatic mood he
takes the first returns as gospel truth,
and looks upon the later returns as the
invention of Satan himself. In the first
moments of dilrium he finds solace
only in brass bands and whisky, and
when the returns from the back coun-
ties come in he is drunk enough or
reckless enough to venture a remark as
wild as any the Cincinnati Enquirer
ever indulged in.
In Ohio in the early days of October,
1869, it will be remembered, the reac-
tionists among the Republicans, having
ventured on an.eXperiment, met with a
disappointment The returns received
early in the evening indicated such
heavy losses in Republican districts
that the Democrats jumped to the con-
clusion that the Radicals had met their
Waterloo, and indulged in the
most eXtravagant demonstrations
of delight Torchlight professions,
headed by brass bands, paraded
the streets of Columbus, Judge
Thurman and others made con-
gratulatory speeches, and the telegraph
wires were loaded with the wild songs
of Democratic triumph. But in the
small hours of the morning returns
from the back counties, where people
took their Repubicanism straight, came
struggling in to change the face of the
situation and to blast the Democratic
! hope. The Democratic papers had
! all their roosters out the next morning,
| and claimed the State for several days.
In 1872 North Carolina fired the first
gun for the Presidential year The
first reports came, of course, from the
| cities, where the whites were largely in
the majority, and struck upon the
Democratic ear, keenly sensitive to
anything of the kind, as the death
knell Of the Republican party, or words
to that effect. This was in August,
and, although it was known within
twenty-four hours that the Republicans
had carried the State, the Democrats,
under pretense of waiting for returns
from the mountain districts, kept up their
rejoicing over the assumed Republican
defeat. The returns from the back
counties rolled down the mountain sides
in such a way as to make a Democrat
hate the name of North Carolina.
In the same year Indiana was some
what caprcious in October, and, on
the basis of the first returns received,
the Democrats claimed that Grant
would be buried under tremendous
majority in November. When it be-
came apparent that Grants majority
was over 22,00O, Mr.. Hendricks and
his brethren were too full for utterance.
In 1876 Colorado fired one of the first
guns, and the Democrats, ignoring the
complete and official returns, claimed
the State for four weeks. This course
deceived no one, and in the end added
to the humiliation of the originators,
puI IL was PCISloltu III ullIll IL D6cdL1t
ridiculous.
1t is probable that a similar course
will be pursued in regard to Maine.
Over 100000 had been used in the
accessible districts of the State by Mr..
Barnum's agents in the few days pre-
ceding the election. Naturally, this
was used most effectively among the
Iiif-raff of the cities. Returns came
first from the localities where money
had been most freely used and on the
basis of these the Democrats claimed
the overwhelming defeat of the Repub-
licans. When in 1873 the opposition
had II, 757 votes more than the Repub-
licans, the result was not proclaimed as
a great Democratic victory. But when,
on Tuesday morning last, it was an.
nounced that the Fusionists had a posi-.
BILE majority of 1000, the result was q
Republican Waterloo.
But as the returns from points not
accessible to Mr.. Barnum's agents
came, it became apparent that the
Democratic rejoicing was ill-timed
Under ordinary circumstances mer
blessed with common sense would
when faced by such a change in the
current, have prepared to accept tn,
inevitable with as good grace as pos
sible. Instead of doing this the Dem
ocrats plunged deeper into confusion
and, cursing the back counties, still
claimed the State. They will continu,
to do this, probably, until tho Novem
/, ber election. In the meantime, shoulC
the official returns show that the frs
, estimates were incorrect, and that tn,
Republicans have elected Governo
as well as a majority in the Legislature
there will be great amount of howlins
about the back counties indulged in.
Taking the Associate Press returns
which the Democrats accepted as cor
rect, it appears that Davis (Republiean
/. has at least a plurality for Governor
If the new amendment has been adopt
ed, this elects him without further pro
, ceedings. If the amendment has no
been adopted, the election goes to tn
Legislature, which, being Republican
in both branches, makes Davis elec
tion sure. The Legislature elects tn,
: members of the Governors Council
and other State officers, and all thes
will be Republican. Even if Plaiste,
should have plurality (Which is nov
all that is claimed by the Democrats)
and the amendment has not bee
adopted, Davis will be elected by tn
, Legislature.
There is little comfort in the situa
, tion for the Democrats, look at it iron
! what point they will. They. have mad
) themselves ridiculous, and they kno,
it. If it will relieve their distress t
hurl abusive words at old Aroostoo
County, the people will bear with ther
while they engage in this wordy wal
!, fare. 1t will not harm the people G
the back counties, nor will it max
, Maine Democratic State in November
Democratic claims did not make Obi
Democratic in 1869, nor North Carolin
: in 1872. nor Colorado in 1876. The
will not make Maine Democratic now
|, The people will wait for the authent
= Gated and full returns, and against thes
/, the wild talk of enraged and disappoini